The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-30
THE INDIAN WAR IN WASHINGTON TERRI
TORY.
SUCCESSFUL MILITARY OPERATIONS.
THE INDLANS DEFEATED IN TWO BAT
TIES
THE INDIANS SUE FOR PEACE.
THE BATTLE OF THE FOUR LAKES.
Newspaper Accounts ]

THE BATTLE OF THE FOUR LAKES.
Newspaper Aceouuts.l
An engagement took place ut the -Four Lakes the
Of Steptoes reverse in the Spokane country be-
tween the United States troops under Colonel Wright,
and large war party of hostile Indians the LIST of
September. The enemy numbered from three to five
hundred warriors from the Spokane Pelouse and Occur
Alene tribes Small detachments of Indians had for
ten days before the fight been watching and annoying
the troops, but when pursued would retire beyond
reach.
On the 3lst Of August party fred the grass in the
OF the train, while the column the march,
and under of the smoke made attack but the
rapid depoyment of the troops prevented the accom-
plshment of any object Small parties were kept in
sight only to deceive the troops with regard to their
strength. They had prepared strong position for at
tack with their whole force, about mile from the camp
of the troops the line of their supposed route in ad
vancing the lst September where the trail passes
through a dcile
On the morning of the ls the parties of the enemy on
the hill increased in number and expecting the troops
to be decoyed into the ami dscade they defiant and
insolent and invited attack Little delay was had Col
Wright advanced upon them with some three hundred
and twenty troops artillery Infantry and dragoons with
howtzer and drove the parties from the hills Here
he found the main position of the enemy to be on the
plains and in the brush cover below
Dispositions for the engagement were speedily and skill
fully taken. The dragons having first reached view Of
the enemy engaged them and with effect until the foot
troops could be brought up to drive the enemy into
position where the horses could be used On reaching the
ground, the foot troops Sd artillery and 9th Infantry
depoyed and ordered to drive the enemy from the
This they did in gallant STYLE and with such i'm
peuosity that the Indians at broke for the plains
and for other shelter On reaching favorable ground the
dragons charged handsomely through the deployed in
eryas of the light troops and completed the rout OF the
enemy st... ns."as. .aUa al# w
When again the Indians gained temporary shelter,
where the mounted troops could not reach he the foot
troops charged them and drove them out until finally
| the Indians fled beyond pursuit The mountain howit-
\ to effe mate
wing the enemy from The recent Improvements
in firearms (he rng Of the musket and the of the
elongated BALL enabled the troops to reach the enemy at
| ranges hitherto not effective .. . .'- t
The insolent savages have thus received de-
feat in fair open encounter, with their best warriors
engaged with numbers they deemed sufficient, upon
ground the most favorable and of their election.
The number of warriors killed far seen,
/ teen among them chief More must have fallen,
who according to Indian CUSTOM were instantly dragged
] from the field large number have been wounded.
The troops lost not one there notwithstanding
| the hot fire of the enemy, man wounded.
The troops, officers, and men behaved themselves
handsomely. The battle regularly and skilfuly
fought in only to be expected of troops
guancd with their vocation Col Wright handled the
troops we'll and displayed marked ability command
er The officers and troops engaged are as follows
|
Col G. Wright 9th infantry.
Lieut. p A. owen 9th infantry, acting assistant adju-
tant general. ... .-.. ..l a..
Capt. r. w. Kirkham, quartermater and commssary.
Assistant Surgeon j. f. Hammond Assistant Surgeon
Randolph, medical department. 4 ...s...... .s
Lieut. J. Muan I'd artillery, typographical engineer.
DRAGooSs-Ist regiment, four companies.
Major William Grier commanding.
Lieut. ii. B. Davidson, commanding company.
/ Lieut. w. ID. Pcnder, commanding company.
Lieut. ID. Mem Gregg, commanding company.
Ee ARTLLERY-3d regiment, four companies.
4 Capt E. d. Reyes, commanding battalion
Capt e. o. G. Ord commanding company
4 Lieut. r. o. Tyler, commanding howitzer detachment.
4 Lieut. d. r, Ransom, commanding company.
/ Lieut. G. ?. Ihrie, commanding company
4 Lieut.. NJ. II. Morgan. ,...
| Lieut.. J. Howard
4 Lieut. /. Kip, adjutant of battalion.
. INFANTRY--9th regiment, two companies.
Capt. f. T. Dent, commanding battalion.
Capt. c. S. Winder, commanding company.
l Lieut.. H. B. Fleming
\ Capt j. A. Hardie being the feldoficer of the day,
was charged with tie care and defence of the camp and
train Company M, Sd artillery, Lieut.. III. G. Gibson
commanding and Lieut. G. Il. b. Dandy, grand guard
under Lieut. H. B. Lyon, and detachment of the Dragons,
artillery and infantry companies constitutes the force for
the protection of the camp and train
The troops were to advance the 9th September to
find the enemy, If possible at the Spokane river Hard
marches from Snake river to -Four Lakes had tgued the
pack animals and troops, and few days rest ndis-
pensable What will be the character of future opera
tions cannot be foretod. 38.@ @usa
1t was rumored at Portland that Gen Palmer formerly
Indian agent for Oregon who started from Portland some
weeks ago for the mining country with company of GO
and about $50 900 $50 900 worth of provisions,
had been cut off and massacred by the Indians. The
whole train is reported to have been destroyed and all
the party killed. Subsequent information, however,
rendered it probable that the without founda
4 tion. .a...... .aa.a......s...-.