The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-15


THE FIGHT TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT
USEFULNESS OF ARTILLERY DEMONSTRATED.
A press despatch from Portland oregon, gives
the following Official despatch Just received from
General IIoward:--
HEADou ALTERS. DEPARTMENT or THE CoLlfMuIAl
CAMP WILLIAMS, LEFT BANK OF TIE Sourn
FORK OF THE CLEAR WATER. NEAR TUE
COTTONWOOD !. r., July IL,
via wALIA WAILA, July II, 1877,
By making a forced march struck the enemy
at Z. VI. yesterday, about three hundred strong
in 4 deep canyon near the month or the Cotton
wood, near the south fork OF Clear Water, and
opened fire at once with Il howtZer succeeding in
starting the Indians from their position. Passing
around the transverse OF the canyon for mile and
a half | began battle in good earnest, and dis
mounting we formed in ravines and behind rocks.
Barricadcs were prepared. For seven hours every
charge we made gained on them.
FIGHTING FOR WATER.
Still, at night our position was not a very good
one, the enemy lay contiguous to my commune
cations ard WAS short Of rations This morning.
by determined effort, we regaincd our spring of
water from some sharpsiooters.
GOOD SERVICE DoNE BY ARTILLERY
This afternoon gave our lines 10 The care OF
Captain Perry, commanding the cavalry, and cap
tain Niles, commanding the battalion OF infantry.
| drew out Captain Miller's battalion of artillery.
acting Infantry. Just rs we were ready
to rccommence offensive work Captain Jackson
and the pack train appeared in sight beyond the
Indians position. Captain Miller pushed out la
skirulish order, met the train and escorted it sue
cessluly. They had hardly formed II Junction with
us when the artillery battalion, already beyond tie
enemy nank, made rapid movement taking Cat
ling guns and howitZcr along with them.
smELLIsG THE REDS
The Indians made "A q effort a fin M IAN.
tain Miller, but failed, and then gave way. Every
thing then pushed ia pursuit We shellcd
them rapidly from the high buns as they escaped
from the LETT bank Of the river. and followed them
escaping In every direction as far az the river and
are across and gong into camp lhalfpast seven
p. NJ
TIE loss o! the Indians appears to be thirteen
killed and quite large number wounded.
We have Captain Bancroft, Lieutenant Will
ianls u and eleven enlisted men Killed and twenty
mnc wounded.
The Indians abandoned their camps In great
haste leaving much plumber
DESPERATE rIGiITfSG
They fought as well as any troops ever saw ard
so did our men. not failing TO do his duty.
now believe am IN fine condition, just as soon as
Green appears from Boise city, to mako thorough
work with these indians. They are making Tor the
Snake country, and for a concentration at Mount
Idaho. Troops have never done harder or more
rapid campaigning or better fighting than these.
GENERAL M'DOWELLS REPORT.
HIS AIDE-DE-cANP WAS WITH GENERAL HOWARD,
AND DECLARES THE FLIGHT OF JOSEPH VERY
IMPORTANT.
WASHINGTON, July II, 1877.
The following despatch received tonight by
General Vincent, Acting Adjutant Genorai:--
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, July II, 1877.
To THE ADJuTASr GENERAL on TIKI ARMY, WASH
TNGToN:-
hasten TO send for the Information OF the Sec
Rotary and the President, the following important
telegram rom my aided camp, whom mad sent
TO General Howard
FIELD, NEAR MORN or
COTTONWOOD CREEK. July III T. VI.
Via WAiLA-WALiA. July IL, 1877. J
General MCDOWELL, san Franc.sco:--
Have been with General Howard in the battle OF
to day, which he reports In detail | consccr this
most important success. Joseph is In full fight
westward. Nothing can surpass the rgor OF Gen
eral Howards movement and action.
Keller, Aide de-Camp.
My aid Is an oincer oi experience IN actual