The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-25
THE VAR OF 1878.
HotU the BGunocks ere Subdued II,
Former Outbreak.

HotC the BGnnocks ~ ere Subdued n, a
Former Outbreak.
History repeats itself" in the uprising
of the Bannocks. This is shown by the
general orders and circular issued by the
Department of the Columbia from Fort
Vancouver October 4, 1873, in which is
found the following:
The Bannock Indians, leaving their reserve.-
ton at Fort Hall, swept rapidly across the
southern part of Idaho, robbing and murder
ing as they went, gathering at the same time a
constantly increasing force until they num-
bered at Stems Mountain band of 900 or 700
warriors-Bannocks, Piutes, Klamaths and Co.
iumbia River renegades, with their women
and children, body of people not far from
1000 souls.
Rapid as had been their movement, not less
speedy was the pursuit. Within few hours
after the news of the revolt was received at
Fort Boise the garrison of that post was in the
field and by forced marches of extraordinary
length overlook the hostiles near Stems Noun
tain, and despite the disparity OF numbers mot
less than seven to one) unhesitatingly charged
and drove the Indians from their camp. kill
ing and wounding many and destroying a con-
siderable amount of their property. Captain
Reuben F. Bernard of the First Cavalry and
the officers and men of that regiment with him
in the engagement are deserving of high com
mendation for the gallant and dashinp man.
ner IN which they inaugurated the campaien
By this time the infantry, which had been
brought forward in wagons to aid in accom-
plishing the long marches daily made ioined
in the pursuit from Camp Curry, from which
place the Indians turned northward. Tho
troops followed their obscure and dificn1t
trail through the Businesses of the Blue Moun-
tains. The embarrassments of such march
can only be appreciated by those who have ex-
perienced them.
On July a concentration of troons from
'front.' rear and flank was effected in the vicin.
ity of Pilot Rock, near which place the com
bined cavalry under the command of Cantain
ernard struck the enemy, well posted in
q chosen position in the mountains defeated
him, drove him from his camp, and filed the
forests of the Blue Mountains with fugitives
The hostiles soon made another attempt to
carry out their original plan of crossing the
Columbia River, which was defeated by tho
gunboats under the prompt and vigorous com
mand of Captain John H. Kress OF the ord
nance corps and Lieutenant Melville c. Will
kin, aid-de-camp.
Turning now toward the UmatilIa reserva
ton, they are met by the artillery, infantry
and one company of cavalry, under command
OF Captain Evan Niles, and again defeated and
scattered All the approaches to the Columbia
and Snake rivers are closed. Turn where they
may. they find force confronting them Dis
nearlened ana demoraIlzed they turn upon
their trail and ny, at first faster than the troops
can pursue them. Lieutenant-Colonel FORSYTH
of the First Cavalry in this pursuit strikes them
once in an ambuscade. severe skirmish en-
sues, when they again run.
Intent now only on escape, they scatter in
small parties and hide in the mountains and
forests, whence they are hunted up and made
to surrender A few, stealing horses as thew
ran, are driven by the cavalry beyond the lin,
its of the department.
The campaign has been brought to salts
factory close. Within ninety days a formida-
in every encounter defeated, and finally can
tured or dispersed, and with the exception of a
handful, forced to surrender, until scarce a
hostile Indian is unaccounted for Success has
characterized every movement, and it is an
added source OF qualification that all has been
accomplished with SO small loss of life on the
part of the troops.