The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-11
PRICE TWO CENTS.
GEN. H0WARD'S OPERATIONS.
A BATTLE IN WHICH FIVE ENLISTED
MEN HERE BOUNDED.


Pursuing the Indinn. from HI, to I'm through
Fire that Emptied Many saddies-The Red
Men Making Abortive Stand In the Pines
WASHINGTON, July 10.-The following tel.
eRram has been received from San Francisco:
To GEN SHERMAN: The following despatch
was received from Gen. Howard. dated Head Of
Birch Creek. July g. at Pilot Rock;
formed junction with the troops. Whea-
ton has been ordered to meet me under
Throckmorton. 1t being uncertain. from
conflicting reports. whether the main body
OF the hostiles was near the head OF But
Ter creek or nearer the Columbia crossing. I
sent two excellent scouts to place their camp.
and at sunrise moved two columns. one under
Throckmorton consisting Of two companies Of
artillery. one OF infantry and a few vol
unteers. which proceeded by the stage
road directly to Butler Creek Post Oflce.
The other column consisted Of seven
companies First Cavalry as battalion
under Bernard. and severally commanded
by McGregor. Whipple. Bendire, Winters,
Parnell. Ward. and Bonus. with about twenty
OF Robbns's scouts and Gatling gun. l ac-
companied Bernards column. We had pro-
ceeded some three miles toward the head
OF Butler creek when We met the two
scouts. who reported the Indians in
force on 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 canon
and over mile in the ascent. Tho cavalry sped
from hill to hill till in the vicinity OF the enemy
strongly posted on n rocky crest. all the COM
panies except McGregor's with the jack train.
were deployed and used during the engage
ment.
Tho advance was along several approachesia 10
handsome manner. not man falling out OF
the ranks. The different sides OF the hill were
sleeper than Missionary Ridge. still the troops.
though encountering n severe fire that empted
some saddles and killed many horses. did not
waver. but skirmished to the very top the enc.
my abandoning his position and running TO tho
next height in rear slightly higher. especially
crowned with natural defences by lava rock.
In twenty minutes the height was charged from
different sides and taken. Thence commenced
a rapid pursuit of flying Indians. who aban-
doned their spare horses that were on the field,
perhaps 200. mostly la led and worthless, also
prr9ysions. ammunition. and camp material.
The hostiles struck for the thick pines which
crest the Blue Ridge, md again made stand.
using the trees for defence. Again the cavalry
pressed them in front and on the flank and in
few minutes disodged them third time. and
pushed them four or five miles further in the
mountains. The rough country and the great
exhaustion OF horses and men caused cessa>
ton Of pursuit for to-day.
nthis batrle five enl listed men were wounded
and probably twenty horses killed. The ene-
my's loss. in killed and wounded is difficult to
in drove were well out, of the way, before tho
haitle began. seemingly toward the Grande
Ronde. Tho flight is in that direction.
Capt. Bernard is entitled to special credit for
this engagement. as, indeed. for the entire cam.
paign and his officers and men did rs we'll as
brave and @ true men only can doi Gould YOU
j. Mcdowell. Major General"