The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-07-27
The Indian War in Idaho.

The following official details OF Gen.
Towards movements and those of Chief
Joseph have bccu communicated TO the
govern icnt by Inspector Watkins. I'M
der lar OF lapwai, 10Th inst. The
hostilcs. AFTER crossing the Salmon and
going in the direction of the Weiscr riy-
er, doubled back 10 the north and re-
crossed the salmon at q point some
twelve miles below the former, crossing
at the mouth Of White Bird. Gen.
Howard followed with the infantry.
leaving The cavalry on this side TO guard
against Joseph taking just the course he
has taken. Col. Whipplc's command of
cavalry were directed to go the forks of
the Clearwater and ascertain the inten-
lions OF Looking Glass, who was sup
posed TO be running O recruiting station
for. Joseph. This was accomplished
and the Indians driven off. Theytvere
some 1,200 in number. One Indian
was killed and three wounded in this
movement. Col. Whipplc then return
ed to Norton's Station, on the Cotton
wood. Col. Perry, in the meantime,
with the remnant of his command, came
to Lapwai with pack train, and left
again, on the Sd, to join Whipplc on
the Cottonwood, having a small pack
train in charge. On the evening of the
same day, Lieut.. Raincs, with ten men
from Whipple's command, while max
ing reconnaissance OH this side of the
Cottonwood, was surrounded by Indi-
ans, and all the men were killed. Their
bodies were left by the roadside. On
the morning of the 4th, Col. Perry
reached the scene of the massacre of
Lieut.. Raincs, and was fiercely attack
ed, and but for the timely arrival of
Whipple's command would have been
annihilated. Moro or less fighting has
occurred every day since, between the
Indians and the cavalry near the Cot
tonwood, but the Indians have univer-
sally come off the victors. In the mean
time Gen. Howard turned back, follow
ing the trail of the hostiles, and began
to recross the river. This probably in
duced Joseph to make desperate effort
to get past the cavalry, rs, after the
crossing of Gen. Howard, he would be
between two fires. Accordingly he
burned his lodges and loose property,
left the cattle and poorer horses grazing
on the praries, and while he attracted
the attention of the cavalry by making
bold dashes at them, and securing the
country in the vicinity with his Small
bands. his women and extra borsns
were taken across the omen country be .
tween the Cottonwood and Mount Ida.
bo. and sent TO the klamath. The Tn.
dams were exceedingly hold and dar-
ing. While the women were passing
in plain sight of thc froons tho Iattay
were CHARGED nnon nv the tnd;ons who
by SUPERIOR horsemanshin and tho dis,
piay of the greatest bravery kent the
cavalry at bay. Several citizens from
Mount Idaho. who came ont TO ioin with
the soldiers. were KILLED. but NOT before
thew had inflicted severe nnnishment
on the Indians
Our Indian scouts and messenoers
saw that Joseph makes very liUht of the
fighting onaIities of the troons and ssvs
he can wbip tbe entire f,ght;ng force of
Gen. Howard. and intends iesv;ng b;s
women in n safe Mace and retnrn;ao, rs
do II. He has constantIv hod h;s fr;ands
among fhe Indians On fbc reserve nar.
ticuIarlv at klamath aud hoe rse5 ov.
ery indncement TO Oct friendly Indians
to Join him. His SnnaralleIed sncceas
has excited the admiration of the vonng
braves. and a few from among The t,ea.
ty indians have Joined him, insnector
Watkins thinks that .Iosenh IL n snperio,
war chief and thai bc viii ba o6,n 70
unite five hundred warriors Under his