The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-26
General Howard Attacks and Defeats
JOSeDh'S Band.

WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE follow
ing dispatch was received tonight by
Gen. Vincent, Acting Adjutant General:
"SAN FRANCISCO, July IA.
To The Adjutant General Of the Army, Washington,
81 hasten to send you, for the informa-
ton of the Secretary and President, the fol-
lowing important telegram from my aide
de camp, whom had sent to Gen. Howard:
"IN FIELD NEAR MOUTH OF COTTONWOOD CREEK
PM, JULY 12 VIA WALLAwALA, JULY IA.
"' To Gen. McDo,veH San Francisco:
"sI have been with Gen. Howard in the
battle of to-day, which he reports in detail.
l consider this a most important success.
Joseph is in full flight westward. Nothing
can surpass the vigor of Gen. Howard's
movement and action.
"KEELER, A. D. c.
"My aide is an officer of experience in
actual service, and his Judgment is entitled
to consideration. / am therefore infinitely
relieved and rejoiced to hear his report of
Howard's success, which comes most oppor-
tunely, as the Reservation Indians had been
supposed wavering, if not disposed to join
the hostiles, because of Joseph's first sue
cess think this defeat will tend to cause
them to remain peaceable, and may make it
unnecessary to act under the Presidents
authority to call out volunteers for tempo
rary service. 1 will at least defer action till
I get Howard's refort. MCDOWELL,
"Major General"
GEN. HOWARD RoUTs JosEPH's BAND.
The following official dispatch has just
been received from Gen. Howard:
HEADQUARTERS Dept COLUMBIA,
| CAMP WILLIAMS, LEFT BANK SOUTH FORK
| CLEARWATER, NEAR MOUTH
| COTTONWOOD 1. T, July II,
| VIA WALLAwALA, July IA.
| By making a forced march l struck the
enemy at p. m. yesterday, about three hun
dred strong, in deep canon near the mouth
| of the Cottonwood, near the South Fork of
Clearwater, and opened fire at once with a
| howitzer, and succeeded in starting the In
dians from their position. Passing around
Transverse Canon for mile and half be-
gan the battle in good earnest, and dismount-
ing formed in the ravines and behind rock
barricades well prepared. For seven hours
every charge we made gained on them. Still
at night our position was not a very
good one, as the enemy lay contiguous to my
communication, and was short of rations
This morning by a determined effort we re-
gained our spring of water from some sharp
shooters. This afternoon gave our lines tC
the care of Captain Perry, commanding the
cavalry, and Captain Miles's battalion of in
fantry. drew out Captain Miller's battalion
of artillery, acting as infantry. Just as VT
were ready to recommence offensive work
Captain Jackson and pack train appeared
in sight, beyond the Indians position
Miller pushed out in skirmish order, met tn,
train, and escorted it successfully. They haC
hardly formed a junction with us, when the
artillery battalion, already beyond tn,
enemys flank, made rapid movement, tax
ing the Gatling guns and a howitzer along
The Indians made one desperate effort t.
flank Miller, but failed, and then gave wa.
Everything was then pushed in pursuit
We shelled them rapidly from tn
: high bluffs they escape
from the left bank of the river, and followe
, them they escaping in every direction a
, far as the river; we are now across, an
: going into camp at 80 p. m. The losses c
j. the Indians appear to be thirteen killed an
quite large number wounded. We hav
+ Captain Bancroft and Lieutenant William
n and eleven enlisted men killed and twent,
n four wounded. Their camps were abandone
o in great haste, leaving much plunder. Th
e Indians fought as well as any troops ! eve
IS saw, and so did ours, not one man failing
q. his duty. l now believe that / am in fir
v condition, just as soon as Green appear
Is from Boise City, to make thorough wor
with these Indians. They are making fC
d the Snake country, and | for concentrate
m at Mount Idaho. No troops have ever dol
II harder and more rapid campaigning
s. better fighting than these.