The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-11
AN INDIAN BATTLE.
It FOLLOWED MASSACRE BY NEz PIERCE WARRIORS
WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT.

Salmon river. Then with considerable diff
ficulty he crossed his " command into
that same country between the Salmon and
the Snake, which is az rough and rugged as
Switzerland. and Immediately set himself TO
follow the Indians trail. They had hur-
ried down the left bank of the Salmon, over
the mountainous crags, toward the mouth
OF that swift river, and without hesitation
recrossed the mad stream at Craig's
ferry. Our troops, unlike the Indians, who
swim their plucky ponies and drag their skin
RATS after them, were obliged to delay for
two or three days constructing and attempt
ing to use a large timber raft. But mean
while the general had sent back OH his
Lapwai route the regular cavalry,
part of which was to hold Norton's ranch
and part to bring up supplies from Fort
Lapwai. Eleven cayalrymen Of this force
under Lieut.. Rains went out from Norton's
to reconnoitre. 1t was just after Joseph
and his Indians. having got over Craig's
ferry. were turning back to pass between
Norton's and Grangeyille, and aiming fur
ther north toward Kamiah. The Indians
evidently surprised the lieutenant n his
party, and without mercy massacred them
all. Again, seventeen mounted volunteers
about the same time set out from Mount
Idaho to 90 to Norton's when they also
were cut of by a swarm of savage warriors
and several of them were slain. Gen. How
ard about this time lost his new raft in the
wild torrent, and could not effect a crossing.
Just then. through an Indian messenger,
James Reuben, who swan his horse across
the fierce river. he heard of the state of
matters at Norton's and vicinity. and as
the best thing to do turned back on his
trail, and by the help of a few skiffs re-
crossed the Salmon and Whitebird. The
pack horses and mules held by their halters
would follow a skiff our or five at a time,
but would take the water in no other way,
F0TcpI Fu4rchaG were nnY maIa hy thu
troops to intercept the Indians. A small
number of volunteers. which the general
had sent back before him across the Salmon
by the Rocky Canon, now pushed on boldly
after the Indians, who appeared to be NOV
ing toward Kamiah. The savages soon
stopped to gather food and new recruits
from the Lapwai reservation, for their re-
pnted success was fast bringing TO them the
hesitating. They pitched their lodges in
the valleys along the Clear water near the
mouth of the Cottonwood creek. The vol
unteers cautiously avoiding them assembled
Round hill, a high butte in the neighbour
hood. and put themselves on the watch.
During the first night, however, a party of
Indians stole their horses. setting about 40
of them on foot. but did not undertake to
further modest them. General Howard had
already sent word by a daring officer to
these volunteers to stay there quietly while
he was working his troops around the In
oiah cnnp ny HI way oI odchbOn 3 DEluRe,
with a view to get beyond the entire hostile
force and. possible, compel Joseph to ac-
cept battle. The 10th of July was a busy
day. Country wagons were used to carry a
third of the infantry at a time while the
rest were marching. That day by this help
they made thirty-eiRht miles. the longest
one DAYS march of the campaign. The
command crossed the south branch of the
Clear water and encamped between that
and the main river at Wallis farm. This
place was at least a dozen miles beyond the
Indian lodges, OF the northeastern edge of
the wild. rough plateau, before named,
where the battle WIS destined to be fought.
Joseph whitebird, Hooi-hool-sute. Oiicut.
Josephs tall brother, and Looking glass.
who had Just joined after being for some
time neutral, agreed in council that they
we're now strong enough to engage the main
force. They knew now from what direction
their enemies would approach them. They
would get together, all mounted, conceal
themselves in the deep valleys of thee otton-
wood, the Clear water branch and the
n~eiRhboring canon, and be ready to run no
the valley of the branch toward the east
and make an attack at the word. Each