Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-08-07


al Gorge on the Arkansas river. Coo,
rado.
In April or May 1856, 1000 mount.
ed men moved down from Grave
Creek House to the Upper Meadows
and went into camp where five
months before, $50 Indians under
George, Limpy and John do.eatcd and
I put to inelorious flight, 1900. approx
imately volunteers nnder command OF
Brigadier General J. X. Lamerick.
Our scouts had no trouble in locat-
ing the Indians, for they were no; in
hiding. Their village was or Is
miles down the river and below the
gorge OF which | have spoken.
The 2nd day after going into camp
at the Meadows the Regiment moved
by companies to the battlefield. In
anticipation OF an attack from the
volunteers, John disposed OF his peo-
pie after this manner First he sent
his old men and his women and chill
dren back iuto the brush and thick
timber that bordered his village ON
/ the south. Next he stationed his
braves up and down the river for two
miles with orders to get as close to
the water as they could find places Of
concealment. Then he climbed a
high rock point, , or hundred yards
IN the rear OF his camp, from which
ne had commanding view OF both
sides of the river for . miles awaited
coming events.
The river was swollen to madness
by melting SHOWS above. He had no
Tears OF our crossing the river on log
raft as we bad tried to the fall before.
He hoped, however, we would try
again. BY 10 a. m. the battle COM
menced. By p, m. 1000 old fashion
ed muzzle loading rifles, shotguns and
muskets were engaged in hurting salt
and ball Mt an unseen foe. On the
other side of the river $50 firearms.
such as the Indians had, were barking
murderous defiance. Above the inces-
SAINT roar OF battle Chief Johns voice
was plainly heard c'lrsing his enemies
and encouraging and directing his
braves.
Capt Buoy's company w.s lowest
down the river. l was close to Bill
Wilkins. A hard shower OF rain
came on. Bills tree did not shelter
him from the rain. Twenty yards
/ up the river was fir tree with shelf
ering boughs. Bill started, leisurely.
for the tree. Half way there a bullet
cut through the grass just in front OF
Bills knees. He stopped short and
looking in the direction from which
the bullet came, gave the Sorehead,
as he called him, yard or so of his
worst vocabulary. Here he walked on
to the sheltering boughs OF the fir tree.
The Indian and Bill now got into a
jangle OF words, while they continued
to reload and crack away at each
other.
Finally Bill said to the siwash. see
here, Mr.. Injun, if you wIll stand ont
from behind youl tree and let me
have shot at you, then 1 will stand
out and let you shoot at me If | don't
kill you. Close (all right said Bill.
Now load your old gun and get ready.
Are you ready, Mr.. Sorohead?
Nowwitky, (yes) replied the Indian.
After leaving the Indian sometime
by making false movements he sprang
from hiding and stopped short. The
Indian supposing Bill would jump out
from his tree and back instantly, fired
so as to catch him on the return.
This is just what Bill Thought lie
would do.
There. shouted Bill, still standing
uncovered. Didn't / tell you you
couldn't shoot worth shucks? Now
stand out from behind your tree, you
mule eater and I'll make stink bic
Of you. Nika, waka, qussh, mike I'm
not afraid Of yon) came back the reply.
After some pa-leying the Indian
told Bill no was ready, He sprang
ont and back 50 quickly that Bill
could not sight him. Why don't you
shoot? said the Indian. Why don't
you stand ike ! did? replied Bill.
Just here there was the sharp report
I OF a Yauger close to Bill. Bill always
declared afterward that Steve Long.
fellow killed his Injun and | think
Bill was right. Respectfully,
j. J. Bleyans.