Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-07-15

COLONEL STEPToE'S DEFEAT.-The advices
from Oregon confirm the reported defeat of Col.
Steptoe's command, in Oregon. He had E and
III companies lst Dragons, and twenty-five
men of 9th Infantry, with two mountain how
itzers, with whom he left Fort Walla-W ALA for
Colville on the 18th inst. The officers of the COM
mand were Col. Steptoe, Capts. Winder and
Taylor, Lieuts, Wheeler, Fleming, CASTOR and
Gregg. On the 18th they reached Pelouse river,
and were surprised to learn that the Spokane
Indians would resist their march through their
country. They had an interview with six hun
bred mounted Indians on the next day. when
the report of the unfriendlness Of the latter
was confirmed.
On Monday, the 18th, the troops set out to
return to Pelouse river, and were attacked by
the Indians with great vigor, and with the odds
of or to one against the troops, and under
the disadvantage of the latter being separated.
Finally, the troops were brought together, and
posted on the summit Of a hill, where they
fought until night, when their ammunition
gave out. They then retreated on horseback
leaving everything behind, to the crossing of
Snake river at the Red Wolf, where they ar
rived on Tuesday evening, and were met by
large body of Nez-Perces Indians, who inter-
posed, and, it is said, saved them fro IN their
pursuers.
They had two officers, five men, and three
friendly Indians killed ten men wounded Ser
geant Ball Of II company missing. Captain
Taylor was shot through the neck, and Lieut.
CASTOR through the body they both fell fight
ing gallantly. The companies fought bravely.
Thirty horses were shot during the fight
The synopsis of the official account of this
lamentable affair is as follows
Col Steptoe with a command of q we commits
stoned officers and one hundred and fifty two rank
and file, was attacked and defeated by a large
body of Indians-Spokanes, Occur d'AIenes, Pa
louise, Yakemas, and parts of some other tribes
on the 18th May, 1855, about ely y-fve miles
officers killed, eighteen non-commissioned off,
GERS and six privates killed and wounded The
battle lasted from seven O'Clock in the morning
to short time before sunset. The ammunition
being nearly exhausted, and the muskatoons Of
two companies nearly useless against the enemy :;
retreat and forced marc to the crossing Of Snake
river became necessary.
The following Is list of killed and wounded
KilIed.-Brevet Captain Oliver Fl Z. TAYLOR
LIST Lieut. LIST dragons; Second Lieut., VIM. Gas
ton, LIST Dragons; Private Alfred Barnes com
pany G. LIST dragons; privates Chas III. Harnsh
and James CroSsett company II LIST dragons
Disd Of their roHnds:-First Sero cant Wm c.
Williams, Company r., LIST dragons; Private
Victor Hugo De Nav, Company G. LIST dragons
WOHmded:-Farrier, Elijah r Birch Company
c, LIST dragons, slightly; Priva,es, Henry Mon
tTeville and James Lynch, Company C., lst dra-
2oons, severely; VIM. MicJn and Hernia Sinks
ter, Company f., lst dragons, severely; Maurice
Hurley, James Heaiy, Charles Hughes, James
Kelly and John Mitchell, Company L., list dra-
goons. slightly; Osmond w. Hammond, Co f.,
9th infantry, severely; GOttleib BeD9rr and John
klay, Company f, 9th infantry, slightly.