The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-16
THE INDIAN HosrILiTIKs.

THE INDIAN HosrILITIKs.
~o1>>v~UO>co,>>~.>>~rc|~
Here Particulars eG ths Dssset u Coasnea
sssptos's CsAuasd-A pprsheusasns u . &C.
neral Indian wsr-Necessity FOR Malisaxy
ReiHIsxcemsnts, sc.
OFFICIAL DxsPAr0H TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, July Is, 1858.
ma War Dapsr,ment has received official dispatches,
saspg thas Cssouel Stspoe with commsnd Of fve COM
ss,oael officers and hundred and ntytwo rank and
H. was asaok defeated by large body OF Indiana on
sAs I'm Nay about eighty ve miles north Of the spokan
Jiyer Tse battle lasted from seven in the morning to
uAer, time before sunset, when, the ammunition being
nearly exhausted and the musquetoons being nearly me
iess against the enemy, retreat and forced march 70
ne crossing Of the spoxAn river became necessary
The following were killed or had died Of their
wouuds-
Byevel Captain O. q. p. Taylor.
Second Lieutenant W. Gsst0n.
First serge.n, ". G, williams.
Prtvstee A. Barnes, v. G. de May, e. II. aHw1sn,J'
C,ossssI
H. Ncntreyille, ii. Snjsker,
j. Npch o. A. hammond
w. Moon,
WOUNDED SILENTLY.
Maurice Harley, G. Benger,
G. hughes, j. KAY.
Through The kindness OF gentleman Of this city, We
have been furnished with the following letter received
srom one Of his correspondents Oregon giving ad
aena particulars in regard 70 the battle between tho
Indians Of Washington Territory and the det,oament Of
troops under the command of Col. Steptoe:-
PORTLAND, Oregon, June 2, 1858.
Since ny hast letter to you, Territory has again be-
excited by the alarming intelligence OF another and
yory serious outbreak among the Indians east Of the Cas-
ssde mountains has always been tho opinion Of we'll
informed persons that the last war only temporarily Al
Ayea hosties the Part OF the Indians, and that all
he tribes in that extensive country, always disaected
md dissatisfied, were making powerful combination
against the operations Of the government forces Fort
vAna walla established In 1857 important point
nearest adjoining the first hostile tribe, and COM
handing position for operations against them ALL send
you herewith rough draught which, you interest
- the subject win give you some idea Of the scene Of
the recest engagement and Of surrounding localities
send you also accompanying several newspaper accounts
Of Colonel stepoes Hsht Up TO This date have only
me Drst sfcal account, written haste Immediately after
the Co'oneis defeat, and furnishing with but mesgre
account Of the affair.
Colonel Sseptoe hada good reliable force and
nenced hie summer campaign confident Of his ability
punish any ordinary band Of Indians that he might meet
Frequent ac.s of violence in the immediate vicinity Of
Fort walls wslla had compelled some demonstration
the troops and hence the object Of the campo
A yoa win perceive by the accounts he met by the
largest Of Indian thai has given battle
oar troops since the late OF 1872 The from
I'll The officers engaged in the fight agree that they fought
with such effectiveness and determination TO
psV,rac.sd and expensive military operssioa subius
them Colonel Ssptoe estimates that not less than twelve
bvsdred warriors engaged in the fight during the
ny The escape Of hn command almost miraculous.
ne twelve hundred Indians are, too but small portion
q ihoee Avowedty hostile in that country The effect Of
svch victory troops will influence thu Wsia
Walas use, Eez Perces Korancis, Fstheads, Black
Tea and osher Tribes always opposed 10 the occupancy Of
their country by the whites, 10 open hoses and then
viii be difficult properly estimate the extent Of their
power. Even nov vs look with much anxiety for tho
news from Fort wa waa, fearful thai The post may be
beu4gea BY overwhelming force and destroyed 1hs
defeat Of Colonel Stepoe repulse the sacri
10 81 two valuable officers and several In
1aeenept, has precedent In recent history o
indian warfare
he regular force In this military department Is very
small asd entirely inadequate operate against this out
break 10 until renforcemeuts arrive the establish
ne.t p screased BY other means the troops viii remain
inactive. nsvery unfortunate that 20 removed
from army headqusres the present the proper
Of the for campaign In thai country Before
ne Secretary Of wr become advised and the
proper measures tn this exgency wiz be 90 late that no
Az you can imagine much excitement exists fol-
lpvipg This eveut throughout the whole country.
Unlike shs preceding war, however, the peace of the
nssUu rentor,es viii not be- disturbed. he indus.
wal pRrsuhs Of the people will not be nterfered
~ or is commerce for You win recosc, that the scene
o The present and future military operations will be In
psrOp Of The country but spsrsely peopled The villa
ette Valley far removed from the Indian difficulties
any fears Of Inv ssioo In addition 10 this thore
disposition upon the part Of cur people TO take any
% sSo Sss. interests Of the country By The aid iarnsSed
from among the people, and with claim Of six millions ~
dollars row before Congress- uDssssaed and the expert
Of their last volunteer service esh In the country
memory, there fixed determination 20 let the general
government have the whole matter in their keeping
THIS the settled policy OF all parties, freely and openly
svowed, and, ] think, a very proper and wholesome
policy
10 conjecture. For such this promises ~ be,
unlsss Utah troubles brought 10 q speedy term
nation the EAst cannot furnish vs. aod bore we have
sAe report here Tia. the Morons have evacuated Sa
Lake City, and that there hope of srrNng sment
bowen them and the government sheuli ibis prove
this from Yah 70 oregon and reach hore before
The winter very far advanced. That they will be d.
ter force IN oregon alone Is practically impossible;
under any be done. The hcadauar
snS apv .sos ssr q ~
must await his orders. doubt very much II he IN en-
powered any event Of consideration for he good Of
public service, 10 RAISE force this General
Wool when stationed here, learn no such authority
and have not heard Of any change in the army policy.
JuSs Z, 1883.
received last night, from oacer Mort ws,a wsla,
. letter giving me detailed account Of the fight he
rays hat Jest before the engagement Father Joseph,
he Catholic priest OF the Cnur dAlenes indans ap.
preached and announced that The Indians attracting
then towards IN ambuscade with q view 70 cut off his
entire command; that The tribes in thai country had
derstood thai the government fitting out expedi
ton 10 survey military road from Fort Waila waa 70
Fsrt Benton the Missouri river, and thu they would
resist and M and that all the Indians In tnA.
Try would unite in resisting and preventing any such
terprRe rhis them 70 be the osensoe object OF
hostiluce have also letter from another officer Just
from Warrington who was ordered In charge OF the
vey OF The road He says: cool stcptoc furnish
him with The nccessary escort and that bis operations
~ an end me latest news from Fort waa walla re-
presents The Indians having crossed Snake and
advancing upon waIla waa. Each additional arrival
Srcn thai quarter gives serious aspect 70 affairs
there.
Army News from the Pacific.