East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1918-09-19
Allen Drumheller, Famous Relay Rider.

away while riding near me. So Tar
as 1 know, that was the first wound
received by a volunteer in the battle.
Afterward several were wounded and
five were killed.
Before reuniting to make this
stand at the ford, five warriors had
been killed in an encounter with cap
tain MilIers company, and at the
ford a large number were killed and
wounded.
THE fight at the ford was brief,
fierce and effective and after submit
ting to our fire for few minutes.
the Indians fled in every direction,
some going towards Powder River
some toward what Is now Cove and
some to the hills in the direction of
the present site of Union. The re<
mander of the battle was running
charge with occasional fusillades from
warriors and volunteers, until
o'clock in the afternoon. with horses
completely exhausted we gave up the
chase when there was not an Indian
to be seen in the entire Grand Ronds
Valley"
During the fight, which lasted
from 8 o'clock in the morning until
3 in the afternoon. five volunteers
were killed and buried by their com,
rades where they fell in different
parts Of the battlefield, which nov
forms the rich farming section of the
Grand Ronde river
Colonel Shaw reported 80 Indians
killed. and he says he is certain that
10 mortally wounded were carried
away by their comrades, making the
loss about 40 warriors out Of 300 en-
gagged. over 200 horses were cap
tured. about half of this number be-
ing unfit for use, were shot by the
volunteers. Immense stores of pro-
visions, including camas roots, ven>
ison, salmon and berries, wore cap
tured aud destroyed, and on the
knoll where the village was first
sighted in the morning. 100 tepees /
We're piled and burned. one hundred |
pounds of powder was also captured /
When night fell upon that mem
orable day, not a vestige remained OF /
what had promised to be the greatest /
confederation of tribes ever effected |
in the west. When the volunteers 4
rode upon the high knoll before sum
set TO look for signs OF returning IN
dams, not solitary horseman could /
be discovered in all the wide stretch
Df valley and so the day was won for
and from that hour 1t be-
rame safer to live and work and
raveI in the great inland Empire.
Incidents of the Battle.
Colonel shaw tells several interest
ng incidents Of the battle of the
Grand Ronde. He says that after his
5arty had chased the main body OF
warriors into the foothills in what is
low the cove. on Mill Greek. ono
lrave mounted on a magnificent
lorse rode out to taunt his soldiers
md dared them to fight" The
iorses Of the volunteers were COM
'leteIy exhausted aud further pursuit
VAS impossible. and the action Of tins
Warrior was especially calling upon
he weary men Of his command.
Twice this Indian rode out in a
vide circle within rifle range Of the
oluuteers. but All the shots missed
i'm and nc yelled in defiance. Col
mel Shaw asked 10 be allowed to
hoot at him, alone. on the third cir
le made by the warrior. and twit-
Ing his men for their pogr marks
ianship. he rested his rifle over his
tddIehorse aud took aim. Closer
nd closer the warrior rode. speeding :
is horse to his utmost but as he
lade the turn and came In line with
le rifle Of colonel shaw. who fired. 8
nd the Indian threw up hts hands
nd tumbled TO the ground. dead. a
lurt Of blood from his oath wound
Il a.
IN back to the secreted Indians. who
1w scampered up the steep noun
Cconiinued on Page So