The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-07-11
THE WAR PATH,
HOward's Victory over the Indians Rt
Butler Creek,

WASHINGTON July 1O.-The following tele-
gram was received at the WGr Office at an ear
ly hour this morning:
SAN FRANCISCO, July Q.
Gen. Sherman. Washington. d. c.:
The following dispatch has just been re.
ceived from Gen. Howard dated head of
Birch Creek July 8:
At Pilot Rock formed junction with the
troops. Wheaton has been ordered to meet
me under ThrOCkmOTtOn, it being uncertain,
from conflicting reports, whether the main
body Of hostiles was near the head Of Butler
creek or near the Columbia crossing.
| sent excellent scouts to place their camp,
and at sunrise moved two columns, one under
Throckmorton, consisting Of two companies
Of artillery, one OF infantry, and few vOun-
teers, by the stage road direct to Butler creek
postoffiCe. The other column, consisting OF
seven companies of the First Cavalry as q
battalion, under Bernard, and seyerally com
manded by McGregoT. Whipple, Bendire,
Winter, ParneeI, Ward and Bonus, with
about twenty Of Robbins scouts and O Cat
ling gun. / accompanied Bernard's column.
We had proceeded some three miles to-
wards the head of Butter creek when we met
the two scouts, who reported Indians ON o
height about three miles from us. Bernard
taking the tTOt moved quickly into position
over those troublesome foot hills, the least OF
which is faced by canon and over mile in
the ascent. The cavalry sped from hill to
hill, till in the vicinity Of the enemy strongly
posted on n rocky crest All the Companies,
except McGregOr's with the pack train, were
deployed and used during the engagement.
The advance was made along several ap-
prOches in handsome manner, not man
falling out Of the ranks. The different sides
of the hills were sleeper than Missionary
Ridge, still the troops, though encouDtering
a severe fire that emptied some saddles and
killed many horses, did not waver, but skir-
mished to the very top, the enemy abandon
ing his position and running to the next
height in the rear, slightly higher, and
crowned with natural defenses of lava rock.
In twenty minutes this height also was
charged from different sides and taken
Then commenced rapid pursuit OF the
flying Indians, who abandoned their spare
horses that were on the field-perhaps 200 Of
them-jaded and worthless. They also aban-
doned their provisions, ammunition and camp
material.
The hostiles struck for the thick pines
which crest the Blue Ridge, and again made
O stand, using the trees for defense. Again
the cavalry pressed them in front and on the
flank, and in few moments dislodged them
n third time, and pushed them four or five
miles further in the mountains. The rough
country and the great exhaustion Of horses
and men caused cessation Of the pursuit Tor
the day.
In this battle, five enlisted men were
wounded and probably twenty horses killed.
The enemy's loss In killed and wounded is
difficult to tell.
Their women, children and best horses were
well out of the way before the battle began,
seemingly towards the Grande Rande, the
flight being In that direction.
Capt. Bernard Is entitled to special credit
for this engagement, as indeed are the entire
company; his officers and men have done as
well as brave and true men can do. Could
you could then appreciate their loyal services
MCDOWELL. Major General.