The New York herald., 1877-07-09
SEVENTEEN WARRIORS FALL
Colonel Whipple's Successful
Surprise Party.
GENERAL HOWARD'S CHASE.
Driving the Nez Perces Into
a Mountain Trap.
STORES OF SUPPLIES CAPTURED.
[BY rELxaRAPH TO THE HERALp.1


MOUNTAIN CAMP,
PLATEAU NEAR SNAKE RIVER, July 8,
Via WALLA WALLA, July 7. 1877. }
am able to send you Information Of great i'm
portance in regard to the operations against the
hostile Indians led by Chief Joseph. am with the
troops and am cognizant OF every movement which
made.
HARD FIGHTING TO COME
Some hard lighting must take place before tho
insurrec tionary bands are reduced to OF the
necessity Of submission and obedience.
UNCERTAINTY OF EVENTS.
There prevails in the minds of those who best
know the dispositions and traditions OF the Indians
OF this region much uncertainty as to the events
which {, W days may bring forth.
DELAY INExPEDIENT.
The hostile force may be augmented to thousands,
and it order to prevent the large accessions to
its strength which delay would be sure to produce
that General Howard desires to push forward
rapidly ne may. The reinforcements which are
expected are, OF course. very desirable, and are
ardenty wished for, but II his movements were
postponed until their coming he might he met by
an enemy whose efficiency had been more than
proportionate.y Increased
AN AUsPICIOCs sKIRMIsH.
On unofficial, but good authority, 1t is reported
that on July Colonel Whipple and some citizens
from Mount Idaho surprised the Chief Looking
force numbered Iorty braves, all well armed and
horribly painted, to strike terror into their
venturesome foes. They had encamped on
Clear Creek, and apparently expected
nothing less just then than an attack, as they had
been indulging IN an anticipatory scalp dance The
troops advanced upon them in good order, and be-
fore the warriors could recover from their first
astonishment at the celebrity with which they had
been pursued they were commanded to surrender.
A STAMPEDE.
They ran toward their horses, undoubtedly In
tending to make what resistance was possible,
should they succeed In mounting unhurt.
DEADLY vOLLEY.
The order given TO ire, however, and ring
ing volley from the guns OF the citizens and soldiers
echoing among the rugged hills. laid seventeen OF
the savages low. dismal yell broke upon the air
as these lcl and the warwhoop with which their
first movement had been accompanied died away
IN cries of dismay.
HURRIED PLIGHT.
The coolncss of the white men rendered their
aim deadly and had the Indians who survived not
scurricd away wild haste many more Of them
would have fallen The shots which ,'vSy fired at
random into the attacking body had very little
effect
they left much Of their savage equipnge behind,
and the AFFAIR, IL Is believed, win dampeE some
what their enthusiasm for the war path.
DEPOTs or SUPPLIES CAPTURED.
On the I'd General Howard moved from his camp
on the Salmon River to the Table Land. On tho
trail leading to Como Landing, on the Snake River,
were discovered fifteen caches, which had been
provided by Joseph's people Tor future necessities
A cache Is deposit OF supplies concealed IN the
ground or among rocks, 50 that none
but those who prepare may readily discover
Its existence. The Indians OF the Pacific slope
are particularly expert In thus hiding stores ol
ammunition and food, and In former wars have
been able TO hold out against siege In almost any
portion Of their domar while the pursuing whites
failed to destroy their means OF subsistence
ABUNDANT SPOIL
These depots contained abundance Of new cloth
Ing, underwear and cigars, two hundred sacks Of
nour, and savage trinkets without number.
HERDS CAPTURED.
large herd OF Indian horses and some bceves
have been captured.
PURSUING CHIEF JOSEPH.
We are following what IL supposed to be Chis
Joscph's trail and pressing upon him rapidly
| as the troops can march We are driving him into
q sort OF Caudlan trap. Every exit from tho
mountains is guarded and unless he hoodwinks u
! something after the fashion Of the ingenious Car.
thagenian, there can be chance OF evading fight
| A.-5ENNETr BUILDING.
| LOCATED ON NASSAU, ANN AND FULTON Sr9