The teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1876-1878, 1877-07-28
CAPT. McCONVILLE'S STATE.
MENT.
LETTER FROM L. p. BROWN

We interviewed Capt. McConville il
relation to the pursuit of Joseph's banc
to the Weips camas grounds. He says
that Capt. Hunters statement does in
justice to the regulars. McConville's
statement il as follows: He, McCon.
vile, with Is volunteers and Col. Mas.
On with something over 100 cavalrymen
with Chapman and several Indian
scouts followed the trail of Joseph's
band towards the camas ground, with
the expectation that the hostiles would
leave by the Lolo trail for the Bitter
Root. McConvillc's volunteers were in
the advance save few Of the scouts.
When nearly across the Camas grounds
and just as they were about entering
The timber two Of the scouts were sud-
denly surrounded by hostiles and dis.
.santed and were disarmed. Other
seoats rushed past the volunteers and
were fred upon, Immediately McCon-
vile ordered his men to dismount and
drop down in the grass. Chapman and
several Of his scouts wheeled and rode
back tosthe regulars about 200 yards
behind and stopped them. They did
mot run, and Capt. Winters soon after
sdismounted his men aud imme-
diately came to McConville's assistance
in case the Indians made general at
tack which was expected, but no gener-
al attack was made, and the Indian po-
sition was such that it could not sue
'cessfully be attacked by mounted men.
They Afterwards sent out skirmishers
who found that Levi had been killed,
Jim Reuben and Abram, Indian scouts,
weuaded- After waiting an attack
from the Indians they deemed best
TO withdraw to better position and
await events. This they did and en-
camped Tor the night. They saw nor
heard any more Of tie Indians, and the
nezt morning Col. Mason ordered re-
turn to Kamia. McConville says he
saw no sign of eowardice or fleeing save
in Chapman aed some Of the Indian
scouts who fed back to the regulars,
and this he docs not attribute to cow
Ardice. He says had the Indians been
concealed there they would have had
every advantage in case the force had
attacked them At that point. The fol-
lowing was received Saturday noon:
'#j MT. IDAHO, July 18th. 1877.
A. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. L. p.
Wilmot OF Mt. Idaho volunteers re-
turned this afternoon from headquarters
at Kamia aud from him aud other par.
ties. who have been there since the bat
tls st forks Of Clearwater we are in
formed Of the movements Of troops and
Indians: 5F A H. ssA
4 When the forces had all arrived at |
KamiA Gen. Howard sent two hundred
Cavalry and volunteers down to cross
the river 1t Dunwell's ferry in order to
get in the rear Of the. Indians on the |
oamsp ground and cut them of from the
10 10 trail. Ia the mean time Joseph |
sent word By : friendly Indian that he +
wanted 70 atalk; but At the time when
he vas expected, failed to put in an
appearance. A part OF the force re-
dornsd y Kama the balance went to
the ferry, found the boat cut loose and
down the river about / mile, and the
buildings at Danwells burnt, the vol
unteers remained over night when they
received orders to return to Kama.
Gen. Howard has crossed his command
at Kama aud intends following the In
dams up the trail Col. McConville
with portion Of his company moves
with them. Fourteen Of the hostiles
with their families came 10 to the Gen.
srars camp aAd gave themselves up,
they are understood to belong to the
Clearwater and Lapwai Indians. The
Gen. has organised = commission Of his
officers 70 give them, = trial. None Of
T~.o.h,.s - 1Rh;tn ns~AS. man h~vnl