The Washington union., 1858-06-29
IMPORTANT NEWS FROM WASH.
INGT0N TERRITORY.
DEFEdT OF COL sTEPTOE BY TIE IN.
DIdNS

We have been favored by Gov Stevens the delegate
from Washington Territory with copies of papers from
that Territory furnishing the only particulars that have
yet reached Of this important and disastrous event
No Official confirmation of this has reached the de-
rartment but assured that the sources Of inor-
nation concerning this affair entirely trustworthy,
and that there is doubt its general accuracy
correspondent Of Gov Stevens at Olympia, Washing
ton Territory. under date Of May 2sth, says:
% hasten to drop you line the steamer is hourly
expected have only time to say that the rca-
tive to the defeat of Col Steptoc doubtless Three
gentlemen just from Vancouver have arrived and confirm
the report of yesterday. . have no doubt
but that the Colyle Spokane Cceur d Aiene Palouse
Yakima, Nez Percez Walla-Wala, and Cayuse bands
have combined received letter from Colville valley
this morning in which informed that the Colvine
Indians say they must have Iendeayored to get
company Of dragons stationed there last surn,ocr and
had sss,ranscs from Col Wright, through Col steptoc
that they should at least visit that country but without
any good in my belief, they failed to comply If
they had visited the country believe that ii would
have had the effect to quiet the Indians
lFrom tho olympia Pioneer and Denoers,, Nar ssl
Just getting paper ready for the press ,
lhursday aernoon) express arrived from the head
quarters OF Col Steptoe in the Smcoe valley with dis
patcaes for Lieut. Col Casey and letters to his Excellen
cy Gov McMullin, informing them Of the defeat the
10th inst at the first crossing Of Snake river about 80
miles above its junction with the Columbia Of the
mand Of Col. s. The command consisted OF FIVE COM
panles or tour hundred men. The Indians reported
having been fifteen hundred strong and composed Of
the Snake, Palouse, and other tribes. The action
suited in three ocers and fifty killed Two Of the
officers killed Capt Wynders and Lieut. cascn The
Indians took two howtzan which belonged to the
nand, and all but sixty pack animals In fact,
plcc is said to have been the rou that the officer in
command was compelled to fall back with the utmost
precipitation The battle took place while the regulars
were in the act Of crossing the river.
Col. Stcptoe had proceeded into the Snake country
necessary. The object of his visit was probably of
similar character with that Of Major Haller, three
years since, and which resulted in ike unfortunate
manner. Major H., readers will remember pro
ceeded thence with force Of hundred and four men,
and in peaceab!e manner demanded the murderers Of
the cinigrants Of 1a5f The result that instead of
bringing to Justice these deredators and nurdcre he
brought home the bodies of twenty Of his command
killed or wounded, on litters
From the stcilsccom Herald, Puget sound May ashl
Mr. Fitxharris who brought dispatches last evening
for Fort Stcacoom informs that engagement
took place Snake River about sixty miles from Walla
Walla on the 10th instant in which Col Stcptoc with
four companies three of dragons and one Of infantry
countcred some fifteen hundred Indians-Snakes, Spo-
kans, and Puloosas
After spirited fight on both sides, Col Steptoe was
forced to retreat with the loss of fifty prate and three
officers; Captain Windcr Lieut. Gasden, and another
Whose name learned Col. Steptoe also lost
howitsers besides twenty-five baggage magons and all his
animals except sixty horscs In his train two hun
dred and fifty mules
This Is all we can learn at present. In next We
hope to be able to publish the full particulars Of this
battle.