Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1918-06-28

May, 1858, from Walla Walla, to go
with 200 cavalry to the Spokane
country, though those powerful and
Independent Indians had warned
troops to keep out, alleging that they
were neutral and would not allow
either whites or Yakimas in their
country.
The expedition was made in May.
The wild torrent of the Snake river
was running bank-full from the
floods of summer as the command
crossed. Timothy, a chief of the Nez
Perces, with a few followers, was
living then at the mouth of the AL
powa, and by his efficient aid the
soldiers crossed the wicked-looking
stream in good order and good time,
ard continued on their way, the
brave old chief accompanying them.
AS the soldiers were descending a
canyon to Pine creek, not far from
where Rosalia is now located. Sal
teese, sub-chief of the Occur
d'Alenes, came up with an interpret
er for a conference with Steptoe. The
chief was making great professions
of friendship, when one of the friend
ly Nez Perces struck him over the
head with whip, nearly knocking
him from his horse. What do you
mean by speaking with forked
tongue to the white chief" demand
ed the Ne2 Perez brave Salteese,
very angry, rode away in a defiant
mood. No sooner were the retreat
ing forces in the canyon than the at
tack was made Second Lieutenant
William Gaston's forces were the
first to draw the fire of the enemy
Steptoe ordered Castor to hold fire.
When again asked for orders he gave
the same command, but CASTOR dis
obeyed and soon the fire became gen.
eral. CASTOR and Captain O. II. p.
Taylor were in command of the rear
guard, and, with amazing courage
and devotion, kept tho line intact,
foiling all efforts of the enemy to
rush through. They sent word to
Steptoe to halt the line and give them
deemed it safer to make no pause,
and soon after those gallant heroes
fell.
At nightfall they had reached a
point said to be somewhere on the
flanks of Steptoe butte, though there
is difference of opinion as to the
exact location.
There was but one chance of sal
walton, and this was by means of a
difficult trail which the Indians had
left unguarded, as the Nez Perez
chief, Timothy, discovered by recon-
noitering, the savages rightly suppos-
ing it to be entirely unknown to the
whites, But by the good favor of
fortune or Providence Timothy
knew this pass, But for him, the
next day would doubtless have wit
messed a grim and CHASTITY massacre.
During the dark and cloudy night
the soldiers mounted and in silence
followed Timothy over the wretched
trail. Michael Kinney, a Well-knoWn
resident of Walla Walla, was in
charge OF the rear guard, and is our
chief authority for some portions of
this narrative.
The horrors of that night retreat
were probably never surpassed in the
history of Indian warfare in the
Northwest. Several of the wounded
were dashed to pack animals, and
were thus led away on that dreadful
ride
During the night the troops gen
orally at a gallop, followed the faith
full Timothy, on whose keen eyes and
mind their lives depended. The
wounded and some whose horses gave
out were scattered at intervals alone
the trail. Some of these finally re-
appeared, but most were lost After
"a hours they found they had ridden
90 miles or more, for the yellow
flood Of the Snake river suddenly
broke before them between its desc
late banks. Here the unwearied
Timothy threw out his own people
as guards against the pursuing enemy
and set the women of his tribe to
ierrying the force across the turbu.
lent river. This was safely accom-.
plished, and thus the greater portion
Oh the command reached Walla
Waiia from that Inflated expedition
In safety.-Lever.