The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-07-09
THE INDIANS.
A Company Of Volunteers De-
feated.
Nearly All Killed or wounded.
Gen. Howard in Pursuit of the SaYages.

PORTLAND, Oregon, July S-Governor Chad
wick now at Umatilla, telegraphs under the
date of the 9TH as follows:
The volunteers under Sperry, 50 strong, were de-
feated at Willow Springs, thirty miles south of PEN
dieton, yesterday Sperry was killed, and nearly all
his command killed or wounded. We can hear Of
but seven lett.
The following has been received from N. B.
Sinnott, dated the 9th:
Stages from Canyon city report the Indians strong
ly fortified twenty-five miles from Canyon city, wait
ing to give Howard battle. Towards force was ex-
are 1900 Indians 1t is supposed that 1000 are armed
The following despatch was also received
from the headquarters of the Department of
Columbia in the field, July 9Th, directed to
Frank Wheaton, second infantry, Walla Wal
la:
Immediately hire steamboat, equip it with artillery
and patrol the Columbia river in order to intercept
the Indians, should they attempt to cross. The
present location of the Indians is the north fork of
John Days river, the mouth of Granite Creek.
IT they continue northward they will strike the Co.
1 ,nmba river somewhere about the mouth Of Will
passing by the head of McKay's creek. and keep to
the left OF Grand Route. You will keep bright
into your neighborhood. General Howard was with
the cavalry and will follow on the trail Dauforth
has been ordered from Malheur report to Grover.
Egbert has been ordered from Boise, making fast
time on the stage road northward. The Umatila In
dams have joined the hostile Indians, all stealing
horses and moving with them. The trail indicates a
large number, with about 1000 horses.
Col. MASON.
Gen. Howard was 20 miles from Campas
prairie this morning and would move on to-
day. Howard told scout that the Indians
would cross the Columbia between Lewiston
and Dallas, and possibly go out by Grande
Throckmorton has the command of companies
from Walla Walla, having all left Pendleton
for Pilot Rock on Birch Greek, about Is miles
from Pendleton. and IS miles from Camas
prairie, where the Indians are in force about
1000. 1t looks as if a crisis YVES near.
A Umatilla courier from Portland July 7th
brings the following to Governor Chadw at
Umatilla:
We are in great danger here from Indians. Our
troops that went to the front from here, fifty strong
must be over half ifnot thirds, killed. Of those
who were in three were wounded and they report
several others wounded before they got out. We
have about 300 men here, and not One-half armed.
hundred soldiers left here at seven this afternoon
to relieve our men.
WASHINGTON, July 8.-The following was
received at the War Department today:
Preside, SAN FRANCISCO, July5
Gen. Sherman, Washington
A delayed dispatch from Howard dated Grindstone
Greek, Jan. 29th reports that the hostile Indians
were about days march ahead of him apparently
moving towards Waalua Valley Wheaton tele-
graphs from Walla walla that the movement north
ward anticipated by him has actually occurred.
Agent Common informs him that the Umata Indi-
ans fought 400 hostile Snakes all day July g. killing
thirty and losing two at point forty miles south OF
Walla Walla. That the people from Umatilla and
Walalua are coming for protection to Walla Walla,
and that the people six miles from Pendleton have
been driven in by hostile Indians. Wheaton is I'M
certain whether the Indians intend crossing Snake
river near its mouth or whether they will turn east
near the Snake river country. He asks for troops.
lie has not yet been in communication with Howard
as telegraphed you on I'd inst.
(Signed) MCDOWELL, Maj. Gen.
SAN FRANCISCO, July ga Portland des.
patch says the following despatch has just been
received here from Gov. Chadwick:
UMATILLA, July g, 1870 a. M.
Major Kress at o'clock this morning went down
the river on the steamer Spokane to Cogate, a sta
ton 10 miles below this place. Two miles this side
Of the station he found hostile Indians crossing with
some of the horses returned to the Oregon side and
others crossed the river. The Major made attack
ON the Indian camp and destroyed it and everything
about IL including all The canoes. A number Of
saddle blankets and buffalo robes were found at the
camp. Squads of hosiles have been in sight all the
morning with their stocks. Scouts are out and Gen.
Howard was at Pilot Rock yesterday, undoubtedly
moving this way. One small band of Indians with
ABOUT ~ head OF horses passed down the opposite
sde and are In sight of this place this morning to
join the hostes that crossed below. friendly In
ties. Two would go below the landing and one
above, but he would not tell where they would Cross
They are scattering TO gather in the renegade In
dams for pr0tracted campaign. Major Kress is
now patrolling the river. shall communicate with
Gen. Howard today.