, 1883-07-28

tachment had been stationed here at
the centre of the portage regularly
for some months and suffered the
first onslaught Of the Indians, losing
one Of their number; but they kept
them at bay for some thirty hours,
although they numbered six against
more than one hundred. Soon a
spirited firing was heard still on
toward the lower portage. This
proved to be the skirmishers COM
manded by Lieutenant Phil Sheri-
dan, who, with his usual energy,
was driving the hostiles from that
vicinity.
The action of the military from
The Dalles above and the garrison Of
Vancouver below was simultaneous I;
50 the redskins were compelled to
vacate the whole section they had
contemplated devastating and which
they had rendered quite undesirable
for settlement for some years. A
system Of securing the brush by
skirmishers was kept up for several
days, until the enemy could no long
er be found or heard. Many anus
ing and serious mishaps occurred
among the raw soldiers, especially
at night, when burnt stumps and
black bowlders were easily clothed
with blankets and other savage SEM
blances. A remnant Of the war party
was captured on an island just be-
low the middle rapids, to which re-
fuge they were chased with much
difficulty and danger. The able
bodied buck, numbering eight, were
very promptly hanged by order Of
our commander, after an examina-
tiOn by a commission of officers.
They all met their death stOically,
with the exception of one burly and
powerful fellow, who so excited the
ire Of an eccentric lieutenant that
the latter discharged the contents Of
his revolver into the body while it
was swinging from the scafFOld. The
dragons were kept constantly busy
after the fighting ended in hunting
up the victims Of the slaughter. All
were finally found, numbering about
twenty-three. Several instances OF
barbarity were disclosed in our search
and traces Of desOlatiOn were abund-
ant. | am, however, happy to say
since this trouble the peaceful dwell
lers in the shadows Of those gigantic |
mountains have not been again dis
turbed BY the savages.
The troops remained at the Cas-
cades until two substantil block
houses had been erected. Leaving |
a sufficient garrison, they departed /
f0r tlfo ~ sstaaasI..-l-sssu..l.-f-r rI-l.-
dragons proceeded to Hood river,
where they had the pleasure and |
pain Of again meeting the Yakimas,
who in retreating TO their own coun-
try had halted at this point on the .
Columbia, midway between thepOrt-
age and The Dalles, TO fire and de- |
strOy some cabins and drive off some
cattle. As they were posted on the |
north or opposite bank, considerable .
risk was encountered in crossing and .
dislodging them, the soldiers having
to quit their horses and cross in Chi f.
nook canoes. After this affair the .
Yakima expedition was organized |
by Colonel Wright which campaign |
lasted until the SHOWS Of winter set |
in. Several small skirmishes took |
place and those Indians were sub ,
dued and Fort SimcOe established in
their midst, the first commanding
officer being Major Robert Garnett,
Of the Ninth Infantry. This narra-
tive may seem prOsy In the light Of
the stupendOus events Of war and
frontier life that have since trans
pired, but the events occurred at an
early day in the isolated northwest
and many years were required to re-
pair the damages and great suffering
was entailed. None who CLEAN their
information from the floating para
graph concerning these matters can
experience the thrill Of horror felt
by those who Immediately witnessed
them. Frequently of late years,
whilst whirling along in the railroad
train which now graces the great
portage Of the Columbia, l have been
informed by "tOurists' Of the scenes
set forth and shown the old barri-
cade where the gallant Phil with.
stood the attacks of hundreds Of
painted braves, when bread and wa
ter was exhausted and life hung
trembling in the balance. No won
der these heroic deeds should be at
tributed to one who has actually
passed through so many fiery scenes.
s. r. Chronicle.