The weekly Butte record. [volume] (Oroville [Calif.]) 1866-1887, 1866-07-28

a Gallant Fight with the Indians.
The Ruby City Il. IT, correspondent, of the
Call gives the following account Of the recent
Indian fight in the Owhyee country:
The account of the surprise and fight, ss
told By Jennings and bis little band, is well
worth preserving. They had been out 10 the
mountains and on the Indian bun. for some
thirty days, and were about TO descend into
canon, near the head waters of the Owyhee-
10 fact. few Of the boys had nearly gained the
bottom Of the canon-when Jennings espied
an Indian Oh the opposite mountain, and
simultaneous with his shout of alarm. the sharp
crack of hundred rifles, and the internal war
whoop of The savages rang upon our ears and
told briefly but well that the conflict would be
one of life and death, and that nothing bat
cool and determined resistance would save
single man to tell another tale Of horror TIE
boys were recalled from the canon and returned
Ere as they assembled The mountain. Rejoining
their comrades the Company we're informed
by Jennings that their animals and provisions
were. under the circumstances, essential TO
their lives, and they must be retained at ali
hazards. few OF the men were sent 10 ad
vance with the animals and were instructed to
construct rife pits for the 6ghtirg men 10
retreat TO. Their duties could be speedily
and coutinuou ly performed as the country or
mountain was covered with rocks suitable for
The purpose. The Indians. enraged at their
failure TO lead the party completely into their
embuscade. shouted in English. after the
men. and challenged them to lhe fight. They
rushed down the mountain, crossed the canon,
and assembled to the charge but were repulsed
By continuous volley from twenty five OF the
Henry's sixteen shooting rifles. Thus repulse
followed charge and charge followed repulse
for nine hoir rs. On several occasions the
advance were required 10 run back and assist
to repel the mad and desperate efforts of the
red devils 10 bag their game The Indians
would occupy the rife pits as fast as they were
vacated. The unerring aim of the cool and
experienced band Of Anglo Saxons brought
many warrior down but as marvellous as
it may seem, they did not lose man until
they had retrealed distance of three miles
to basin where they found water and en-
treDchsd for siege. The Indians pursued
them closely and holly and continued firing
on them during the night, with the apparent
object of creating panic, and inducing an
effort TO escape.
On the following day, entertainments were
built and rife-pits erected the latter being
constructed, individually, by the most expert
enced marksmen and determined men. who
preferred TO fight on their own hook and prevent
The Indians from getting q foohold too near
the main body of men. The Indians followed
the example of the whites, and erected rife
pits enough TO encirc!e the little band. Thus
the fighting continued for two and q half days,
during which time many deeds of daring were
successfully accomplished. One will narraie:
Seven Indians had walled themselves in with
rocks at q very unhealthy and annoying dis
lance from the entertainments, aud had sue
ceeded in woundng number of men. Geo
Green was ordered to dislodge them He
selected large stone. and going down upon
his belly, he rolled it slowly ahead of him until
he gained favorable position; then, watching
for desired opportunities, he sent the leaden
messenger of death crashing through each
Indians brain, until the tie.pit became q
silent, though temporary, sepulcber for the
seven saVages. Other gallant feats were
performed worthy to be recorded but which
| neither have time nor opportunity to des-
cribc.
Jennings and bis party fought for forty
eight hours without tasting food the excite
ment-ihe boys says-was so great they did
not even think OF eating, nor experience feel
lngs of hunger. On the night of the 4ih of
July. firing partially ceased, bat more than q
hundred signal fires flashed on the surrounding
bills, calling for re Inducements. Jennings
knew desperate hour was coming, and re
qnested bis men TO exchange opportunities
and get wha, little rest they could. Escape,
he told them, seemed impossible, and to at.
tempt TO retreat would be sure and sudden
death; their only chance for escape was to
hold their position until relief could reach them
Two brave boys Pickett and ---, proposed
to crawl past the Indians, and try to reach the
settlements. The sequel tells how well they
succeeded; but their suifsrings, aud he dangers
which thes experienced, can better be imagined
than described.
Another account states that, Thomas Casoa
one of the original company which was sur.
rounded. was wounded during the first days
fight. fought most desperately, killing Is
Indians. He had got cut off from the main
body and in'renched himself by building a
sort of wall around him. On the second day
while 10 bis gallant defense, be was shot through
the head and instantly killed.
BETWEEN LIFE Ann DFAru otto ~, tho