FEBRUARY 5-17, 1861.-Scouts from Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., and Fort Dalles, Oreg., to the Umatilla River and to Willow and Butter Creeks, Oreg., with skirmishes (8th and 10th) on the Columbia River. REPORTS. No. 1.-Maj. Enoch Steen, First U. S. Dragoons. No. 2.-Bvt. Maj. William N. Grier, First U. S. Dragoons. No. 4.-Capt. Joseph H. Whittlesey, First U. S. Dragoons. No. 1. Report of Maj. Enoch Steen, First U. S. Dragoons. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., February 18, 1861. MAJOR: I have the honor to forward, for the information of the general commanding the department, the accompanying reports. I dispatched Major Grier upon receiving the first reliable information of the depredations on Umatilla, Willow, and Butter Creeks, and soon after learning that there were more disturbances at Old Fort Walla Walla I sent a detachment, under Lieutenant Reno, in that direction. Of the five Indians of whom Major Grier was in pursuit, two were apprehended and promptly hung by Lieutenant Reno. The others are now probably with Smoke Hollow, near Priest's Rapids. It is unfortunate that the major did not persist, having them almost within his grasp. Homely, the chief at Old Fort Walla Walla, promises to give information of their return to this vicinity, and will assist with his people in capturing them. I will also keep a close watch upon the actions of disaffected Indians and take immediate steps to put down any disturbances. I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, E. STEEN, Maj. W. W. MACKALL, Major, First Dragoons, Commanding. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal. No. 2. Report of Bot. Maj. William N. Grier, First U. S. Dragoons. FORT WALLA WALLA, WASH. TER., February 14, 1861. SIR: For the information of the commanding officer I have the honor to make the following report of a march made by my company pursuant to Orders, No. 5, dated headquarters Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., February 4, 1861: Pursuant to the above named order I marched from this post on the 5th instant with forty men of my company. On the evening of the 6th was joined at my camp on the Upper Umatilla by the Indian agent (Mr. Abbott), an interpreter, and two Indian guides, who were said to know the precise position of the lodge occupied by the Indians who had been robbing in the white settlements. Next day marched to the Lower Umatilla Crossing, and, after resting and feeding my horses, left the teams in care of ten men (to follow on next day) and marched with thirty men to the banks of the Columbia near the mouth of Umatilla River. Reached that point after dark. As it was totally impracticable to get the horses across the Columbia, I left them on the bank of the river in charge of thirteen men, and by means of two very leaky skiffs managed to get seventeen men across the river by 11 o'clock at night; then proceeded on foot through the rain and darkness, over rocks and hills, desirous to reach the point supposed to be occupied by the Indians before daylight. After marching ten to twelve miles reached the place (about an hour before day) where these Indians were known to have been a day or two before. Made the necessary disposition for surrounding them at break of day. On closing in upon that point, with great disappointment discovered that the occupants had fled, on warning given them (as I afterward learned) by a Walla Walla Indian. Our guides, who were mounted, then moved up the river in search of them, and returned with information that they were in camp some six miles higher up on the Columbia. I then moved up with my weary and foot-sore detachment, the last two miles compelled to move in full view of the Indians, who took the alarm and mounted their horses to make their escape up the river. Just before coming into the range of view from the lodge I put four of my men on the ponies of our guides, and sent them on a circuitous route behind the hills, so as to get onto the river-bank above the lodge. They succeeded in doing so before my men on foot could get up, and met five Indians mounted endeavoring to escape; fired on them, killing one of their horses. The Indians then dismounted and ascended the mountain, the soldiers firing upon them, but without effect. The detachment on foot arrived too late-after the Indians had got out of reach. Captured six or seven horses and two saddles. On one of the saddles found a pair of saddle-bags containing a pocket-book and other articles said to have been stolen from a Mr. Grover, one of the settlers on Butter Creek or Willow Creek. The captured property was taken charge of by Mr. Abbott with a view to return it to the owners when called for. I then returned, and succeeded in recrossing the Columbia and joined my camp soon after dark on same day. Next day (the 9th) returned to Lower Umatilla Crossing, at the same time sent a message to the occupants of some fifteen to twenty lodges scattered along the right bank of the Columbia between the mouth of Umatilla River and Willow Creek. These Indians were directed to move at once to their reserves, and next morning proceeded to do so, a portion of them moving toward the Simcoe Reservation, where they belonged, and the others crossing to this side of the Columbia to come to the Umatilla Reservation. I then returned with my command, reaching this post to-day. Total distance traveled, about 180 miles. Report of Lieut. Marcus A. Reno, First U. S. Dragoons. FORT. WALLA WALLA, February 14, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience to instructions I left this post February 9, 1861, with Company E, First Dragoons, and proceeded to the Columbia River, encamping near the place where the Indians of whom I was in pursuit had been last seen. Immediately upon my arrival I sent out scouts to discover, if possible, any clue which would enable me to capture them. About 9 o'clock that night I received information that they were some miles below my camp on the river. I started with a small party and, proceeding rapidly, succeeded in surprising their camp. I found but two of the Indians who had been comnitting depredations in that vicinity. After a short but severe struggle、 in which but my first sergeant, Private Moran, and myself were engaged for a short time, I succeeded in securing them and bringing them to my camp. They were immediately recognized as desperate characters, having been punished in the guard-house and whipped by Colonel Wright. Early next morning and in presence of the whole tribe with whom they had been living I had them hung, telling their tribe at the same time that any future harboring of such murderers and thieves would be interpreted as hostility to the whites, and punished accordingly. I have particularly to recommend the zeal and activity of Lieutenant Kellogg, First Sergt. Daniel Coleman, and Private Moran, of Company E, First Dragoons. