, 1858-12-10
PUGET SOUND HERALD.
sTEMACooM, W. T., DEC. 10, 1858.
THE WAR IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY
IMPORTANT sUGGESTIONs.

"
army in Oregon, who is of rank and has much
experience in that country, to his friend in this
city, giving views in relation to the Indian war
in Oregon and Washington, and containing in
formation in relation to the theatre of operations,
which will be of general interest to our readers:
accordingly We have permission to give the FOL-
lowing extracts. 1t is dated Sept. 9th 1855:
1.-TWO corps are in the field, operating against
the Indians, one on the west side Of tho COlum-
bis RIVER, under Garnctt traversing that region
with all the energy Of his character, and with
some success though he has lost an officer, killed
by accident by. his own men, Garnctt, how
ever, has just and right notions; is opposed TO
talking now, and treats those who have COM
promised themselves recently, in any way, as
laa breakers, and puts them to death. We
hear this morning that he was at the OGena-
kan River, and had killed five hostics-how, We
know not"
"Col Wright crossed the Snake some twelve
days since, but rs yet VIC have no news Of him.
The Indians threaten to fight; believe they
will, and that shall have stirring news from
that quarter sOon The colonel has fine COM
mand, and will give good account Of himself
il the enemy will accept ba;tlt. We hear the
Indians ahead of Col Wright have burned the
country on all sides, and hence he will have
great hardshps to encounter, but, believe, is
resolutely disposed to meet them. The lateness
Of the season is also a serious obstacle to very
fruitful campaign. | am in favor Of winter
campaign after the present one, and so is Garnctt,
who has urged his vieusebN department hea,-
quarters"
The writer then states HAT il the commands
now in the field under Col Wright and Major
Garnett, after having sevcrally traverscd the
hostile districts and sought battle with the In
dians, should be marched back to Walla-Walla
and imcoc, thence TO be Dispersed in the di.
rcction of Vancouver for winter quarters, leaving
only the regular garriSons to occupy these points
the companies brought down to Vancouver will
bo involved in lanl march Of full 600 miles
and Il will be quite as late as May before opera
tons can be resumed Such an arrangement Of
the troops, the writer says, would be the result
Of "mistakcn notions Of true economy of mill
tary administration" for il would be supposing
"that the troops could be withdrawn to Nancou-
yer and the Dalles, and be subssted for less than
may otherwise be done; the contrary Of which,
believe, can be shown
AS yon well know, only for some six weeks
Of id.wintcr is the weather rigorous in all this
region, from here to Walla Wa!!a in that grrat
valley, and beyond Snake, on the great plain Of
the Columbia River. But in the nountains tlle
Bitter Root as well as the Cascade range the
snow falls very deep and remains as late as May,
at least, making the Indians seek meanwhile, for
their stock especially low sheltered valleys,
which are all well known. Driven once from
these winter resorts, they must lose their horses
SO essential to them in war; anG the chances are
all souls not captured or slain must perish on
the mountains the rigors Of which they are by
no means proor against. Positions could be
taken favorable for approaching these resorts in
due season; and be assured winter camraisn
is practicable and the true ways to operate
against these rcvoltcd tribes north Of Snake
River"
"Be this so or not, however, point surely
should be occupied in force during the winter in
Colvie valley. Thus we should hold position
in rear Of large portion Of the hOstiCs-nam,ly
the Ceur d-Alens, Spokans, Pelouse, &c.-and
between these and their allies on the west banks
Of the Columbia from the Okinakanc River to
the north, and Indians beyond the boundry line,
who arc doubtless involved in the war. This
Colve valley is the key to very much Of the
whole hostile district, the fountain head Of hos.