The Portland daily press., 1877-06-21
THE INDIANS.
THE NEZ PERCES REVOLT,
No Later News from the Scene of
the Conflict.
Active Preparations to Subdue the
Savages,

WASHINGTON. June 2O.-The Indian com
missioners have received the following from
the Nez Perces agency:
The Idaho non-treaty Indians commenced
hostilites on the 14th instant, and 90 settler,
are reported murdered and four Indians killed
General Howard is here in command The
hostile party 100 strong, is reported to have
gone to the Salmon River country and to be
making for the Geysers in southern Idaho.
Troops are in pursuit II hours behind. The
reservation Indians are true to the government
and a company under the head chief is pro.
fecting the settlements. There is no news
from the Indians north of here
kilograms have been received in regard to
the Indian troubles in Idaho at the War De.
partment from Gen. Mcdowell, commanding
the military division of the Pacific.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 49,
Gen. Sherman, Washington:
The steamer California reached Fort Town.
send this morning with the troops from Alaska
L have ordered them to 60 to Lewiston, Frida '
morning. Gen. Suly will go to Lewiston by
that boat. MCDOWELL
Major General.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 19.-The following
from Gen. Howard at Lapwai, to his chief off
Ger at the department headquarters, has been
received
There is rather gloomy news from the front
by stragglers. Capt. Perry overlook the enemy
about 200 strong in deep ravine we'll posted,
and was fighting there when the last messenger
left. L am expecting every minute a messen-
ger from him. The Indians are very active
and gradually increasing in strength, drawing
from other tribes The movement indca tes a
combination uniting nearly all the dsaffected
Indians. They will probably number 1000 or
1900 when united. The two companies of in
fantry and twenty-five cavalry reached Lewis
ton this morning, Order to Lewiston every
forces at Forts Harrey and Boise. Start all
the troops at Harrey for Boise except the small
guard. They may receive orders en- route
turning them in the Lapmai direction. Lew
iston will be the field department for the pres
ent The quartermaster, c0mmissary, ord
nance and medical staff will act accordingly
am acting upon the most positive informa-
ton and wish these movements perfected in
the shortest possible time. Please inform Gen.
Mcdowell and ask him to send staff officer to
me. His California troops should in my judg-
ment be ready to move, but just when will de-
pend on my success against Joseph's band rs
miles eastward from here.
shall proceed against the Indians collecting
or threatening on Hangmans creek near the
Spokane. About thirty citizens have been
murdered thus far l shall not feed the enemy
on driblets, but L had to stop the murder Of
Joseph's band while concentrate my troops,
(Signedl HOWARD.
Commanding Department of Columbia
Gen. Sherman sent the following reply:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UNITED STATES,
Gen. l. McDoooell, Commanding Military Diyis.
ION, San Francisco.
Your several dispatches of the 10Th inst. are
received, and trust the first report of the dis
aster to the two companies under Can't. Perry
will prove incorrect, and that the combinatio1
among the disaffected Indians is not as extern
sive as reported. Still we must meet the dam
ger and overcome it, be it what it may. Gen.
Howard is on the spot and can soon ascertain
the exact truth. You can first support him by
all the troops available, and call for reinforce
ments only after you have used all subject TO
your command. The aggregate number of In
dian scouts possible for your division is 1870.
Surely you can let Howard have over 100 by
ordering Kautz to discharge corresponding
number.
(Signed,) VT. SHERMAN,
General
The Secretary of War this morning received
the following telegram from Gov. Bradlman of
ldahoe Territory:
BOISE CRY, Idaho, June 49,
To the War Department, Washington, d. G.
a disastrous Indian war has begun, There
There is no territorial law creating militia.
and only twenty regulars are here. L want au-
thorlty to organize, mount and provision vol.
unteers at government charge. Immediate ac-
ton is necessary.
(SignedD M, BRAp1MAN.
Governor of Idaho.
To this telegram the Secretary replied be
had no authority to authorize him to organize,
mount and provision volunteers at the govern
ment expense, but that Gen. Howard has been
fully instructed aud clothed with all the au.
thority the department can confer, and that be
might furnish arms and ammunition as pro-
vded by law.
Gen. Sherman also sent the following tele-
gram to Gen. Mcdowell.
HEADQUARTERS OF ARMY OF Q. S.,
June 20.
fen, MeDoweU, Commanding, Military Di-
vision of the Pacific, San Francisco:
The Governor of idaho telegraphs to the
Secretary OF War asking authority to organize
he militia and calling for arms ammunition
md supplies generally.
The Secretary has replied that he has no au-
hority to grant the request, but that Gen.
Toward will be authorized to issue at his dis
retion under the act approved July Sd, 1876,
auskets of the old pattern not to exceed 500,
nd ammunition under the amendment ap-
roved March Sd. 1877, not 10 exceed fifty
ounds for each guU.
(Signed) w. T. SHERMAN, Gen. |