The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-07-17
THE INDIAN WAR.
Howard Fights a Battle.
The Indians Defeated After "a
Sharp lighthouses Of
the Troops.

AtfiAftlVt1 ootf AVs-kbC "
lowing telegram was received at the
War Office at an early hour this
morning
Preside, SAN Francisco, July 9.
General Sherman, Washington D.. C.:
The following despatch, received
from General Howard, dated head
of Birch Creek, July Ssh, at Pilot
Rock:
81 formed junction with the troops.
Wheaton had been ordered to meet
me under Throckmorton. 1t being
uncertain from conflicting reports
whether the main body Of the hos
tiles was neal the head Of Batter
Greek or near the Columbia crossing,
| sem two excellent scouts to place
their camp, and at sunrise moved two
columns, one under Throckmorton,
consisting OF two companies of artil-
lery, one of Infantry aud a few vol
unteers, which proceeded by the
stage road directly to Butler Creek
p~ostofice. The other columns, con-
sisting Of seven companies of the
First Cavalry as a battalion, under
Bernard, and ~severally commanded by
NJ. GREGG, Whipple, Bebdire, Win
tiers, Parnell, Ward and Bonus, with
about twenty of Robins scouts and
a Calling qua. | accompanied Ber-
nard's column.
1--WE had proceeded some three
miles toward the head of Batter
Creek when we met the two scouts.
who reported the Indians in force on
a height about three miles from us.
Bernard, taking the trot, moved
quickly into position over those
troublesome foothills, the least of
which is fenced by a canyon and
over a mile in the ascent. The cav
airy sped from hill to hill till in the
vicinity of the enemy, strongly post
ed on a rocky crest. All the com
panies, except NJ. Grego's, with the
jack train, were deployed and used
during the engagement. The ad-
vance was made along several ap-
proaches in q handsome manner, not
q man falling out of the ranks. The
different sides of the hill were steep
er than Missionary Ridge; still, the
troops, though encouDtering a severe
Ere that emplied some saddles and
killed many horses, did not waver,
but skirmished to the very top, the
enemy abandoning this position and
running to the next height in the
rear, slightly higher, and crowned
with natural defences of lava rock.
In twenty minutes the height was
charged from different sides and ia
ken. Then commenced @ rapid pur-
suit of the flying Indians, who aban-
doned their spare horses that were
on the field, perhaps two hundred,
most Of them jaded and worthless.
They also abandoned their provis-
ions, ammunition aud camp material.
The hostiles struck for the thick
pines which crest the blue ridge, and
again made a stand, usiLg the trees
for defence. Again the cavalry
pressed them in front and on the
flank, and in a few moments dis
lodged them a third time and push
ed them four or five miles further in
the mountains. The rough country
and the great exhaustion of horses
and men caused a cessation Of the
pursuit for to-day. In the battle
i've enlisted men. were wounded, and
probsbly twenty horses killed. The
enemy's loss in killed and wounded
is difficult to tell. Their women and
children and best horses were well
out of the way before the battle be-
gan, seemingly towards the Grande
Ronde. The flight is in that direc-
zion. Captain Bernard is entitled to
special credit for this engagement;
indeed, for the entire campaign, and
his officers and men have done as
we'll as brave and true men can do.
Could you know the difficulties of this
wilderness, you could then appreci-
their loyal services"
(Signed) Mcdowell,
Major General.
General Press Dispatel.
G. E- LII IN M,