The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-11-06
From Oregon and Washington Ter
pitOrics.

| IitOflCS.
The BATTLE OF THE Foun LAKES "-DErEAT
! AND LOSS OF TUE INDIANS SIGNAL VICTORY
OF THE UNITED STATES TROOPS.
The advices from Oregon and Washington
Territories fully confirm the report of bril-
liant engagement with the Indians, at the
four Lakes, IN the Spokan country. (,hc scene
Of Col Steptoe's reycrSe) in which the govern
mcnt forces. under Col Wright, gained sig.
nal victory on the tSt Of September.
The enemy Numbered from three to five
hundred warriors from the Spokans, Pcl0use
and Cour d 'Alcne Tribes. Suall dctachmnts
of Indians had for ten days before the fight
been watching and annoying the troops, but
when pursued would retire beyond reach.
On the 3lst August. party fred the grass
in the rear Of the train, while the column was
on the march and under cover of the smoke
made an attack, but the rapid dcploymcnt of
the troops Capt Winder's riles) prevented
the conplishment of any Oh icct. Small
parties were kept in sight only to deceive the
troops with regard to their strength. They
had prepared strong position for attack
with their whole force about mile from the
camp Of the troops, on the line of their sup
posed route in advancing on the LIST Of Sep
TENDER, where the tain passes through de-
file.
On the morning Of the lst, the parties Of
the enemy on the hill increased in number;
and expecting the troops to be de"oycd into
the ambus'adc, they were defiant and inso-
lent, and invited attack. Little delay was
had. Half an hour later the dragons, four
companies Of artillery, one section of the how
itZet battery. and the two rifle companies
were ordered out. One company of artillery,
under licuterants Gibson and Dandy, de-
tschment Of dragons and the guard consist.
ing Of about fifty men, were left in the camp
to guard it.
The dragons, under command of Major
Grier, started first, marching around the base
Of the hill al the eft The body of friendly
Indians (Nez Perces) under the direction of
Lieut., Mullan (Top engineer to the command)
started next up the hill to the right. Then
came Col Wright, commanding with lis
staff, followed by Capt. Keys, commanding
the third artillery, with Lieut.. Lawrence Kip,
adju'ant If the artillery battalion, and the
third artillery the rifles, and the howitzcr
battery.
The Dragons reached the top of the hill,
first driving the enemy Off and holding it until
the foot soldiers could arrive. On their
way up, Colonel Wright received an express
from Major Grier that the Indians were col
ccl,d III large numbers (about 500, it was
thought at the foot Of the hill, apparently
prepared TO fight. Captain Keys immediate
ly advanced his battalion rapidly forward,
ordering Captain ODDS company to the left
to be drploycd as skilmiShcrs. Upon reach
ng The top Of the hill, they found the dra
soons, as skirmshcrs, keeping the Indians
in play, until they could he relieved by the
artillery and rifles.
When the command was concentrated on
the hill, the rifles were ordered to dcpoy
down 10 the night and drive the Indians out
VI the woods, while hJwilZer battery, under
Lnut. White. supported by al" artillery COM
pany, under Lit. Tyler were ordered to charge
at the left of the lillcs. These orders were
most ga!lantly performed, and after sharp
tight the Indians were driven from the woods
At this time the scene was exceedingly fine.
The plain below and the slope of the hills
was covered with the enemy. Numbering, it
was thought, about 500. The troops had
been formed into line, more than mile long
which advanced with all the precision of a
parade firing as they went. AS they moved
steadily forward, delivering Il most effective
fire, the enemy fell back, and many took refuge
in Ia wood at the left Here they were charg.
cd by Lieut. Ranson, with company G. of the
third artillery, and afte: short struggle dis
logged.
Altcr 'he enemy haa occn hfiVen partly
ac'osa 'l'e pam, 'ne "'aSooi's PASSED. tnrousf,
the intervals of the companies. and charged
them III the most Splendid sly lie, driving them
nv" w, " '""e ,''"sc III 'hc oPp"S',e hlls.
ne" ,''' Ai''''e'! COMPANIES ana noW''zer
0"'''s "H"'', PASSED. 'le'n ui''ii'S 'he indl-
ans oyer ''r h''lS' h'h 'hc route was entire
"''I vac en- NY "l'i'ou' "'''''p''S again 70
, IT ''e"u Sca''Ie,' ':''o"7" 'l'e "o'a" ana
o'o",', r'o'''''' ""t'e C''! cou'u ''"' oe@oi.
,o"t" ~ 'ne troops. IN" a>' Stlot WAS iired
~ ~. nv" t"e' '"t''y' '',ioN '''s ShcIi INTO
nsao"P' ".''cn mos '''c'n"l'y scattered
''' W. ni'e' II naming some 'i'''e' ana no
'h''''i appearing we ,eca'l was sounded
anu we ,inops "'n'ci,'u b''N 10 camp our
Is ,"I ~, ;e ,'u,",' 'o're vi was uv.h oacN
auout 'l'et '''.'t ga anu haI,. Inc h4'hs COM
could be Judged. about five hundred all snlen.
ddly mounted and well armed. A large