Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-04-02
PIONEER SKETCHES.
The Battle Of White Bird and the heroism
Of some Of the Participants.

Of some Of the Participants.
The yisit of Chief Joseph To the land
Of his kins people brings to the Old
eettlers memories Of murderOus deeds
Of Indian war fare. Twenty years ny"
next June the alarm came to Lewiston
that the Indians had killed dozen
men and tortured the women and
children on Salmon river. Then there
was post ofregular soldiers at Lapwai
and two companies under Col. Perry
received o.ders to repair Immediately to
the scene of the massacre. He started
IN the morning and rode all day arriv-
ing at Mount Idaho after dark. He
was met by delegation OF citizens OF
Camas Praire who iInpOrtuned him to
hasten to Slate Creek and rescue the
women and children about forty III
number who were beseiged in u fail
by the blood.thirsty Indians.
Col. Perry ordered halt only long
enough to feed his stock and eat supper.
The tired soldier boys were eager for
the fray. They mounted the horses
which had not been unsaddled after
ride Of 80 miles. All night they moved
nin,lessly forward til just as the sun
lighted the peaks about White Bird
they looked down into the frOwning
canyon. The Indians were detected
by the keen eyed scouts ~ they has
tened hither aud thither In prepare.
ton for All engagement. Col. Perry
led his men and went heedlessly down
y narrow divide with frOwning brush
lined draws on each side. Maj .Shearer,
ut the head Of 10 volunteers hesitated
when he observed the Indians and
their maneuvers. He withdrew his
men to one side and began the descent
into the White Bird by another route.
He pointed out to his men the danger
Of the position chosen by Col. Perry
and prepared to flank the Indians on
one side n they attacked Perry from
the vantage ground that offered 30
near ut hand. It turned out that Per-
ry had fallen into trap. The narrow
pasAsge through which the two COM
panies Of soldiers, l25 men were to pass
fairly brlstled with deadly rifles In the
hands OF murderous Indians, who
awaited the opportunity to NOW down
the defenceIess men. When the help
less white men had approached within
= few yards aud were almost sur.
rounded, the Indians opened deadly
fire. The war whoOp and the sudden
bunt Of gun shots frightened the horses
The frightened beasts were uncontroll-
able. Many Of the riders were thrown
by the turning Of loose saddles and
others were shot from their horses.
A retreat followed. led by Col. Perry.
The commanding officer was ~ frantic
that he never gave an order but fled IN
disorder. Col. Trimble tried to rally
his men but they followed the lead
Of Perry Col Trlnlble pleaded, cursed
and threaten ned but the men toiled on
up that hill amid leaden hail. Col.
Perry urged one horse forward I'll he
winded HIM and then ordered a soldier
TO cats.h him another and better horse,
from which soldier had been shot.
Got. Trimble w: before his men several
timcs and ordered them to stand aud
iire; and then he pulled his revolver
and swOre he would shoot down any
soldier who crossed certain line. Still
they ran up that hill following the SUI
perior officer, Col. Perry.
Before they reached the divide some
Of the brave boys among the many
cowsrlly onea did rally aroucd Trim.
Lle. They covered the retreat Of the
mAim furx aud held the Indians IN
check but the red men were trenxled
with tue flush Of victory aud the scene
Of slaughter They had passed over
more than 80 men on the field and muir
dere1 those not already dead. As they
approached the divide Mai. Shearer
met the command. He called for vol
unteers from the regulars to support
his boys, and he found true heroes IL
the blue uniforms. MAI. Shssrer's msen
aud the soldiers who rallied with Trim
Dle fOrme y line vt the ton VI the hill
aud GOV. red the retreat Of Perry aud
his men. This act saved the COM
Mand from humiliation. The Indians
would have run them down " they
had not rallied. They had picked of
thirty 81 the soldiers without any loss
to themselves.
Under the leadership Of Trimble aud
Shearer soldiers ana volunteers dis.
played noble courage. One soldier
was 80 full VI fight that he could not
run. He kept up the rear shooting rs
often as an Indian showed his head,