Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-07-19
WALLA WALLA July 14th.

WALLA WALLA July l4th.
DEAR TELLER:-Just after Whitman
left with my last, news reached here OF
fighting on the Umatilla river just a.
bove the agency, and not but shor,
distance below Cayuse s!ati"n. The
five companies of cavalry under Der
nard had just passed through town
en- r"ute for Lewiston. A messenger
was sent for them to return, AMI in
about one hour, they rode back through
the town and went down towards Walla
Walla river. Orlando Robbins, chief Of
scouts was, with them. They purposed
TO proceed TO Vansy cle's canyon. thence
up it SO as to Intercept the Indians in
case they made for the Columbia. pre-
caution which think was useless. IN
less they succeeded in cleaning out the
forces at the agency and near Pendle
ton. The details Of yesterdays f.h'
are not in. The presence of the In
dams in that vicinity was first known
when they came down m Friday morn
ing and burned Cayu,a station. This
ralding party was not more than % in
number, and it was supposed to be "a
remnant of the main force left to at
tract attention by committing depreda
| tons while the main force succeeded in
moving, unm ,lested, towards the Grand
Ronde. On Friday afternoon. George
Coggins. Ed Bunker and man named
Foster left Meachams to 90 to Pende..
ton, while en- rou'e they were surprised
by a large party Of Indians. They at
tempted to talk with them and the In.
dams permitted them the pass through
their lines, but soon after they got
through they fred upon them. killing
CoggiLs and badly wouading Ed. Bun.
ker Ga brother to Eph.. OF lewiston
Foster and Bunker, (wounded) made
their escape. and were pursued three
miles aud then Bunker was left con.
cealed. Yesterday morning Cornover
with small party went ont from Pen.
dleton to make the attempt to rescue.
Bunker. They had proceeded hut two
aud a half miles iro,p Pendleton when
they were surprised by about 80 In
dams rising up and drove them back
to Pendleton. As good fortune would
have it. Miles with force Of 1875 men
had reached there, and Throck mort,n
was few miles west. They forthwith
dispatched teams to bring mp Thrck.
morton and his men. and Miles pro ICED
ed in the direction of the Indians and
engaged them ut about 8 A. NJ, short
distance above the agency. Their
number was constantly increased by sc.
ccssinns from the mountains in their
rear till their number swelled t., some.
where between 800 aud 500. So saw
different estimates.
Throckmorton soon came up with ar.
tillery, and fighting continued at long
range till nearly p. NJ. when the In
dams were driven towards the noun
tain. The courier who came in at -
midnight. says that he left about 6 p.
NJ. and that mp I" that tine no s"ldiers
was reported killed, bnt two had been
wounded. and they thought they had
killed from IL to 20 Indians. up to this
hour Of writing 8 A. NJ, nothing later
from the battle field.
AT 10 AN
Last evening meeting was called IT
the court house to organize a volume er
force, 107 names were soon enrolled
and officers chosen. and application
made to the Governor for arms. who as
! understand promptly responded with
the arms and ammunition. A small
patrol force was cut all night. at the
meeting Larango Teal came in and said
he had just been Informed Of the mnr-
der Of family consisting of husband,
wife and one child. about 8 miles from
this place on the other side Of the Gum
lane. and that the Indians had cut :heir
throsts. can get at no confirmation
OF this report this morning aud hence
cannot vouch for its truth. The people
are very much excited aud every variety
OF reports is in circulation. Not know