New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-30
THF IkDIAh VAR.
ADVANCE OF THE ARMY.

THE HosTILEs ovERrAKEN AT WHITE BIRD CREEK
BATTLE PROBABLY FOU iHT YESTERDAY
SIREN GTH OF THE ENEMYs POSITION.
SAN FRANCsCO, CAL June 29.-A Portland press
despatch says Col Wood has just received the FOL
lowing despatch from General Howard, dated at the
front, June 27-S:f5 \. M.-We have oyertaken
Chief Joseph, who is well posted at the mouth of
White Bird Creek. The Indians are bold AMI wait
ing for us to engage them. Lieut.. rumbe and the
volunteers are at State Creek. Oar headquarters
tonight will be at the molth Of White Bird Creek
Most of our dead have been found Twenty-seven
corl,ses have been buried. We rescued citizen,
MANNED wounded and starving. The rains are very
troublesome making roads and trails bad The troops
are IN the best of spirits and ready for clslvewor
special correspondent Oftne Califor ia Associa |
Press sends the following dispatch, dated Camp at
Camas Prairie June 27. $3.50. a. MI
We marched from Mount Idaho TO this place on
Monday afternoon, a distance Of 10 miles. lester-
day Gen. Howard made reconnaissance IN force,
leaving strong guarl in camp. We proceeded to
the scene of Col Pcrrys late battle with the Indians,
and found and buried 27 of the dead soldiers. which
leaves & bodies to he found. Lieut.. Ihcliers body
has not yet been discovered. The majority OF
the bodies were scalped. The number of
murders thus far asccrtained is one woman.
two children and - men, in addition to 33 soldiers
II. i
late fight The details of the murders are horrible
IN the extreme. There several women at Mount
Idaho. tie wives of settlers, who narrowly escaped
or were rescued after suffering most horrible ont
RACES The result of the reconnaissance was that the
Indians were discovered encamped across the Salmon
River, about - miles from this camp AS nearly as
could he asceTtaned, they have about 200 Warriors
They have no lodges with them. but a large amount
of stock is visible along the river bank. The coun-
ry IS of most wild and rugged character, prccpl-
tous mountains aud canyons rendering 1t extremely
difficult for troops 20 travel. Added TO the natural
obstacles heavy and continuous rams have made
the mountain trails almost lnpassable.
II is Gem Towards intention to move the camp
lust beyond the scene of Col Perry's recent engage
y ent. about seven miles distant and if possible to-
morrow will get his artillery in position on tins side
the Salmon River, and cndeavor to reach the enemy
Col Perry goes back this morning tn meet and hasten
forward the advancing column of troops now on
route from Fort Lapwa. They should ovcrtake us
tonight.
If the Indians remain in their present position an
engagement will take place Tomorrow, or Friday
the latest.
A press despatch from Boise City says: the position
of the hosiles on Salmon Rivers of great natural
strength in which they will be able to occupy the
attention Of all the troops that may be sent against
them 1t will he impossible to prevent them from
receiving achievements from Indians disposed to
Join them who can reach them in small detachmentS
through country perfectly known to them. Ii Is
folly to rely upon the peaceful professions of the In
diaus If surrounded on all Sides they will be able to
maintain long and Gace resistance, as the country
IN winch the operations will take place is rough aud
mountainous in the extreme, and is full of fortresscs
and strongholds with which tue Indians are per-
fectly familiar. There is danger that while atten-
ton is being directed to the position on the Salmon,
and all the forces being sent in that direction,
the diSafected Indians who have not yet joined the
hostile camp may open the game IN another quarter.