The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-08-29
THE INDIAN WAR OF 1866.

a desire TO see the interpreter. McB-
accordingly rode out toward them
when they inquired for their chief, and
were told that he was even then per.
! ambulating the camas-eovered wales Of
the "happy hunting-erounds." On
hearing this they simultaneously dis
charged their muskets in the air, as a
signal to their comrades, doubtless,
and, wheeling, dashed of among the
hills, and Immediately we were fired
upon from rifie-pits, sunk during the
night, on all sides Of US, as well as from
the dense thickets Of willows that
skirted the several small water-eourses
in the vicinity. Nor were they con-
tented to act on the defensive only, but
charged our position repeatedly during
the day, and, Though we had a good po-
stion for defense, they evinced a
bravery in assaulting US that quickly
disabused our minds Of the idea that
Zone white man is equal to five Indians
in battle" 1t is a thrilling sight to
witness a charge by band Of yelling
Indians. Let hundred Of these noun
tain scamperers, painted and bedecked
in their gaudy and fantastic manner,
mounted upon steeds that for speed and
sureness Of foot are not excelled any
where; let them come dashing directly
toward you, carrying aloft their Grim
son streamers, brandishing their gilt
tering weapons and cleaving the very
heavens with their demOniac yells, and
you will be satisfied with the first per-
formanee, and will not encore them.
Often during the day did daring saw
ages, singly or in numbers, dash toward
Us, almost with the velocity Of the wind,
whooping in a manner that is alto
gether indescribable, and must be heard
to be realized. Then, throwing them
selves on the sides of their horses, dis
charge their firearms, and, wheeling,
be out Of range almost before our ejacu-
lations, consequent upon the residence
OF. our antiquated muskets, bad died
upon the air.
IL now seemed evident that the In
dians must be driven from their strong
hold, or we must speedily be cut to
pieces. Accordingly Captains Bennett
and Layton undertook the hazardous
task Of driving them from a log house,
while Captain Wilson and Lieutenant
Jeffries charged upon a dense thicket,
from whence they were pouring a
steady, telling fire upon Us. l can
never forget the imposing appearance Of
Captain Bennett as he started upon his
march to death. Taking his position at
the head of his handful Of men and
swinging his sword aloft, in a shrill
voice he gave the command "COm-
pany f, forward double quick :
charge % And up the gentle slope he
led them. Suddenly binding sheet of
flame darted from the crevices Of the
cabin, aud our gallant leader fell to rise
no more, Lieutenant Burris dead by his
side. For a while the column wavered,
but when Lieutenant Fellows sprang
into the breach and shouted Forward
aud avenge your leaders ~ all charged
forward, not man faltering, and
gained the cabin to see the last Indian
escaping on horseback.
I cannot recall at this writing the
names Of those who perished OF were
wounded in that fatal charge, but
doubt not many will read this Imperfect
sketch who still bear marks received al
that cabin, or who will turn in memory
to the time when the sad news reaehe,
them that near and dear friends hal
perished while gallantly contendinl
against four times their number on tina
/ November day. Night at length mer
cifully drew her sable curtain over US
and we addressed ourselves to the sa
duty Of caring for the dead and wounded
many Of the latter being in the agonie
Of death. We had gained some advar
tages during the day, but at a fearfJ
cost. Bennett, Burris, Layton, Mile
Jeffries, Drew, Snooks and Gervais, a
3 gallant officers, whose advice and eX
. ample we so greatly needed, were eitht
still in death, or so severely wounde
! that they could not participate in Ii
e morrow's struggle. And when it
known that the Indians seemed to (
receiving reinforcements all the tim
and that those we were hourly expee
ing had nOt yet arrived, il will be see
, that our prospects were by no NEAR
cheering. The third day the Indiar
seemed more careful of their precior
lives, and, though the day was sigma
lied by many daring exploits Of some
p their number, they generally kept at
D respectful distance from our venerab
, smooth-bores. During the day an Il
dian ventured too close, and his hori
was shot from under him. He then a
D tempted escape on foot, but was SOC
r run down, and, after being shot throug
the spine, continued, while resting c
q his elbow, to discharge arrow aft
D arrow with surprising rapidity, until
{ ball from a revolver not nine PAGES di
: tant dispatched him. On this da
. Lieutenant Shepard, Of Company
I. was severely wounded in the arm viii
], charging some rifle-pits, but he new,
left the field.
I In one Of the companies was Cri
t pin who seemed to wax desperate, al
c determined to cut himself loose from a
restraint and put an end to the confii
at nncn He accnrliinrlu nrncnadnd