New-York tribune., 1878-07-11


20 have averted the danger OF q generai
Indian war in the Northwest. Reports from
+he agents in Oregon show some OF the causes
oF d;soontent among the Indians. General
Sberidon,s trip to the Black Hills is for the
purpose of locating military post
HOWARD'S FIGHT.
MS MEN CHARGE UP STEEP RIDGES AND DRIVE The
IypIAys THREE TIMES, CAPTURING THEIR CAMP,
PROVISIONS AND HORSES.
IGENERAL PRESS DIsPATcH.l
SAN FRANe1 sCO July 10.-Dispatches received at
Army Headquarters here from General Howard yes
terday. dated lat the head of Birch Creek" state
tbat General Howard left Pilot Rock, place about
.ont,, niles directly south of PendletOn in North
eoster, Oregon at 6 a. m., July 8, going toward
w,uo,, Snriogq. Scouts soon reported that there
,,ao a body of Indians at or near Willow Springs,
onl Gen,rsl Howard pushed forward to meet them.
rTbo I,po of march from Pilot Rock must have been
,yesya Nv across the valleys Of two or three small
streams which run north and empty into the Una
fila River and then nOrtherly, the column sklrthg
a oreat mountain ridge which lifts its head mere
above the surrounding valleys, about twenty-five
miles southwest of PendletOn. Along the north
side of the foothills of this ridge runs the Umaua
River. Along the east side runs Blrch Creek'
which flows nOrthwardly and emptles INTO tne
Umatilla Along the west side runs Butter OreeA
the stream rising among the foothills of the
mountain.l General Howard found the lhulahs III
force near the head Of Batter Creek.
Howard advanced in two columns-one uDder
Tbrockmortou. consisting of two companies OF ar
tillerv. one of infantry and few volunteers; and
the other under Bernard, consisting of seven COM
nonies of cavalry and twenty of Robbinss scouts,
General Howard accompanying the latter column.
Rernards scouts informed him of the vicinity of the
hostile Indians when the cavalry moved forward al
trot over three foot hills, each over a mile In
ascent The Indians were strongly posted on aTocky
crest One company was left with the pack train.
The Others deDOyed and advanced Handsomely
uuder heavy fire. The ascent is described sleeper
than that of Missionary Ridge, but no man broke
ranks though several saddles were emptled ana
many horses killed. The enemy was driven from
the position TO another height in the rear OF greater
elevation and crowned with natural detences OF
lava rocks. In twenty minutes this position was
also stormed from different sides at once, and q
rapid pursuit of the flying Indians began. The
savages abandoned their horses, provisions, anmu-
milton and camp material and pushed Tor timex
timber cTOwning Blue Ridge, where they made
another stand. They were again disodged and
pushed four or five miles further into the noun
tains. The rough country and the great exhaustion
of the men caused cessation OF the pursuit Tor the
dag.
In this engagement five enlisted men were
wounded and about twenty horses killed. 1t is i'm
possible to state the loss OF the enemy. Their women
and children and best horses were moved before the
fight began, apparently in the direction of Grande
ROnde and the Indians fed in that direction.
About 400 head of stock were captured.
Officers and men behaved in the best possible
manner throughout the whole affair.
General Howards official report to General Nc
Dowell adds little to the above account of the
battle. 1t says, however, that being uncertain from
conflicting reports whether the main body of the
hostile Indians was near the head of Butler Creek
OF nearer the Columbia Crossing, the General sent
Two excellent scouts TO place their camp and at sun
rise moved two columns, one under lhrOckm0rt0n,
consisting of two companies of artillery one OF ln-
faptry, aud few volunteers, which proceeded by
the stage road directly to Butler Creek post office
The other column consisted of seven companies list
Cavalry, battaliOn under Bernard, ana seVeIaly
commanded by McGTegOr, Whipple. BeadiVe. VIM
teTs Parnel Ward and Barnes, with about twenty of
RobDinss scouts and Gattli9g gun. They met the
from hill to hill, till In the vicinity OF the enemy
strongly posted on rocky crest. All the cOmpa-
MES except McGTegOrs with tile jack train were
deployed, aud used during the engagement: Cen
era Howard says: Captain Bernard is entitled to
special credit for this engagement, as indeed for
the entire campaign, and his officers and men dId
as well as brave and true men only can do. Could
you know the difficulties of this wilderness, you
would then appreciate their loyal services"
SHERIDANS TRIP TO THE BLACK HILLS.
A MILITARY POST TO BE LOCATED-No DANGER
FROM SITTING BULL-HowARDas VIGOROUS CAM
PAIGN.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNK.l
WASHINGTON, July 1O.-General Sheridan's visit
to the Black Hills has given rise to the report that
he has gone there in consequence of appTehensiOns
Of further Indian troubles, and TO take personal
command in case of necessity. This s at least only
partially true
The chief motive of his visit is to select site for
the new military post which Congress provided
for, to be located in the Black Hills. General
Sheridan has been in correspondence with many
persons in that region who claim to be the owners
Of land which is well adapted for the purposes of
frontier military post but he has found 1T impos-
sible to decide upon location without a personal
inspection. Colonel Bacon accompanies General
Sheridan and will report directly TO the General Of
the Army on the results.
dispatch from General Sheridan says that he
apprehends demonstration from Sitting Bulls
forces, as they are well watched both by the Cana
dian police and the United States troops. He thinks
that the vigorous campaign in the far Northwest
VIII end the there, and that it will be succeeded
Dy season Of peace throughout the entire Indian
country No danger, he says, threatens from any
Other direction. General Sherman comedies with
he opinions expressed by General Sheridan. and says
that the appreheDsions (well founded, few weeks
agol OF general Indian war, are no longer to DO
entertained This favorable change he attributes
70 the skill and energy which have been exercised by
the army, and the bold front il has been able to
present at the points most seriously threatened;
ne ADDS that the settlements which are being pushed
up the Yellowstone create perfect barrier against
iutufe invaslOns.
AT THE AGENCIES
TIE KLANATHs DISCONTINUED BUT PEAcEABLE-
700 INDIANS FROM MALuEUR ON THE WAR