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About Oregon free press. (Oregon City [Or.]) 1848-1848 | View Entire Issue (May 27, 1848)
LATEST FROM THE ARMY. ? ' Ft. Waters, May 14, 1848. Yesterday afternoon the detachment reached this place, after a fatiguing march of eleven days, and are encamped in and around, the fort. We found much difficulty in crossing the streams on our route, having to ferry the baggage and ourselves in small canoes, and swim our horses and oxen. After crossing DeSliutcs, a detachment of 40 men, with three days' rations, were sent to scour the coun try up John Days' river, and bring in cattle if any could be found. They were out five days, finding nothing but a few Indians, and consequently two days without provisions suffering every thing, during that time, that hunger could inflict. At our first camp on this side of John Days' liver, we were met by three? of the principal men of tho Nez Perce nation. Their object was to ofTer the servi ces of a number of their men to assist us in the ivar, and have the Americans appoint them a Chief in the place of Ellis, who, they informed us, requested them, when dying, to remain at peace with the uhites. YVc received them in a friendly manner, and next morning, Col. Lee left the detachment and came on to me lorl with them, where they are yet detained, in council with the officers. There are also two Cayuse chiefs, viz: Tawatoe and Sticcas, and one Spokan and one Peluche chief, all wishing peace. The fact is, all the Indians in the upper country are much alarmed at the presence of so large a forcoas we nou; have in the field. Teloquoit,and the murderers, arc scattered along the Columbia, between here and Fort Colville, and we yet Lave hopes of getting their slock and part of them, at least. It is said that Tamsuckie is close by the Fort, hid, and that the Nez Perces know his whereabouts. Five Crows tias find his arm amputated by the Indians, and has returned to bis place on the Umatilla, to die. This morning C'jl. Lee, for some reason inexplicable to be, declined, in presence of the whole army, to lake the chief command; and consequently, Waters is our Colonel. Lee was then elected Lieutenant Colonel. I need not describe to you the appearance of the Fort, or its comforts to a fatigued soldier but one of our boys remarked this morning that he would prefer pur gatory to thai place, as much as ne would a decent coffee house, to it. Fleas and dust, exposed to the scorching rays of the sun, and a continual noise and uproar, may give yon some idea of its beauties. It is not a very desirable thing to have a situation as a sol dier in the service of 0. T., which abbreviation our men interpret 'Old Tom and curse the territory round ly by that name. An amusing little incident occurred on the road which I had almost forgotten to mention. The day we readied the branch of the Umatilla, our company had been Guarding the wag ns and did not reach camp until about ft o'clock at night. In one of the wagons was a small box filled with butter and cheese, intend ed for the use of the chief Officer and his Staff. It be came evident, from the sly grimaces and exceeding good humor of the men, next morning, thal.somelbing had transpired that pleased them but the cause was not discovered until the gentlemen sent their servant for a plate of butler, when lo! the bird had flown. It was passed over good naluredly,and we gave lo the little rivulet the name of Butter Creek. We shall move from here in three days at furlbcr est, and, 1 suppose, with about 350 or 400 men. There arc now at this place, as near as can he ascertained, 471 men. The rugged country over which we have to pass, precludes the possibility of taking either of the cannon with us; but they will be needed atlhe Fort. Our route, I understand, is in the direction of Spauld ing's Mission. Walker and Eels wrili that Teloquoit is treating with the Ponderays, and they believe we uill have that nation to fight. Let 'em come. The man referred lo in my last letter as having been killed by a fall from a horse, was named Borden, from Yamhill county. A young man by the name of Ford died the day he fore we reached the Fort. The men now are generally healthy. The days here arc excessively hot, vnd the nights very cold. JUAN. Ft. VVatUrs, May 14, '48. Dear Sir Tho recruits, under command of Col. Lee, left Ft. VVascqpam on the 3d of May for this post were detained one day at DcShutcs river, in consequence of high wind, but on the next day all crossed over, and on the following day arrived at'john Day's river, which we found quite full, but were not detained long as In dians were ready with their canoes lo assiit in crossing, and on the 13th inst., we reached this place, finding every thing moving on in something like military or der. Col. Lee, on his arrival at this place, and after con versing with Lieut. Col. Waters, became satisfied that lie was willing, at least, if not desirous of taking command of the Regiment. Col. Lee immediately gave up the command to him. Objections were made to this, as many had come with the cxpeclalion that he (Lee) would be their commander. He told us that before he accepted the appointment of Colonel, if Lt. Col. Waters wished the command, he would resign that he only did himself, as well as Col. Wafers, jus tice, in thus acting. Major Magoone, according to the custom of promotion in the regular service, became entitled to the office of Lieut. Colonel, which he refused to accept, provided tho services of Col. Lee could not be had in that capacity. The Major then called for an expression of the Regiment, and desired that all who were in favor orLee would pass over the ditch, which was near, when a "perfect rush" was made, with yells, and throwing of hats into the air, until not a man scarcely remained. Col. Waters is an unassuming man will not act hastily is ever ready to consult upon all important matters and, on the whole, I think will give general satisfaction. A number of the Nez Perces are here, and wish to have another chief appointed in the place of Ellis. Some of their young men wish lo join the army. Several of the Spokans also, are here, who ofTer as sistance. They say the murderers arc in the Pelouche country that they know where they are at this lime. You will, no doubt, have communications from many friends, and consequently get all the news. B. F. Burch will probably be Adjutant under the new arrangement. The appointment has been offered loghim, and he is now acting in that capacity. Yours, Respectfully, J. S. R. G. L. Curry, Esq. FOn THE Fit EE PRESS. Mr. Editor Permit 'me, sir, through the medium of your paper, to offer a sentiment to the citizen? of Or egon. There has been a great deal said upon the sub ject of i'Roiiiiiition of the manufacture and vending of ardent spirits; but not one word as to the mode of carrying it into effect. Now, sir, I am well assured, that if there was some plan proposed, by which the conscientious scruples of manv of our good citizens could be removed, as regards the power of the people, under our Federal Constitution, to legislate against the manufacture, vending, etc., of ardent spirits, that there would be an overwhelming majority of votes cast at the ensuing election in favor of prohibition. Now, sir, the plan which I wish to suggest is (his, (let the re sult of the popular vole be as it will,) that the people instruct the Legislature to enact a law compelling every person, who may wish lo manufacture, or vend, ardent spirits in any way whatever, (except for sac ramental, medical, or mechanical purposes,) to pay into the territorial treasury a sum not less than two thousand dollars, annually, and to affix just such pen alties for every violation, as an absolute prohibitory law would require. The above plan would certainly not infringe upon the natural or constitutional rights of any man, but in my humble opinion, would be much more ant to effect the much desired object. Moro upon this subject, anon. II.
