Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-07-17
rhe Defeat of our Troops in Oregon.


On the 9Th ult., Col. Steptoe with c, E,
and Ii. companies of lst dragons, and sew
enty.fve men of 9th infantry, with two
mountain howizers, left Fort Walla-Walla
for Colsille The officers Of the command
we're Col. Sseptoe, Captains Winder and lay
lor, Leuts Wheeler, Fleming, CASTOR and
Gregg. After marching eight days we reach
ed the Pelouse river, and we're about passing
into the SpOkan country when we were IN
formed BY lndians that the Spokans would
resist our entrance into their country. The
Spokaus have always been regarded as
friendly to the whites, and when we lett
Walla-Wala no one thought of having on
encounter with them or any other Indians on
the march.
On Sunday morning, the 10th, on leaving
camp we were told that the Spokans had as-
sembled, and were ready to fight US. Mt be-
lieving this, our m"r;h was continued until
about eleven O'Clock. when We found our
selves IN the presence OF SIX hundred Warri'
ors in war costume. The command was bal
ted for the purpose Of having talk, IN
which the Spokans announced that they had
heard we had gone out tor the purpose OF
whipping them out, and, if that was the case
they were ready to fight US, and that we
should not cross the SpOkan river. The H.
dams were well mounted, principally armed
with rifles, and were extended along cur Hank
at the distance of one hundred yards. Al
ter some talk the Colonel told US that we
would have to fight, and we immediately put
ourselves in position 10 move to better ground
determined that the Spokans should lire the
first gun. After marching mile we reach
cd sheet of water. 1t was decided to en-
camp and hold another talk with the LODI
ans. Nothing resulted from this except the
most Insulting demonstrations on their part.
| We dared not dsmount, and were kept on
the saddle threee hours until the setting OF
the sun dispersed the Indians.
On Monday morning we left camp to re-
turn to the Peiouse, marching in the follow
ing order: Ii company in advance, IL the
center with the packs, and T. 10 the rear
At eight o'clock the Indians appeared 10
great numbers about the rear OF the column,
and Just as the advance was crossing a small
stream they began firing. 10 twenty min
utes the firing became CONTINUOUS. Seeing that
the action must become general, l was CT
dered to move forward aud occupy hill that
the Indians were making Tor, and upon
which they would have close fire upon the
head of the column. After close race
gained the bill in advance, on seeing which
the indians moved around and took posses
sion of one commanding that which l occu-
pied. Leaving few men to defend the trst
hill, and deploying my men, l charged the
second aud drove them off. AZ this time the
action was general, the three companies,
nun bering in all about one hundred and ten
men, we're warmly engaged with i've bun
dred Indians. The companies were sepa'
rated from each other nearly thousand
yards, and fought entirely by making short
charges.
At IL o'clock was reinforced by the how
itzers and the two companies began to move
toward the position held, the Indians press
ing closely upon them. As + company was
approaching large body Of Indians got be-
tween it and my company, 81 that having 1t
between two fires they could wipe 1t out at
once. CASTOR, perceigng this, moved quick
" towards me, having the Indians IN his
front, and when near enough, and saw he
was about to charge, l charged with IL com
PAW. The result was that our companies
met, having the Indians in right angle, In
which angle we left twelve dead Indians
After getting together we kept up the night
for half an hour, and again started to reach
the water, moving half mile under
cJrstan; and raking fire, under which our
comr ades Taylor and CASTOR fell.
We finally reached q hill near the water
and occupied the summit, and the Indians
having now completely surrounded 1t, we
dismounted and picketed our horses close to-
gether on the centre OF the tiat-inclined sum
NIT, and posted our men around the crest,
making them lie fiat on the ground, as the
Indians were SO close and SO daring as 10 at
tempt to charge the hill but although cut
mum beriug US eight to one, they did no. sue
coed. Toward evening our ammunition began
t. give out, and our men, suffering 80 much
from thirst and fatigue. required all our at
tenton to keep them up. To move from one
point to another We had TO crawl on our hands
and knees, amid the bowling OF the Indians,
the grosns of the dying, and the whistlinG OF
balls aud arrows.
We were kept in this position until 5 O.
clcck, p NJ, when, as night came 90, 1t De-
came apparent that on the morrow we must
90 under" and that not one OF US would e.
cane, TWAS plain that, nearly destitute OF
ammunition, we were surrounded by SIX or
eight hundred 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 possible, some might es'
cape. Abandoning every thing, we mount
ed and LETT the bill at 9 o'clock, and after a
ride of ninety miles, mostly at a gailop, and
without rest, We reached Snake riTcr' a,
Red Wolf Crossing, the next evening, and
we're met By our friends the Nez Perces
We had two officers. fsc men, and three
friendly Indians killed, and ten men wound
ed; Sergeant Bail, of ii company, missing
The Sergeant distinguished himself very
much during the action, and we all hope be
will vet come in. Captain Taylor was shot
through the neck, and Lieutenant CASTOR
thrcu ID the body; they both fell fighting
eallautly. The companies fought bra'ely'
ike true men. We brought our horses back
in good condition, except about thirty, which
were shot during the fight. The lndians
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 acknow'
ledge having forty wounded. IL will take
thousand men to 90 into the Spokan country
The following is list Of the killed and
wounded:
KILLED Sin company c, First Dragons,
Bre,et Captain o. Ii. Taylor, and private
Alfred Barnes; in com pany Z, First Dragons,