Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-07-16
Ge.'l Howard Defeats Chief Joseph

THE GENERALS REPORT OF THE BATTLE.
Major General Howard telegraphs from
Camp Williams, Idaho Territory, TO Gen'1
Mcdpoweil, 81 san Francisco, the following,
"By making a forced march struck the
enemy al p. m. yesterday, about 800 strong,
t 40 deep canon near the mouth OF the Cot
Water; opened IRE at once with howitzar
and succeeded In starting the Indians from
their position, passing around a transverse
canon for mile and a half. I began the
battle In good earnest, and dismounting,
formed in ravines and behind rocks Every
charge we made gained on them, still at
night our position was not very good one,
as the enemy lay contiguous to my commu
nications and was short of rations. This
morning, by determined effort, We regainei
This afternoon gave our lines 10 the care of
Capt. Perry, commanding cavalry, and Capt.
Miles battalion OF infantry. drew out Capt.
Miller's battalion Of artillery acting as in-
fantry. Just as We were ready to recon-
mence offensive work Capt. Jack son AMI
his pack train appeared in sight beyond
the Indians position. Miller pushed on:
corted il successfully. They had hardly
formed the junction with us when the ar
tillery battalion, already beyond the en-
taking Calling guns and howitzers along.
The Indians made desperate effort To flank
Miller, but failed, and then gave way. Every
thing was then pushed in pursuit We shelled
them rapidly from high bluffs as they es
capped from the left bank of the river, and
followed them Escaping in every directory
as far as The river, and are now across and
going into camp at 40 p. m. Losses of In
dams appear To be Is killed and quite a large
number wounded. We have Capt Bancroft
and Lieut.. Williams wounded, and II enlist
ed men killed and "a wounded. The camps
were abandoned in great haste, lea wing much
plumber. The Indians fought as we'll as any
troops ever saw, and so did ours, not one
man failing in duty. | now believe that |
am in fine condition, just as soon as Green
appears from Boise. 10 make thorough work
with these indians. They are making for
the Snake country, and / for concentration
at Mount Idaho. The troops never done har-
der or more rapid campaigning or better
hghting than these.
HowARD's WAR TALK FOLLOWED by VIC
OROCS ACTION.
Col. Keller, Gen. McDowell's aid de-camp,
sends the following to Gen. Mcdowell. at
San Francisco: Have been with Howard i'm
the battle OF to-day, which he reports in de-
tail. / consider this most important sue
cess. Joseph is in full flight Westward.
Nothing can surpass the vigor of Gen. How
ards movement and action.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE.
Portland press dispatch special Just re-
ceived from an eye witness of the fight on
South Pork of Clear Water gives the follow
man, guide, found Chief Joseph, after long
and arduous search, with his full force
camped in an almost inaccessible defile be-
tween two high mountains. near the river
Our command numbered 400, and Joseph
had 800 brave and determined warriors.
Fighting was carried on very carefully on
both sides. The Indians fought in recumbent
position and kept up a steady fire from be
hind rocks, trees aud every advantag eous
rise in the ground, like skirmishers and
sharpshooters. We were forced to approach
the rough, open table land, and received a
CALLING fire. There was desultory firing from
rifie. pits all day. squaw who fell into our
hands says that seven Indians were killed
outright, and the number wounded is very
large. She says the chief wanted to CHI and
die at the river, but the women prevailed
upon him to retreat. Capt Bancroft Nth
artillery, was wounded badly in the left
side; Lieut.. Williams is wounded in the
arm and leg. Both will recover. Both sides
fought with great determination.