Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-07-19
The Indian Battle in Observation-Disclosures Of
the Defeat OF Col. Steptoe.

The Indian Batfle in Oregons-Parttculsrs OF
the Defenr OF Col. Stept0e.
OREGON papers of the sth Of juno give the
particulars of the defeat Of Col. SteptOe and
force of U. S. troops by the sPOkan Indians,
with the loss of ten killed and ten wounded
1t appears by the letter of an officer engaged in
the battle, that on the 9th of May Col SteptOe
with two companies of dragons, seventy-five
men of 9Th infantry with two mountain howit-
zcrs, left Fort Wslla Walla for COville. Alter
marching eight days the force reached Pe!Ouse
river, and were about passing into the SPokan
country. The SPokan Indians, heretofore
friendly, notified the officers that they should re-
sst the entrance of the troops into their country.
Notwithstanding this, the troops left camp on
the 10th, and at II O'Clock met six hundred Spo-
kan warriors in war costume. They were well
mounted, principally armed with rifles. The
Indians were prepared to resist any crossing of
the Spokan river, and without exchanging shots
tie Dragons were kept in their saddles until
the setting sun dispersed the Indians. The next
morning the troops advanced, and at s O'Clock
the Indians appeared in great numbers about the
rear of the column, and Just as the advance was
crossing small stream they began firing In
twenty minutes the firing became continuous,
and portion of the troops, after close race,
gained commanding hill position the Indians
were making for. The account says
At this tine the action was general; the three
companies, numbering in all about ITO men,
were warmly engaged with five hundred lndi-
ans. The companies were separated from each
other nearly thousand yards. and fought en-
tirely by making short charges. AT IL o'clock
| was reinforced by the howitzers, and the two
companies began TO move towards the position
| held, the Indians pressing closely upon them
As Z company was approaching a large body Of
Indians got between il and my company, - that
having it between two fires, they could wipe it
out at once. Castor perceived this, moved
quickly toward me, having the Indians in his
front, and when near enough, and saw he was
about to charge, charged with II company
The result was that our companies met, having
the Indians in a right angle, in which angle We
left twelve dead Indians.
After getting together, we kept up the fight
for h IF an hour, and again started to reach the
water, moving half mile under constant and
and CASTOR fell We finally reached a bill near
the water and occupied the summit, and the In
dians having now completely surrounded it, We
dismouuted and pieketed our horses close to-
gether on the center cf the fat-inclined summit,
and posted our men around the crest, making
them lie flat on the ground, as the Indians were
so close and so daring as to attempt to charge
the hill, but, although ontnnmberiDg Us eight 10
one, they could not succeed.
Toward evening, our ammunition began to
give out, and our men suffering so much from
thirst and fatigue, required all our attention 10
keep them rp. To move from one point 70 an
other, we had 10 crawl on our hands and knees,
amid the howlirg of the Indians, the grOans of
the dying. and the whistling Of ball and arrows.
We were kept in this position until O'Clock,
p. NJ, when, as night came on, it became appa-
rent that on the morrow we must ''go under"
and that not one Of US would escape. Il was
plain that, nearly destitute of ammunition, we
were completely surrounded by six OF eight hun
dred Indians, and most of these on points which
we must pass to get away. Therefore, it was
determined TO run the gauntlet, so that if pos
sible, some might escape. Abandoning every
thing, we mounted and left the hill at 9 o'clock,
and, after a ride of ninety miles, mostly at gal
lOp, and without a rest, we reached Snake river
at Red Wolf Crossing, the next evening, and
were met by ouc friends the Nsz Perees. We
had two officers, five men, and three friendly
Indians killed, and ten men wounded: Sergeant
Ball, of II Company, missing. The Sergeant
distinguished himself very much during the ae-
ton, and we all hope he will yet come in.
Capt. Taylor was shot through the neck, and
Lieut. CASTOR through the body; they both fell
fighting galIantly. The companies fought
bravely, ike true men. We Brought our horses
back in good condition, except about thirty,
which were shot during the fight. The Indians
made no captures Before the battle was near
over, the Indians picked up nine Of their dead;
how many Of them were killed is not known.
but can count fifteen; they acknowledge hav-
ing forty wounded.
1t viii take Z thousand men 10 90 into the
SPokan country.