The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-07-16
THE INDIANS,
HOWARD AFTER THE HOS.
TILES
Engagement on Battle Creek-The
Indians Thrice Repulsed-Ga
liant Conduct of Officers
and Men.

SAN FaANcIsco, July 10.-A dispatch
received at the army headquarters here
from General Howard, dated Head of
Birch Creek, July 9Th, says that he found
Indians in force on the height near the
head of Battle Creek. He advanced two
colums, one under Throckmorton. con.
sistipg of two companies OF artillery, one
of infantry and few volunteers, and the
other under Bernard, consisting OF seven
companies efcavalry and twenty Of Rob-
bins scouts. Howard accompanied the
latter column. Bernard's scouts notified
him of the vicinity Of the hostiles, when
the cavalry moved forward at trot over
three foot hiils,each over a mile in ascent.
The Indians were strongly posted on a
rocky crest. One company was left with
the pack train, and the others deployed
and advanced hands ,mely under a heavy
fire. The ascent is described as sleeper
than ihat at Missionary Ridge. but not Il
man broke rank, though several saddles
were emptied and many horses killed.
4 Fne enemy was driven from his position
to another height in the rear, of greater
elevation and crowned with natural de-
fences Of lava rock. In twenty minutes
this position was also stormed from diff.
ferent sides at once and rapid pursuit
commenced Of the flying Indians, who
| abandoned horses, provisions, ammuni.
Ition and camp material. The, hostiles
made for the thick timber crowning the
Blue Ridge and made another stand, but
were again dislodged and pushed four OF
five miles further in the mountains. The
rough country and great exhaustion of
/ the men caused cessation Of the pursuit
fer to day. In this engagement five men
were wounded and about thirty horses
killed. tits impossible to state the loss
OF the enemy. Their women and chill
dren and their best horses were moved
before the eight began, apparently in the
direction of Grand Ronde, and the hos.
titles fed in that direction. The officers
and men behaved in the best possible
manner throughout the entire affair.
! SAN FRANCISCO, July 10.-A Portland
dispatch just received from Wallula, un
der date Of the 9th, says that Yesterday
evening just after the passage Of the train
from Walla to this place band of sixty
Indians crossed The railroad about six
miles from this place all we'll armed
They professed great friendship for the
whites and claimed to be Moses Indians
sent to aid in fighting the hostiles, Bu
few people here believe their story and
think them some of Moses restless spir
its going to join the hostiles Tonight
some Eve or six families arrived from
Lower Yakima, having been notified BY
the friendly Indians to leave the country
as the hostiles were expected to cross the
Columbia and raid the whole region.
i Tue following was received from Pen
dleton: Gen Howard left Pilot Rock a
6 o'clock A. NJ, July, 9Th, going toward
Willow Springs, The scouts reported tC
Howard this morning that there wer,
about $50 Indians at or near Willow
lSprings, and Howard pushed forward tc
meet them, and probably ere this has en-
gagged them.
u The following is from Umatella, July
: 9th: A letter received from Pendelton
. July 9th, by Gov. Chadwick, says: Gen
Howard attacked the Indians at Beaple,
+ Mill. The hcstiles are about 400 strong
Howard repulsed them three times and i
: still fighting. He captured from 400 t.
J 500 head of stock, together with provis
lions and ammunition. Fifteen wounded
two mortall.y ri
4 [Signed ]. B. KEENEY