The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-11

teers about the same time set out from
Mount Idaho to go 10 NortOns, when they
also were cut off by swarm of savage war
riors and several of them were slain. Gen
eral Howard about this time lost his new
raft in the wild torrent and could not effect
crossing just then. Through an Indian
messenger, James Rueben, who swan his
horse across the fierce river, he heard of the
state of matters at NortonS and vicinity, and
as the best thing to do turned back on his
trail, and by the help of a few skitfs re-
crossed the Salmon anu Whitebird The
pack horses and mules, held by their halters,
would follow skitf four or five at time
but would take the water in no other way
Forced marches were now made by the
troops to intercept the Indians. A small
number of volunteers which the General
had sent back before him across the Salmon
by the Rocky Canyon now pushed on boldly
after the indians, who appeared to be NOV
ing toward kamiah. The savages soon
sto ped to gather food and new recruits
from tile Lapwai Reservation, for their re-
puted success was fast bringing to them the
hesitating. They pitched their lodges in the
valleys along the Clearwater, near the
mouth of Cottonwood Creek. The volun-
teers, 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
forty of them on foot, but did not undertake.
to further modest them. General Howard
had already sent word by daring officer to
these volunteers to stay there quietly while
he was working his troops around the
Indian camp by the way of Jackson's
bridge, with view to get beyond the entire
hostile force and if possible compel Joseph
to accept battle. The 10th of July was
busy day. Country wagons were used to
carry a third of the infantry at time while
the rest were marching. That day by this
help they made thirty-eight miles, the
longest one days march of the campaign.
the Clearwater and encamped between that
and the main river at Wallis farm. This
place was at least dozen miles beyond the
Indian lodges, on the northeastern edge of
the wild. rough plateau before named,
where the battle was destined to be fought.
John Whitebird, Hool-hool-sute, Olieut.
Jcseph's tail brother, and Looking-glass,
who had just joined, after being for some
time neutral. agreed in council that they
were 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 the Cot
tonwood, the Clearwater branch and the
neighboring canyon, and be ready to run up
the valley Of the branch toward the east
and make an attack at the word. Each
chieftain had his men told off. The women,
like regular quartermaSters, cared for The
baggage and the herd of spare horses, and
were always TO keep well back from the
thick OF the contest and stay where the
lodges were pitched. Joseph just before
the battle was confident of victory.
Now turn to the little column of white
men, few troops of horse, few companies
afoot, three howitzers and Gatlinggun, all