The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1877-08-03

what memorable fight of tho Clcarwn-
ter July llill ana l2tL), y obtained
from an eye witness:
A ( an carly hour on the morning Of
the llth, Capt. Wilkinson, IN company
with Capt. Trimble, made rceonnois-
ance Of the enemy's lines. The party
arrived on The bluff overlooking the
South Fork cf Clearwater ~ ll:i5,
Lieut.. FLETCHER discovered the wher
t.outs of the Indians. They were seen
III considerable force cncampel IN the
valley, with largc amount Of stock,
hrdctl AMI evidently waiting for fight.
CAPT. Babbitt and Lieut.. Otis opened
ice on their camp, bat oweing to the
great distance, the howitzer failed to
reach them. Con. Howard took posi-
ton at once on the bluff on the right
Of deep and rugged raviiie, and order
cd all troops to his support.
At r. NJ, Gen. Howard made a
personal reconnaissance, and ordered for
ward two gatling guns and two howit-
zers, supporting them by all the troops
except Capt Trimble. Capt. Chapman
Of the volunteers points to the bluff
beyond the rear canon and says: "Ihe
ravine, tho Indians are ascending can
be reached from there" 1t is a mile
back by the way to 60. Gen. Howard
ordered the howitzcr to 60 with all
speed thither to be supported by Win
ter's company and with gatling guns.
Col. Mason fearing the support might
not be strong enough, anticipated Gen.
Towards order and brought over an
other company of infantry. The firing
had hardly opened when the Indians
appeared in strong force going around
to the left with great boldness. At 2
P. NJ, Miles command appeared BY Gen.
Howard's instruction, and prolonged
the right. Soon hefring became very
brisk and at 2;l5, the Gen, ordered Col.
Perry's cavalry, exclusive Of Winters
and Trimbl's companies, to prolong the
left. The enemy in force began to
work vigorously to the left, galloping
on their prnies just out of reach Of the
troops guns. Winters battalion OF
artillerymen was ordered to maneuver,
except one company, to prevent flank
ing. Soon the remaining company fol
lowed with n howitzer. Meanwhile,
the command being dismounted, the
plateau takenis completely enyeloped by
an extended line, and the enemy makes
several mad attempts to break through.
The boldness of the Indians is checked
by n charge made about $3.50 p NJ, on
the right, some of Miles and some of
Millers mon participating, Many Of
the Indians were posted up in trees, be-
hind rocks and prominent points, and
their sharp shooting was very annoying
to the troops. Quitea number of men
were killed and wounded by these sharp
shooters. Gen. Howard ordered another
chargewith thehope ofearyingthera
where the Indians were strongly posted
behind trees and rocks. This charge
was supported by a brisk firing Of how
tiers swiftly conducted by Capt. Win
.er on the right Some ground is gain
ID by the charge in the center, but the
'ayino is not secured. The fighting was
risk in open country, mostly carried
IN behind ridges and continued from |
o s p. Nj hours.
From the point where the enemy was
irst asaailcd, tho indians were driven
back about mile and half. The be-
hayior Of the men was remarkably good,
not one cndeavored to shirk his duty.
The entire force Of Gen, Howard num-
bered about 400, encountered with
pack train. The enemy numbered about
800 warriors, we'll mounted and provid
ed with plenty of ammunition The
fighting was mostly done on foot. Fir
ing ceased about dusk, and both the
troops and TIE Indians drew off fer the
night, Early on the morning of the
18th Gen. Howard made personal re-
conoisance between $3.50 and 4:30
O'clock. Firing commenced as soon as
it was fairly light, and very soon both
sides were warmly engaged in the
fight, Gen, Howard ordered Capt
Rodnoy's company to the rear as re
serve, The Indians drove about three
800 head Of ponies toward the pack
train for the purpose Of stampeding the
mules, but the horses were turned back
and the red devils were foiled. Mean
time about 2j Indians circled around
the rear evidently with the intention
Of cutting of the troops from the
spring, which was situated nearly three
quarters of mile away They succeed
ed in cutting off the water supply, but
were at length driven back by the
shupshooters. Rations were very
scarce, and packers and al who could
were detailed to bake bread, as the
troops had not eaten much for "a hours.
Az $40 a. ~ 4 plan Of action was ar
ranged by Gen, Howard for the day.
The camp was to be held by the cavalry
and artilIcrymen to be revealed for
special work, ii being determined to
charge the enemy and drive them from
thcir stronghold, AT . !, II, Capt
jackson appeared, gopdmg the pack