The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-01-11

Matters were yet substantially unchanged
at dawn, except that an offensive plan had
been promulgated. 1t was, first, to re
cover the spring; second, that every man
should have his breakfast, not emitting
cup of coffee for each; third, to withdraw
Captain Miller's artillery battalion Gall that
were serving as Infantry from the front
line. Fourth, at an hour appointed Miller
was to form column. move cut southwark,
pierce the hostile curve and, when just far
enough across, face to his right and roll up
that line. The howitzer battery aud all
other troops were to support and follow up
Nliller's movement if it should be success
full. But Joseph, seeming to anticipate some
continuance against him, had his own often
sive plan. He set in motion herd of
ponies, some three hundred strong, and di-
rected them across the space which was not
covered by our troops. He did it doubtless
with view to stampede our animals and
possibly break our ranks and terrify our
men. They ran swiftly, as herd of wild
animals can, keeping well together, but
were themselves turned from their straight
course by the discharge at them of a few
pieces; and they disappeared as suddenly
as they came without doing US any percep-
tible damage.
Our operation for the second day com
menced about sunrise. Miller had Otis
battery SO located as to shell the bushes and
! Perry's and Rodney's men, who were wait
ing on foot near at hand during the sheliing
at the command and with no little shouting,
made series of charges from hillock to
hillock, till the ground was cleared of
enemies far and near. Immediately picket
posts were so chosen and occupied, that a
man, going with pail to the water could
not again be molested. Soon, little fires
| had started and camp kettles were steam
ing. The handy soldier cooks, sent from
each company, made ready the hot coffee
and warmed up the food, so that before two
hours had expired officers and men had
been cheered and refreshed by a respecta-
BILE breakfast. The third thing devised, to
take away from the front several compa-
MES, was not so easy to execute. There
was strong protesting: "Oh no general our
lines are to weak already, 1t is not safe.'
But the general remained firm and should
cred all the risk. Captain Miller then eau
tiously withdrew his four companies; while
captains Miles and Perry stretched out
their battalion lines to ill the gap so
created. 1t was fortunate for US, perhaps,
that Joseph did not comprehend what we
were doing, so made no attack while the
companies were in motion. Miller at half
past two, the time designated was just
ready to start across the ravine held by the
Indians. His entire command, in waiting,
were filled with hope and expectancy, pre-
pared to take up the parts assigned them,
when 10, big dust; it rose some two miles
away toward the southeast.
! 1t was Captain Jackson'S troops that had
T been coming from Fort Klamath with in
structions to join us; they were escorting
| supplies. Immediately the eXpectant artil-
lery battalion was ordered to push out and
meet the coming cavalry. Miller moved at
| once and rapidly, taking the Indians by
surprise, so shat only moderate skirmishing
arose when he was crossing their Ines. 1t
required, however more than an hour to
bring in the new troops, some fifty strong,
and the provisions.
toward us, and to encounter quite storm
Of bullets fitfully striking the ground
around him. He had again pierced the In
dian line when his men faced suddenly to
his left and charged. Rodneys company
having halted a moment, let the others,
pass, then followed some distance in rear
to guard against the repeated attempts OF
the Indians to get around one flank or the
other of the moving front. There was
some obstinate resistance at Joseph's bar
ricade, some rapid firing, but no Indian
dreamt of such rolling up. After few
more wild shots and few bold but vain
efforts to gallop around Miller's command
the Indians gave way en- masse and began
to run down the ravines and the steer
slopes to the Clearwater branch, and then
to wade o. ~ I'm to the other shore.
More quickly than one can tell it oul
force had taken up the pursuit, the in
Efantry, artillery and Winters troop on FOOT
and the remaining cavalry on horseback