, 1858-10-08

September l6, 1858.
EDIToR OREGoNIAN-Yo last heard Of
the expedition against hostile Northern In
dians from our camp at the Four Lakes,
since which we have passed through scenes
of much interest, and of an exciting char
acter. The battle of the Four Lakes,
fought Sept. lst, compelled the command
to rest in camp until the morning of the
9TH, when we resumed our march for the
Spokane river, over the Spokane Plains
Early ON the march the Indians had assem-
bled to five or six hundred, and soon
evinced o determination to impede our
progress and give us battle. Our column
being closed, and train well guarded, the
foot companies of artillery were thrown out
on either flank, under Capt. Keys; the
howiizer, under Lieut. White, placed in
position, with Capt. WiRder's company
supporting it; dragons, under Maj Grier,
held back Soon a volley from the enemy
announced that the battle had begun, but
not before they had formed third Of a
circle around u.s. and at every point set
fire to the grass, and the wind blowing
high and against us, soon the command
was enveloped in FIRE and smoke, which af-
forded complete cover for the enemy,
who, taking advantage Of it, fred volley
after volley. Soon the advance was sound
ed, and the men, now flushed with the sue
cess and victory at the -Four Lakes, each
determined that our enemy should either
leave the field or bite the dust. Emerging
from the smoke and fame, which was now
enveloping and threatening the whole train,
they showed fine proofs Of the ler tGIiOnis,
and poured volley after yoley, which told
with deadly effect, and drove the enemy
from the Plain to the timber, which lay to
their rear about fourth Of mile. The
howitzer moving up under Lieut.. White,
under the general direction Of Lieut.. Null
Ian, moved down the enemy and drove him
in dismay from cover TO cover, doing as
much damage by frightening them by its
whistliDg and explosion as by its more
deadly effects. The column and train be-
ing well guarded, Capts. Ord and Hardie,
Lieuts. Tyler and Gibson are deployed
through the timber, which now swarmed
with the red devils, believing and yelling
like fends from Hades. Lieut.. Gregg,
with one company Of dragons, follows in
the rear on the left, and Maj. Grier, with
bis own and Lieut.. Pender's company, on
the right, each awaiting a favorable mo
ment, when the enemy would move into q
more open region, to charge down with
their commands which had already dealt
such deadly blows in the battle of the
-Four Lakes. The enemy takes cover be-
hind trees and stones, and lie concealed
in dangerous, difficult ravines and canyons;
but men never moved more steadily or
confronted danger more terrible in better
order, than did the troops Of the Sd artil-
lery. But steadily, unwavoringly, as in a
drill, they advanced, halted, fred, scaled
difficult wall Of pedrigal, and drove the In
dians from cover to cover till the woods for
four miles were cleared to the right and
left. The firing was warm on zach side,
and the Indians were now flying In confu-
sion to our front, but still 10th to leave the
field to Us and marshaling their now scat
tered fragments, determined once more to
contest for what they had now lost, and
with this view, groups Of from four to
twenty gathered at points in our front.
But before this took place, finding favor
able occasion, Maj Grier, with bis squad
ron OF his own and Lieut.. Pender's com
pany, sounds the charge, and like lightning
the now anxious men and horses move
over the ground, aud soon oVertake, cut
down, and leave upon the field an enemy
that was SO exulting. But they had not
yet left the field, but as the woods skirted
US on all sides, they gathered in their scat
tered fragments and once more came TO the
attack. Again troops are thrown out To
right and left, and again we moved stsadi-
ly onward and drove them again before us,
and the command continued to fight for
seven consecutive honrs over line Of six
teen miles, without water, and firing at
every point.
We killed two chiefs, and many other
Indians, wounded large number, and
killed and captured many horses. On one
Of the dead bodies was found by Lieut.. Ty-
ler's company the pistol worn by Lieut..
CASTOR in Steptoe's battle, his horse, sad
die and oil falling booty to the com
pany.
About four o'clock the command struck
the Spokane river, much exhausted and
broken down. Only one man was wounded
in the fight, none killed; which may be re-
garded as the most wonderful thing on
record, for the firing by the enemy was
warm and long. But our long-ranged ri
Aes placed them at great disadvantage,
and they had to give way before US. We
made camp on the Spokane, where, being
much exhausted, we rested the next day to
recruit men and animals. Never did~men
fight bolder or braVer The blood Of men
slain without cause or provocation seemed
to impel each individual soldier to q surer
aim, aud with determination to make