, 1858-09-24
THE EATR VICTORY OF COL. WRIGHT !!
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
PROSPECT OF ANOTHER INDIAN FIGHT

ters from gentlemen connected with the SER
vice, giving partial statements of the late
decisive engagement of the command under
Col. WRIGHT with the hostile Indians near
" -Four Lakes" yet as none Of them give
30 full and minute an account Of it as is
contained in the following, which wo find
in the Oregon Standard of the 18th inst.
we are inclined to give it the preference
The correspondent of that paper says:
"Col. Wright was offered battle on the
LIST inst, by aconsiderable force of Indians
-Spokanes, Coeur d'Alenes and Palouse,
near -Four Lakes" He promptly en-
gagged them on grounds of their own selec-
ton, and by q series Of admirable dispos
tlons and movements Of the several corps
under his command, swept the savages be-
fore him.
The troops were engaged in the onset
and pursuit, about five hours, with a GER
tain loss to the enemy Of II killed and a
considerable number wounded On our
side, though the Indians at one time under
favorable shelter made decided stand, and
delivered hot fire as our troops charged
them, not single person was slain or
wounded.
This singular and very rare escape from
the casualties Of war, was due as the Off
GERS engaged write TO the "coolness "
with which Col. Wright handled his men
in the action, and to the Minnie and
Sharp'S rifles" with which our men were
armed, and which are so superior in range,
and accuracy Of aim to the weapons in the
hands Of their foe.
From the accounts Of this affair which
have reached US, it was singularly brilliant
in detail and incidents. The movements
and dispositions Of the troops were charac-
terized by the precision, display and cir
cumstanes" of field day drill ..
Without attempting any minute discrip-
ton Of this action of the -Four Lakes, !"
il will be Of general interest for US to state
here, that the troops Immediately engaged
were two Squadrons, four (companies) of
dragons commanded by Brevet Major
GFier, four companies Of the Sd Artillery,
under Capt. Keyes, and two companies Of
tho 9th Infantry under Capt Dent, de-
tachment Of Artillery with q howitzer,
commanded by Lieut.. White, Sd Artillery,
and 80 Nsz-Perces, commanded by Lieut..
John Mullan, I'd Artillery. 'LH.
o. The Indians first engaged by company
*" Sd. Artillery under Capt. Ord and
Lieut. Morgan, the Howitzer Department
and Squadron Of Dragons, under Lieut.
Davidson, were driven from a bill to its
base, where they rallied under shelter of
some pines at the head Of ravine from
which they were soou dislodged by the
footmen who descended upon them, deploy-
ed as skirmishers The Indians being now
driven unto the open ground beyond-the
Dragons hitherto held in rear, dismounted
and leading their horses--at the sound to
mount and charge given by the Colonel in
command, were launched at the enemy,
through the intervals in the ranks of the
Infantry. In this dashing charge, four
companies Of Dragons, 10 all only 100
strong, we're engaged and the scene is
represented as exciting and memorable
Charging gallantly through the open ranks
OF the Infantry, the Dragons rushed upon
the Indians, who soon taking to fight, the
hindermost were overtaken and cut down
with the sabre. The remainder fed over
the hills and sought refuge in wooded
plain beyond.
This charge was kept up for more than q
mile and until the horses became exhaust
ed, when the Dragons were halted. The
foot troops again came up and moved on,
but finding no enemy in sight except an oc-
casional scout on remote hilltop, the
Colonel gave the signal for recall-asssn-
bled bis command marched it back to his
camp which, during the action, had been
held by company an" Sd Artillery, a
Howitzer detachment and a guard Of some
so men, the whole command by Capt
Hardie, Sd Artillery.
The Express left Col. Wright encamped
on the I'd inst, at the -Four LakesD some
II miles beyond Snake river, where it is
probable that he will remain several days
to refresh his men and animals.
1t is thought from signs, that the enemy
will again take heart, and measure strength
with our troops, either on this same gouud
or some Is miles beyond, at the Spokane
river. 1t is hoped that this will be so iu
such an event, we shall have to chronicle a
yet more summary ISSUE"
In the editorial columns Of the same pa
per, we find the following:
"That new arm Of war, the Minnie-bore
musket, with which the troops are furnish
ed, aided materially in the fight. These
throw bullet with deathly force and pre-
cision the distance of 900 yards. Indeed,
SO effective were they deemed by the men,
that after their return to camp from the
engagement, three hearty cheers were given
for the new arm" after first three had
been given for their gallant commander,
Col. WriphtiD