National Republican., 1877-07-09
THE WAR IN THE WEST.
Sharp Fighting with Joscph's Band-The
Outlook In the Country.

shhrp rghunR with Josephs Band-The
outlook In the Country.
BY Telegraph to The REPunLIcAN.
SAN FRANcIsco, JuIy7.
"A Press dispatch, dated Portland, Oregon
gives the following special.
LEwIsToN, IDAHO, July 4, via WkLLA-
WALLA, July Con the cd instant Col. Whip
pies command, with volunteers under N. b.
Randall, came across Looking Glass band at
Cedar Creek at o'clock In the morning. Tho
Indians told Col Whipple that they were pre-
pared to fight, and, II Is said, opened the af-
fray by firing the first shot. When the order
was given to the soldiers TO fire the Indians
soon broke for the hills and places Of shelter.
IL Is not known how many were killed or
wounded. rs they scampercd of in all dircc-
tions. The command captured the Indian
camp, burned all their provisions and plundcr
and took about 600 head Of Indian horses,
which they brought here. No citizens or sol.
diers were killed or wounded. The command
returned last night.
Captain Elliott, of the Idaho Rangers, cap
tured sevcnty.hve of Chief Joscph's cattle and
forty horses: They had skirmish on the
Nimnah. The Captain says he docs not know
how many were killed, as they had to retreat.
Indians are mostly between the Snake and
Salmon rivers and are now reported nine hun
drcd strong and we'll armed. Captain Booth
will go to Walla Walla with seventy-one men
from the Cove. There are twenty-one men
from Union county, Oregon, now in the walla
Walla valley.
News has been received at department head
quarters here from General Alfred Sully, COM
manding at Lewiston, Idaho that Col. Perry,
with thirty men, on his way to the Cotton
wood, was attacked by hostilcs. Lieutenant
Rains ten soldiers and two citizens were
killed. Colonel Whipple Joined Colonel Perry
and drove the Indians off. The fight is still
going on. Major Jackson's company Of the
LIST cavalry, which left Fort Vancouver yes
tcrday morning, will arrive at Lewiston to-
morrow noon.
A special received from John A. Farrell, Of
San Francisco, who has just returned from
Colyille, dated Palousc Landing July B. via
Walla walla, July 0, says: Joseph Open
hsimer i,,i and myself arrived here this evening.
When we crossed the Opokone bridge yestcr-
day we noticed between three hundred and
four hundred buck Indians, who were said to
be in council. They were all well armed and
equipped. They consisted Of Yokamas, under
Moses Palousc, Sampcrills, Opokones, Gales
halls, and renegade young men from other
tribes, whose names arc not known. The out
look for this country Is bad The settlers on
Pine creek and the Palouse plains, except Ave
men, have left. The country is in the hands
Of the savagcs."
SAN FRANcIsco, July IA Boise City dis
patch gives the following extract from letter
received there from Major N. A. Comoyer, In
dian agent for many years at Umatilla reserva.
lie has lived In the country and been person
ally acquainted with the Indians spoken Of in
his letter for over thirty-five years. The In
dians referred to In his letter embrace every
thing within the reach Of the hostiles except
Bannocks and Piutes:
On this reservation the number Of Indians last
January were six hundred and eighty.two men,
one hundred and Hily-seven women, two hundred
aud sixty-two boys aud one hundred and forty
seven girls; Now ! have some more, think, an
and both are very friendly. No whites here have
gone TO join the hostile Indians.
estimate the Indians on the Yokama reserya-
ton aud the renegade bands on the Columbia river
from Celes to White Bluff about 1000. know
nothing Of other tribes north. These Indians will
not take up arms against the whites. am sure the
Occur dAlenes will remain friendly The reports
that the umatillas arc moving to Join the hostile
beve sny viii 40 me eSes fma Ss cannot
this reservation are keeping their young men close
at home, and do not think any can leave without
being discovered.
DETAILS OF THE FIGHT AT CLEAR CREEK
LARGE AMOUNT OF INDIAN STORES CAP
TURED.
SAN Francisco, July ga dispatch from
Portland contains further details Of the fight
reported between Col. Whipples command and
party Of volunteers from Mt. Idaho and
Looking Glass, sub-chief of the hostiles The
fight took place ut Clear creek. Whipplc
gained an advantageous position and sum
moned the Indians, forty in number, to sur
render. They refused and ran for their
horses. The soldiers and citizens charged,
firing volley after volley, into the savages,
killing seventeen. The remainder succeeded
in reaching their horses and escaped.
On the 2d Gen. Howard moved his camp
from Salmon river to the table land on the trail
near Canal landing on Snake river. Here six
teen important caches were discovered con.
tanning large amount Of new clothing, cigars
-four Indian trinkets, &c. A large band Of
horses and some excellent beef were also cap.
tured. This will be serios loss to the Indians
and has encouraged the troops The troops arr
now pursuing Joseph's supposed track with ali
possible speed, and are driving him toward tn,
trap prepared for his reception, as every exit
from the mountains is well guarded.