The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-11-17
How the Valley Was Cleared
of Hostile Red Men.
FIGHTING IN TIE MOUNTAINS
Prowess Of cut-Monfh Jshn-saek OF the
MISUNDERSTANDING Indiaas TArough
the Snow.


tieFsman. Matters reached such q crisis
about the middle OF October Of taas wear
that Governor George Il. Curry, Of Oregon,
determined 10 try and suhdue thu, savage
cohorts. and to this end ma4e q czll for
volunteers. A large force. considering the
population at that time, Immediately re-
spoasled, sud ninety.ihres of Us from
Claekasnas county, enrolled our names
under Captain james X. Kelley, Company
G, FIRST regiment Oregon Militia Volunteers
On October Is, 1856. We started 10 the
front, arriving at the end OF four DAYS
at The Dalles. Crossing the CeluIn-
l,ia river at that point, WI maize
camp six miles to the north, where We
were informed il was necessary To elect a
captain, rs James X. Kelley had hssen pro-
melted 10 the colonelcy Samuel H. stafford
was slected our captain and Charles Cut
ting was chosen fagbearer The other
oftsceys we're ID. u. Hannah. lirst lieutenant,
and Games A. Pownei, second lieutenant.
All rveliminaTies being completed, we then
took 10 the field arriving in the k!Iekitat
valley November 6. We had seen no fresh
meat since leaving Portland. and the kill
ing of fine IA; COW By one ofour company
was hailed with delight b. all. The kiield-
tat was then yeritahle paradise for the
few stock running at large, the grass being
over six ieet tail and very dense.
Striking camp next day, we crossed the
Sianeoe mountains and came into the beau
tlfnl Simece valley. now embraced in the
Yakima reservation. On November Q we
made our way to a gap In the hills. through
which flows the Yakima river, then known
rs 1.-Two Bnttes.n Here the first active
engagements OF our campaign against the
willy and wicked children OF TIM forest
occurred. Our advance guard consisted of
companies commanded by Capsains Cor
nelius. Hembrie and Bennett. who drove
the Indians from their ambush in the
brush along the river. The sayages num-
bered about 800, and were disposed to be
ugly. Being driven from the valley they
entrenehed themselves in their rude for
tifications upon the buftes. A howiizer
was used in our first attempts 10 dislodge
thefn, bat the shots fell short, and q
charge was made upon the enemy by the
commands under Major Hallor and Cap
tain Augur, assisted by corps Ct volun-
teers, who charged up the rugged face of
the mountain, forcing the Indians from
their position and conn polling theTn TO flee
down the opposite side Of the butte in hot
haste.
Finding that the whites were determined
to force the fighting Mt short rangsi II pos
sible, the Indians made no effort 10 assist
the elimination, and kept at safe dis
lance out OF range That night we camped
at the base of the buties, near she river,
and the first dawn of the next day dis
closed the unwelcome sight of numerous
Indians lurking about from place to place
on top of the butte and TO emphaslze their
presence they occasionally sent a stray
bullet into our camp. An order was at
once given to drive them from their van
tAge ground, and our command ssparated,
one company going up the face Of the hill
and the remainder ming through the
canyon between the two bnttes. Just as We
reached the north side an Indian ON horse
back came ~ breakneck speed around the
BLUFF. within fifty yards OF as, and as he
passed Lieutenant ID. B. Hannah jumped
from his horse and. taking good aim With
his rifle. made an angel OF that noble red
man IN less time thail it tsEes 10 tell IT,
1t was near the same place, on the aide of
the mountain. that / made the first notch
in my s'trusty rife" by swelling tae num-
Der OF good Indians in the happy hunting
ground A party OF Us went out, contrary
TO orders, 10 see If we could not have a
little fan and reduce the number Of onr
foes at the same time.
Going 10 the ton Of the mountain, we
were greatly annoyed by an Indisn. who.
from the shelter OF large rock IN a guieh
below u. was trying 10 play = hand at or
game. lie would step cut IN full 'giew and
fire Al as and before We could bring q oear
on him he was safely ensconsed b,hind his
natural llseastworks. Watching my oppor-
taaity. slipped away fregn the crowd aud
rapialy made my way around tie biz, out
Of sight Of the pesky reaskin. bnsuspi-
cio,aS Of danger, ne stepped out 10 try
another shot az my comrades. bat before he
could ger his gan ia position les hifa have
one ia tie ribs, and. throwing his bis arms
above his beasl. with wiid yell be gently
PASSED into the spirit land Years after his
skull was fonnd by l.. IL Adkins. who
died recently at Yakima City, aud Is now
among hrs collection Of curio*.
Having run the Indians irom
the hills, we started on the
10Th at November 90 follow them MP she
Ahtannm valley, and, In e0mpsny wiih
Joseph Buf and Rn Indian gsiide known -
Cuf-monsh John, 1 separated from the
main body of oar command aud started
around the moEEtain. We had nelt pro-
eeedesi q great distance when oar IsnatlltA
guide called our assession to a. Inasan wito
was coming full tilt ia oar direction. Tie
slwash rode RAPIDLY toward -. and IS !
RULED the trigger Of my gun tha horse !
rode gave a sudden spring. throwing the
rauxxla OF nsy gun IN the ar where i Vas
discharged. NJ. fgsaiAn came up % with n
iew feet 81 aie, ana7I4ng a. Old brass
Hudson Bav Compauy' 5 revolver about tao
fees Ionu riEht at me, bat tie wsapssn
failed - 20 Oft BY this tune uiy
eaymse had dislo5grd nses ind Gar
ssss,tkv foe weas wAixxing By, soslnwtd
Sc ny saddle Animal ana CGS-4noslth job
close helsSna. Oar guide was riding good
horse saI soon ovsrsaok the fleeing savage
Placing tie NUKE q his gEn daseeslv be-
swesn ssse shoulders af the Indian. ossZ
John paElea the trigger and bsew hole %
that rsssskin that car could eTsHt
through. Twenty-sevsn yezrz isfse- lie
svsats recorded, / nlen Cat-a.eafh goesa
in pen9aetan, Or. and Ne had gFeaf Nass-
wzh afxgns eur campaign tea tse AkfEia
Waller. CATCHING nav owa and the lEssssAa >
b.~s@ ava mglawtnw cas.snaash JOAN 10
aeags.ss tie dead Indian u his sAlp. We
returned 50 the eoEanand
our mex stop w2z within swo nsAes g
the Catholic mission Several s ear znens
myself znonx the naEsoeg. vent Ep 70 vac
ED mission. and arriving thsre &c fazEld
sazas sen1s one ha1 prencde4 us. \ aos %
siexiimeat had heen done. hy ~beml Z ~-ts
nexsr ascersasnesi. aud The plAcs WAs de-
seYless rAnsssc~. evne4Exes. bsaas Afla
oSLsr E1mssh enzhAans were scaassFsd n