Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-10
INDIAN
General Howard Finds the Hos
tiles in Force and At
tacks Them.
They are Defeated and Driven IAtO
the MOuntaiRs-Capture Of
Stock and Ammunition.

oAN FRANCISCO, July lO.-A dispatch
received at army headquarters here frOm
General Howard, dated Head Of birch
creek, July Sth," says he found the In
dams in force on a hight near the head
Of Butler creek. He advanced two col.
umns, one under Throckmorton, con-
sisting OF two composites OF artillery, one
Of infantry and a few volunteers, and
tho other under Bernard, consisting of
seven companies OF cavalry and twenty
Of Robbins scouts. General Howard
accompanied the latter column. Der.
nard's scouts notified him Of the vicinity
OF the hostiles, when the cavaly moved
forward at q trot over three
foot hills, each over q mile in
ascent. The Indians we're strongly
posted on a rocky crest. One company
ives left with the pack train aud others
deployed and advanced handsomely un-
der a heavy FIRE. The ascent is described
as sleeper than that at Missionary Ridge.
but no mar broke ranks, though several
saddles we're emptied and many horses
killed. The enemy was driven from
their position to another height in
the rear, of greater elevation and
crowned with natural d~efences of lava
rocks, In twenty minutes this position
was also stormed from different sides ct
once and a rapid pursuit commenced Of
the flying Indians, who abandoned their
horses, provisions, ammunition and camp
material. The hostiles made for a thick
timber browning the Blue Ridge, and
made another stand, but were again dis
lodged and pushed four or FIVE miles fur
Their in the mountains. The rough coun-
try and great exhaustion of the men and
horses caused a cessation of the pursuit
for to day.
In this engagement five enlisted men
were wounded and about twenty horses
killed. 1t is impossible to state the loss
of the enemy. Their women and chill
dren and best horses we're moved back
before the fight began, apparently in the
direction of Grande Ronde, and the hos
tiles fed in that direction. The officers
and men behaved ia the best possible
name throughout the affair.
A Portland dispatch Just received here
from Wallula, under date Of the 9th, says:
Just after the passing of the train from
Walla Walla to this place a band Of sixty
Indians crossed the railroad about siz
miles from this place, all well armed.
They protested great friendship for the
whites, and claimed to be Moses Indians
sent to aid in fighting the hostiles, bur
few people here believe their story anC
think them some of Moses restless
spirits going to join the hosliles. Las
night some five or six families arrived
from lower Yakima. having been mott
fed by a friendly Indian to leave tn,
country, as the hostiles we're expected
to cross the Columbia and raid the who'll
region.
The following, received from Pendle
ton, says General Howard left Pilot Roc
at 6 o'clock on the morning Of July 9Th
going toward Willow Springs. Scout
reported to General Howard this morn
ing that there were about two Lundrer
and fifty Indians at or near Willo,
Springs, and Howard pushed forward t
meet them, and probably ere this hs
engaged them.
The following letter dated the 9th,
from Umstilla via Pendleton, to Gov
Chadwick:
General Howard attacked the Indian
at Bessley's Mil. The hostiles are abou
iour hundred strong. Howard repulse
them three times and ia still Sighting
He has captured from four To Eve hu1
dred head Of stock, together with a 10
Of provisions and ammunition. Fiftee
were wounded, two MORALLY.
[Signed,1 J. B. KEEYY.