J
OREGON FREE PRESS.
Geo. L. Curry, Editor and Proprietor.
OREGON CITY, SATURDAY APRIL lo, 1848.
For toe States. VVe understand that several com
panies are making preparation for a return, over-land,
to the States. VVe have heard different statements as
to the number going which we conclude will he from
SO to 60. They intend starling about Ihe 1st of May, by
the Southern route.
I, silcnced--fnr they did not renew uie fight
blloui our troops beyond the Tuchie. Hen!
THE LATE ENGAGEMENT.
VVe have several items of information concerning
the battle of the I ilh and loth ull., on Jhe Tucanyon
and Tuchie, that does not appear in the official report,
as published, which we have obtained through con
versation with individuals who were engaged in the
affair.
It appears that on the morning of the 1'ilh, after the
detachment of the army (numbering loo men) had
travelled nearly all night, they came upon an encamp
ment of Indians at the mouth of the ucanyon, which,
from all that we can learn, were undoubtedly the ene
my they were in pursuit of. The Indians professed
friendship, but at the same lime were hurrying off their
cattle, burses, and womeij across Snake river, which
did nol look much like the confidence of friendship, to
say the least. Large herds of cattle, and bands of hor
ses covered lljp surrounding hills, which were ac
knowledged to belong to the Cayuses; some three or
four hundred bead of which, in obedience to orders
given, were herded by our troops, to be driven to
VVaiilatpu, or Fori Waters, as il is now called.
Some of our men were exasperated at seeing the ene
my escaping, and one of them, firing, killed an Indian,
who, with others, was cr issing the river in a cajioo.
VVe have since ascertained, beyond flispule, tbatTE
lojl'oit was in that same Canok. Indeed, il is be
lieved, thai mosl of the " murderers" were in that en
campment when il was surprisi d.
That it was the loss of lb- ir slock that brought on
the fight, il is altogether piobable. Hi-fore any hostile
demonstrations wen; made on either side, a few Indians
rode boldly up and drove oil' a band of beautiful hor
ses which some of our men yvere (jriving in to lake to
the Fort.
The detachment, with its reprisal properly, had ta
ken up iis line of march to return to Fori Waters,
when Ibe Indians commenced gathering in from the
adjacent bills, brandishing their weapons, and. scouting
the war-wboop, and shortly after, commenped firing
upon our troops. The ballle was thus commenced,
and although U)e delacbmenl continued its retrograde
movement, the troops that pom posed its rear-guard,
were almost continually engaged until evening, either
in facing about and charging upon the enemy when
Ibey made any stand, or in holding commanding points
on "the route, essential Jo the general safety. Tbc en
campment of that nigbl was surrounded by the enemy,
who kept up an occasional firing all night; during
ubich time they succeeded in getting back Ibeir stock,
nor was there much effort made to prevent them,
from what we bear ifin fact the slock was nol actual
ly given up. On the next morning, (Ibe loth,) the en
campment was hardly broken up, and the troops in
marching order, before the samp desijllory attacks of
the proceeding day were recommenced, with increasing
boldness. About 2 o'clock in the afternoon, the de
tachment reached the ford of Jbe Tuchie, when; Ihe
enemy had strongly posted themselves in the brush
and undergrowth, and resolutely and bravely pontrsl.
ed the passage of the river. After a good deal of hard
fighting, the Indians were driven from their position,
and, indeed,
nor even follow
ended a campaign, the consequence of which, we fear"
will be to embolden Ihe enemy, and perhaps tend to
bring them allies. II is said that six Indian scalps were
taken on the Tuchie, which, really, for the sake of hu
manity, vvc trust is incorrect. We are endeavoring to
punish the savage for his barbarities not to imitate
him. Capts. Thompson and Maxon, and Messrs. Riu
neahson, Purvis, and Olney, have been named to us as
having greatly distinguished themselves by brave und
serviceable acts.
Latent Intelligence. We arc Indebted to the po
liteness of Mr. McKinlay for the following items of
news, which we extract from a letter from Mr. Ogden,
dated le 13th inst., at Vancouver: '
I have only time to toll you that McArtiiur Is arrived,
All quiet at Walla Walla. Some of the Cayuses are
returning to their lands all wish for peace, 'ibe Little
Chief calls out loudly for it; staling, 'there has been
enough killed, and let us have no more fighting.' It is
said Joe Lewis and three Cay uses have gone to ihcMor
mons if so, be will never return. Ellis and all his
family are dead in all, 60 members. They died at the
Buffalo Plains. McBcan writes the navigation is free,
for boats no danger to be apprehended.
Under (atc of April 4lh, Maj. Magonb writes from
Fort Walers to Mr. Jennings, at the Dalles, as follows:
By express from Walla Walla we learn, that Ellis
is dead, and some GO of his men. This has cast a
withering bligbt'on our prospects with the Nez Perces.
They, we are informed, have bad a big feast with the
Cayuses, and Ihe supposition is, that they are disposed
lo lend their aid,
The Walla Walla chief looks upon us as his enemies
and if this should reach you before any party leaves
the Dalles, it might be well for Ihem lo come bv wav
of Umatilla, Mr. Taylor died on the 2Uh ull." Thi
wounded are generally doing well.
From a letter from Mr. Craig sub-agent for the Nez
Perces to the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, of the
same dale as the above, we obtain the subjoined:
The Indians appear unsettled the Walla Wallas
especially. The Yellow berpent says ho was lold that
his property should not be disturbed but they lake his
cattle and horses without asking for them. He says
be knows the Americans and their way of doing busi
nessbe asks the reason why bo should be deprived
of buying powder and ball: b0 is not a murderer but
if be is lo be deprived of such things he' does not know
what he may become. Ellis and GO of bis men have
died of Ihe measles, while in Ihe buffalo country. The
ballanpe.,of bis party have returned. It is not known
bqvv hay will apt. They say when they move camp
the Cayuses come and camp close to them, and they
cannol gel clear of them. Hvc Crows' is said lo be
with Joseph (chief of the Nez Perces) at Ibe point of
death. 'Tamsuckic' is in the Grand Round, on bis way
lo Fori Hall. Joe Lewis, with Toloquoit's 2 sons, have
gone lo get Ihe Mormons. The Young Chief,' Stickus
and others, are going into the mountains lo slay until
the war is over. The olber Cayuses are with the Pel
luces ami a few 'cultiis' Nez Perces, waiting for the
arrival of the Americans to fight them one time more,
and then leave for ilk!; buffalo country, and abandon
their own. Tb se reports come from V Valla' Walla.
' Wehiptuleek' has arrived there and delivered up nil
the goods, in his possession some horses, cattle, etc.
etc. sa)s he does not wish lo be an enemy lo the
while map,
Ass'l Quartermaster Goodhue writes from the Dalles
to the Commissary General, under date of theSlh inst.,
thai the appointment of Maj on Lee to the chief com
mand had given general satisfaction, lie says :
A