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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1885)
68 THE WEST SHORE. " Father Ravalli labored as much as he could to pacify tho tribes which reside toward the wont namely, the Cayuscs, tho Yakimaa, the Opelouscs Palouses, etc. As our neophytes Flatheods and Coour d'Alenes hitherto havo taken no part in tho war, tho country is as safe for us aa ever. We can go freely wherever wo desire. No one is ignorant that tho Blackgowns Catholic priests aro not enemies thoae, at least, who are among the Indiana. Alrnoat all tho Geur d'Alnnna, in order to shield thomaolvoa from the hostilities of the Indiana, and to avoid all relations with them, are gone biaon hunting. A few daya ainoo Father Joaet WToto mo that Father Ilavalli kad already written him several weeks before: 'I fear a general rising among tho Indians toward the com mencement of spring. Let us pray, and let us engage others to pray with us, to avert this calamity. I think that it will 1)0 well to add to tho ordinary prayers of tho mass, tho collect for peace.'" Tho outbreak did not occur aa predicted, owing, jniaaibly, to tho efficacy of the worthy miHHionaries prayera, but apparently duo to an alienee of a sufficient provocation which might servo aa a pretext for war. That not much of a provocation was required waa mode evident the following year. In tho spring of 18T8 Palouao Indians stole some stock from tho troops at Walla Walla, and on the 8th of May Colonel Kteptoo marched north with a force of 150 men, iutunding to viait Fort Colvillo, and on his roturn to capturo tho thieving Indiana. This exjioditiou met with signal disaster, through most unmilitary careless ness. One hundred mules were detailed for tho pack train, and when tlieao were loaded it was found there was no room for tho surplus ammunition which had been sot out This was taken back to tho magazine, and tho com mand niurchml with only the ammunition carried in the cartridge boxes of the men. Such carelessness invited the disaster which followed. Ktoptoo crossed Bunko River near tho mouth of the Aljxiwa, whero ho waa joined by a friendly Nea Perce chief, named "Timothy," and three of his warriors. Continuing north, he approached the group of four hikes lying north ol Pine Creek, the Indians gradually collect ing in great uuuiliers. Hero ho was informed by them that ho must leave this region and return to Walla Walla, or they would attack him. His lack of sufficient auimu nilion, and the coinarative weakness of his force, com elled Steptoa to do as they commanded. Camping at the lakes for the night, tho command began its retrograde march at threo o'clock on the morning of tho 17th of April, Uio Indians continually hovering on iU flunks. While in this relative position Steptoa hold a conference wiUiSalUxt, Gourd' Alone chief, Father Joseph acting as interpreter, and waa assured that no attack would be made upon him. Tha chu t then shouted something to his followers, when one of tho friendly Nea Forces, namod "Levi" struck him on tho head with a whip, saying, " What for you say 'no fight" and then tell your people ' wail a while? You talk two tongues." About nine o'clock in tho morning, aa tho command approached Tina Creek, near tha preacnt town of Rosalia, pausing down a natural waterway, then dry, it was fired upon by Indians secreted in the timber across the stream and occupying elevated positions on the flank. Lieuten ant Gaslou promptly charged, and cleared an opening to tho highlands south of Fine Creek, being followed by the ontire force. The howiteer was unlimbered and dis charged, killing no one, but serving by its noise to some what intimidate the assailants. By charging them the enemy were cleared away, and the retreat was resumed with the pack train in the rear, the flanks and rear being covered Lieutenant James Wheeler was on the right, Lieutenant William Gaston on the left, and Captain 0. IL P. Taylor guarded the rear, each with a company. Charge after charge of tho enemy was repulsed, men falling continually, and being loft to the tender mercy of the savages in many cases where it was impossible to carry thorn away. At lost many of Lieutenant Gaston's mon usod their last round of ammunition, and he sent an orderly to Colonel Steptoe, who was with the train in the van, asking that the command be halted until more could . lie issued; but there was no more, and the request to halt was not granted. Captain Taylor's company next fired its last shot, and this fact, as well as the fall of Gaston, was communicated to the superior officer. He then ordered a halt The contest in the rear was now a desperate hand-to-hand struggle. Both Gaston and Tay lor lay on tho ground, thoir men fighting stubbornly for possession of thoir bodies. Among them was a private named Do May, who hod boen an officer in the French army in Algiers and the Crimea, and was an exoellont swordsman. Clubbing his muskot he made a furious on slaught upon the assailing savages, and as he was borne down by numbers he cried, " Mon Dieu, mon Dieu, mine sabre!" At last the Indians were driven back and the body of Captain Taylor was rescued. So demoralized had bocome the main body of the troops, that the call of Lieutenant Gregg for volunteers to go to the assistance of the hard-pressed rear guard was answered by only ten men. He then led a chargo, but soon found himsolf alono, and returned without uttering a word. To save tho rotrout from becoming a complete rout, which would have resulted in an utter annihilation of the force, Colonel Stoptoe went into enmp and threw out a strong line of picket Tho Indians camped near by, apparently willing to bide thoir timo, feeling certain of their victims. Every avenue of escajw waa guarded but one, and that was a difficult pass, which they supposed the soldiers could not tamea. The Km Torce chief was then their savior. When the night waa well advanced, having cachfid the howiUer. and left their surplus stores to engage the aU.ntmn of the savages, so aa to delay pursuit in the morning the troops mounted and followed Timothy in single file, a. he led them through the unguarded pass. Tho wounded of each company were placed in charge of gome of thoir comrade a few of them being ao badly hurt as to be utterly helpless. These wore Ued 21 msx? Vf 8ergeant wmian 5 T.UMcCnsan. suffered such excruciating agony from the tooUon of the animal, that they begged JbeS