Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-10-30
THE BATTLE OF THE "FOUR LAKES,

the battle Of the Four Lakes, together with the
ofhcial dispatches of the commanding officers
From the different letters we collate the follow.
ing account:
Col. Wright's column was detained two dav.
at Fort Taylor, by violent rains; thew then took
two days to cross the river with the supplies
ineir march for the three following days was a
toiisome one, as the command was pushed for
ward With all possible rapidty.
August 80, the Indians were first seen. Just
after they got into camp. two Of the Nez Perces
rode IN, announcing that body of Spokans
were approaching The dragons at once sad
died their horses, and held them ready 10 start
AZ q mement notice. About half an bour
after, shots were heard exchanged between the
outPosts and the hostile, when the companies
turned out, but before they got under arms the
Indians retreated. ''''
during the next days march, n small body of
iorty or nifty mounted warriors kent in sight ALI
Day. These (ss was afterwards found TO he the
case were supposed to be scouts from the main
BODY. whenever the dragons deployed TO-
wards them, they took to flight at once. Just
oeiore getting into camp at night, they rode up
near tne rear guard, set FIRE to the grass, and
hred few shots. Capt Keyes at once ordered
out Capt. Winder's company of rifles 10 deniov
across the rear OF the company, at right angles
10 company deployed on the right and an.
otner on the left Of the column, thus forming
rectangie about the train. The grass was Too
green 10 burn long, and the Indians retreated
sOoI SS tnelr hre was returned. On encamp-
ing, Col. wright determined to remain there
two or three days, to allow the men and ami.
mas 70 recover from their fatiguing march.
sept AT daylight body of Indian scouts
was seen on hill to the right of the camp ON
tne Lookout At 8 o'clock, orders were issued
70 nave the artillery battalion in perfect order,
tney might be called out at any moment.
nan an hour later, the dragons, four comma.
nles of artillery, one section of the bowi,fs-
oattery and the two rifle companies, were or.
aered out. One company of artillery. under
Its 6ibson and Dandy, a detachment of dra-
goons and the guard, consisting of about fifty
men, were left IN the camp to guard it,
Inc Dragons, under command of Maj. Grier,
s. started nrst' marching around the base of the
nlIl at the left. The body Of friendly Indians,
(NeE Perces) under the direction of Lit. Null
tan, Cop: Engineer to the commandO started
next up the hill to the right. Then came Col.
wright, commanding, with his staff. followed
oy oapt heys, commanding the Third Artil-
iery, with 1t. Lawrence Kip, Adjutant of the
Artillery Battalion, and the Third Artillsrv
tne hlnes and the howitzer battery.
Inc dragons reached the top of the hill, frst
orivlng the enemy of and holding it until the
loot soldiers could arrive. On their way mn.
Col. wright received an express from Major
urlef tnat tne Indians were collected in large
numbers (aoout 800 1t was thought at the foot
OF the hill, apparently prepared to fight. Can
tain heys immediately advanced his battalion
rapidly forward, ordering Capt Ord's companv
to the left, to be deployed as skirmisbers. On
reaching the top OF the hill they found tie dra-
goons, as skirmishers, keeping the Indians in
play until they could be relieved by the artiI-
lery and rifles
when the command was concentrated ON the
NH, the rides were ordered to deploy down 10
the right and drive the Indians out of the wood
"niIe tne nowltzer battery, under Lit White,
supported by an artillery company. under 1t
Iyier, were ordered to charge at the left of the
formed, and after a sharp 6ght the Indian.
were driven from the woods
AT this time, the scene was exceedingly fine
Inc PLAIN below and the slope of the hills was
covered with the enemy, numbering about 500.
Ihe troops had been formed into line. more
tnah mile long, which advanced with all the
precision OF parade, firing as they went. AS
they moved steadily forward, delivering most
enecuye hre, the enemy fell back, and many of
them took refuge in a wood at the left. Here
tney were charged by Lit. Ransom, with Com
Pany u, OF the Third Artillery, and after a
short struggle, dislodged
After the enemy had been driven partlv
across the plain, the dragons pas ed tbronab
the intervals of the companies, and charged
them In the most splendid style, driving them
over 70 take refuge in the opposite hills Then
tne artillery companies and howitzer batteries
passed them again, driving the Indians over
tne nlils, Wnen the route was entire, and the
enemy, without again attempting 10 make
head, scattered through the woods and broken
grounds, where they could not be followed by
the troops. The last shot was fred by the
hoeitzer battery, throwing n shell into group,
which most efectually scattered them After
remaining some time, and no enemy appearing,
the recall was sounded, and the troops marched
back to camp.
During the SIGHT, the Indian force was driven
oack about three miles and half, the firing
commencing about mile aud a half from Camp.
and ending about FIVE miles off
The hostile Indians numbered, as near as
could be Judged, about FIVE hundred, all splen-
dldly mounted and we'll armed. large num-
Der Of trophies were taken, in the shape of
bows and arrows, buffalo robes, provisions, and
horses. ltwas amusing TO see the troops re-
turning with their spoils. One officer had two
buffalo robes and blanket wrapped around
himself and horse.
Strange TO say, not an officer or man on our
.lde was hurt, although some Of them had bull
lets through their caps, and a dragon horse
was shot. The long ride muskets took the In
disns very much BY surprise
Ihe tribes engaged In the fight we're the Spo-
ksns, PeluLe and C9ur 4 Allenes What was
their loss It Is impossible to say, as being all
mounted, they rush forward and carry of those
who fell. Eighteen dead bodies however were
been large. Our allies the Nez Perces, took
number of scslps, which they brought into
camp, where they had grand dance ON their
return
About one-half the men had never before
been under FIRE, bus the officers all say that
they had never seen finer discipline or more
gallant conduct than they evinced The spirit
OF the hostile tribes must now be broken, when
they ind themselves deprived Of the prestige
they supposed they had won by their defeat of
Col Steptoe.
The whole arrangements Of Col. Wright in
command Of this expedition, have been mo
admirable. His efficient measures will crush
this outbreak and tesch the northern tribes a
Lesson Wbica they will not soon forget Next
10 him must be mentioned Capt Keyes. who
commands the 81 Artillery, as no field officer
is with the regiment His untiring efforts
during the last three months have brought the
regiment to height and perfection Of disci
pline which We believe is unsurpassed in our
~ha "a h. GoIl Al.