Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-07-18
The Indian War in Idaho.

The Indian War in Idaho.
news from Gen. Howard is that he is at
Camas Prairie, Idaho. On being in
formed Of the manner in which Col.
Perry neglected the II volunteers under
Randall, on the 5th instant, he said he
wanted the statement in writing by the
volunteer officer in command; that he
was very sorry to learn that any officer
ofthe army should so refuse prompt
assistance in such extremity. He
further said that he would take no
prisoners, and that he would pursue the
Indians and kill them if it was possible.
General Howard has used great dis.
patch in his recent movements, and is
now fully aroused to the true situation j;
certainly so if his talk means anything.
There was considerable alarm at
Lewistown Sunday night from an ap-
pretended attack. A strong guard was
put out, the citizens armed and even
commercial travellers pressed into SER
vice. General Mcdowell, at San
Francisco, has received dispatch from
Colonel Scully, an old officer of much
service in Indian warfare and in the de-
partment of the Columbia, announcing
that Chief Joseph has lately received
considerable accessions, and that it is
feared other reservation Indians will
join him. Colonel Scully suggests that
two hundred Washington Territory and
Oregon troops be called for immedi-
ately to be employed until the addition
al troops arrive. General Mcdowell
informs the War Department that he
approves the suggestion, and will in the
meantime send toward Immediately
every soldier he can get in his depart
ment, amounting now to less than a
hundred men. Thirty recruits will 90
along from San Francisco. He says
that the second infantry. ordered to
San Francisco week ago, ia some I'M
accountable way had not arrived
General McDowell's dispatch was laid
before the cabinet and after brief dis
cussion it was ordered that a call for
two hundred volunteers should be made
as recommended by Gen. Mcdowell,
and that he should have authority to
increase the number to five hundred, if
necessary.
The prevailing Indian war was a
| principal matter of consideration before
! the cabinet, and engaged considerable
portion of the long session. 1t is re-
garded as necessary to take every
proper method to end, and forever, the
hostile demonstrations of Indian trib es,
and this latest outbreak is regarded as
equally serious with any of late years,
and in this view was very seriously con-
sidered. The government will, to the
extent Of its power and the appropria-
tons it commands, execute the determi-
nation to give a final blow to its
Indian troubles.
Nine companies of the Second In
lantry left Atlanta. Ga, en- route to
| SAN FRANCISCO, July IA press
dispatch from Portland says the follow
ing official dispatch has just been re-
ceived from General Howard:
WALLA-WALLA, July l4.-By max.
ing aforced march I struck the enemy
at P. NJ. yesterday, about three hun
dred strong, in deep canon near the
mouth of Cottonwood, near the south
fork of the CLEARWATER, I opened
fire at once with q howitzer, and succeed
ed IN starting the Indians from their
position. Passing around Transverse
canon for mile and half, began
the battle in good earnest, and dis
mounting, formed in the ravines and
behind the rocks. The barricades we're
we'll prepared, and for seven hours every
charge we made gained on them. Still
at night our position was not very
good one, as the enemy lay contiguous
to my communication, and 1 was short
of rations.
This morning, by determined effort,
we regained our spring Of water from
some sharp-shooters.
This afternoon 1 gave our lines to
the care Of Captain Perry, commanding
the cavalry, and Captain Miles, a bat
talon of infantry, I drew out Captain
Miller's battalion of artillery, acting as
infantry. Just as we were ready to re-
commence offensive work Captain
Jackson and paek-train appeared in
sight beyond the Indians position.
Miller pushed out in skirmish order to
meet the train and escorted it success
fully. They had hardly formed the
junction with US when the artillery bat.
talon, already beyond the enemy's
flank, made a rapid movement, taking
the Calling guns and howitzer along.
The Indians made a desperate effort
to flank Miller, bu.failed, and then gave
way. Everything was then pushed in
pursuit. We shelled them rapidly from
high bluffs as they escaped from the
left bank ofthe river, and followed
those escaping in every direction as fal
as the river, and are now across and
going into camp, at 1880 P. M. The
losses of the Indians appear to be thir.
teen killed and quite a large number
wounded. We have Corporal Bancroft
and Lieutenant Williams and eleven
enlisted men killed, and twenty-nine
wounded. The camps were abandoned
in great haste, leaving much plumber
The Indians fought as well as any
troops 1 ever saw, and so did ours, not
one man failing in duty.
Inow believe that l am in fine con-
dition Gust as soon as Green appears
from Bois) to make thorough work
with these Indians. They are making
for the Snake country, and for con-
centration at Mount Idaho. No troops
have ever done harder or more rapid
campaigning or better fighting than
these.
MASSACRE OF cHINAMEN
News to the following effect was re.
celved here to-day from Walla Walla,
under date ofJuly 10: On the 10th inst.
Joseph and his band surprised party Of
thirty-one Cinnamon who were coming
down the Clear water in canoes, for
mere pastimc and recreation, and inhu-
manly killed the whole party except one,
who managed to elude them and escape.
These are the first Cinnamon who have
/ i. alark .,1 hxr In &c La, 4