The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-07-19
THE INDIAN WAR.

wards Wallowa Valley, with the proba-
bic intention of crossing Snake River
into Idaho. Gen. Howard was so
thoroughly convinced that this was cor
rect that he ordered his infantry to
wallula to take boats for Lewiston,
hoping to intercept the Indians on
Snake Riyer. Following is the dispO-
sition Of the other forces, taken from
Howards official report:
Sanford's three companies of cavalry
and Miles infantry are TO follow the
Indian trail Egbert operates from
Baker City, guarding against return
by trails between him and the Piutes
TO the lakes. Bernard is now ut For
syth's and moves with six companies of
cavalry north toward Lewiston. am
en- route to Lapwai, Mount Idaho and
vicinity with an infantry force to head
the enemy at the Snake crossing.
Throckmorton is near Pendleton and
will be strengthened by Nisener's COM
panies to quiet the excited people.
This was Howard's plan on Friday,
the 18th. On the afternoon of that
day three men, in attempting to go
frem Meachamss Station in the Blue
mountains to Pendleton, were attacked.
One of them was killed, another wounded
and the other two barely escaped. It
was such perilous adventure that we
viii here give the telegraphic account
Of it:
On Friday afternoon about half past
: l, Geo. Coggan, in company with Al.
Bunker and Mr.. Foster, started from
Meacham's for Pendleton. They had
not proceeded far when they came
across a band of about 200 Indians
who were driving a large band oi
: horses. The Indians paid no attention
J to Coggan and his party and permitted
them to pass on unmolested. They
had gone but short distance when {
portion of the Indians, about forty
: turned to pursue them. Coggan ana
$ his party put spur to their animals
& and attempted to outrun them. Fostel
and Bunker, who were mounted OF
: good animals, succeeded, but Coggan
9 who was poorly mounted, his hors
e being an old stage animal, fell behinC
,. and was soon surrounded by the blood
thirsty savages, who speedily dispatches
him The Indians followed shor
. distance, keeping up their fire. Dun
d ing the pursuit Bunker received tw
Ie wounds in his side and another in hi
n right hip. Foster, although in grea
ii danger himself, assisted Bunker to II
meunt. They moved rapidly on, tn
b Indians following but a short distanct
5 1t soon became apparent that Bunke
d could not longer keep his horse. Al
N cordingly he was carefully bestowed b
a his companion in secluded spot. Fe
= tar without further delay proceeded {
a Pendleton, when, upon relating whs
le had befallen his companions, Col. Corr
IN oyer with party of twelve men starte
!, out to recover Coggan's body and brin
in Bunker Soon after starting the
met large band of Indians and wer
compelled to return.
Geo. Coggan, the man mentione
l above as being killed, is proprietor
{ the st. Charles Hotel. at Portland
le After the Cornoyer party had bee
compelled to go back, Col. Miles, VIII
ie had just arrived at Pendleton with 80
i regulars and infantry, Immediately too
Of up his march for the front At about
re o'clock on Saturday morning they a
at rived near Cayuse Station, which Il
. Indians had burned. Here they e.
~ ~ countered about 400 Indians Here
a the report Of the battle:
id Getting his men into position Celon
ay Miles opened FIRE on the hostiles, wi
in returned it, but without effect neith'
ng side sustaining any injury. This W
continued without intermission until
o'clock, when the Indians attempted
charge Miles lines, but were driven o
the redskins being unable to stand Il
or FIRE from the howitzers. In this char
ne the Indians sustained considered los
is those present estimating their dead
BE Is. Miles casualties consists of t1
,s+ men wounded-one In the arm and &
other in the leg-neither of which a
is considered dangerous. Shortly aft
t, one o'clock the Indians fell back
for wards the mountains.
The reporter goes ON to add that ii
N, is the first battle during the campaiI
sn- in which the Indians have attempted
rec charge, The conflict can hardly
be called battle as Miles says that on
Or count of the overwhelming force again
him, he only wished to prevent the {
vance of the hostiles, and, if possib
hold them in check until reinforc,
- This he gallantly did, and when I
fact that his force was afoot and
~ savages well mounted, is taken il
consideration the result of the fe
y will be better appreciated. Ameng
,ou interested spectators were a large ba
Of Umatillas who took sides W
,un neither party but appeared to reli
,l the sport. 1t is said that number
ao young men belonging to this tri
o under Wenap Snoot, have Joined
hostiles. Col. CorEoyer reports Il
far. the young warriors have passed beyC
his control.
After the fight party succeeded
getting Coggan's body, which had b.
ted frightfully mutilated by the red dev