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Second Lieutenant, First Dragoons, Commanding Troop E. Lieut. J. WHEELER, Jr., Adjutant, Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter. No. 4. Report of Capt. Joseph H. Whittlesey, First U. S. Dragoons. FORT DALLES, OREG., February 17, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the major commanding, that in conformity with his orders and instructions of the 9th I left this post on the 10th instant with twenty-eight of my company, suitably rationed and equipped. Crossed to the north bank of the Columbia and proceeded up the river for the purpose of "finding and chastising the Indians who had recently committed depredations upon the property of settlers on the Umatilla River, Willow Creek, and Butter Creek," &c. Having learned from the whites on the route and from friendly Indians that the depredations had been committed by a party of seven Indians whose names and nationality are as followsHal-eese, Cul-pas, How-deu-doo, Lask Chluen (Umatillas), and Nuck-eapal-a-te, Wee-lo-la-cum, and Why-ame (supposed to be Walla Wallas)— and that Hal-eese and Cul-pas were on the same side of the river on which I was moving, and that the first was among the Indians at the mouth of Nowaway Creek, near the foot of Long Island, I made a night march with twenty men to surround and surprise the village and capture him at daylight on the morning of the 14th instant. On my arri. val, however, I found that the villagers had fled the night before, abandoning their houses and property. Notwithstanding this I soon placed myself in communication with them by means of friendly Indians who accompanied me, and demanded the surrender of any of the offenders who might be with them. Alarmed as they were by the proximity of a detachment of dragoons a little above, on the other side of the Columbia from Fort Walla Walla, and the presence of those of my party, they readily agreed to this and soon delivered to me Hal-eese. The next morning they informed me where Cul-pas could be found, and sent three men to accompany my guide, Cris Gilson, and two Rock River Indians, in making the capture, which was accomplished by the party at a point near the junction of the Naches and Yakima Rivers, with the aid of the Yakimas. The prisoner was brought in to me two days afterward. We also received reliable information of the capture of three others of the band by troops from Walla Walla in the Umatilla country, and that the remaining two had probably taken refuge among the Nez Percés. Nothing more being left for me to do, I sent information of what I had learned and accomplished to the commanding officer of Fort Walla Walla and to the agent of the Umatillas, and returned with my two prisoners to this post, where I arrived this morning. I am happy to state that it is my conviction, based upon the opinion of Judge Humason and Mr. Fairchild, of this place, who accompanied me as volunteers, and of Mr. Sykes and Mr. Gilson, my guides and interpreters, that all the Indians in this region are well affected toward the whites, and that not the slightest danger of an outbreak this summer exists. The prompt show of force from this post and from Fort Walla Walla, so happily and spontaneously combined, though in the present disposition of the Indians not requisite for the preservation of general friendly relations, will have an excellent effect in proving our ability and promptness to punish the evil-disposed. Two horses, two rifles, a saddle, &c., of the stolen property are in my hands. My prisoners say that of the fourteen horses they stole ten broke away from them and escaped, and that they had no aid or connivance of others except of the seven above named. I received valuable counsel and assistance from the citizens who accompanied me, and the exploit of Cris Gilson, who with five friendly Indians captured Cul-pas and after a ride of nearly 200 miles without rest brought him in security to me, is worthy of high commendation. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. H. WHITTLESEY, Captain, First Dragoons, Commanding Company H. Lieut. H. C. HODGES, [Indorsement.] FORT DALLES, OREG., February 17, 1861. Respectfully forwarded. Section 26 of an act approved June 30, 1834, requires the offenders to be "transported to the Territory or judicial district having jurisdiction." But not knowing where to send the prisoners I ask for instructions from the district commander. The witnesses are: Capt. Joseph H. Whittlesey, First Dragoons; Mr. Sykes, Mr. Christopher Gilson, and Judge O. Humason, of Dalles City, Oreg. W. SCOTT KETCHUM, Major Fourth Infantry, Commanding Post. MARCH 18, 1861.-Affair on the Columbia River near the Kootenay River, Wash. Ter. Reports of But. Maj. Pinkney Lugenbeel, Ninth U. S. Infantry. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Colville, Wash. Ter., March 31, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report for your information that a drunken row occurred on the 18th instant between some miners, eleven in num ber, and some Lake Indians, nine in number, on the Columbia River, immediately above the forty-ninth parallel, which resulted in the death of two miners, two severely and two slightly wounded. Four Indians were killed and one wounded. The remaining whites and Indians both retreated, the Indians to the mouth of the Kootenay, and the miners to the opposite side of the river from the fight, both parties being very much frightened. I immediately sent Captain Archer with a detachment of sixty men from his company (I, Ninth Infantry) to the scene of action for the purpose of quieting the miners and Indians, and ascertaining the facts in the case. The detachment has not yet returned, but Bvt. Second Lieut. S. S. Marsh, Ninth Infantry, who accompanied Captain Archer, returned this morning and reports everything quiet. I anticipate no difficulty in settling this affair, but I regret to say that similar occurrences may take place at any time, so long as liquor is introduced into the Indian country, and Indian testimony will not be taken to convict whisky dealers of selling liquor to Indians. From all I can learn, the whites brought on the fight by crossing over the Columbia River for the purpose, as they expressed it, of "rushing the Indian village." I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, PINKNEY LUGENBEEL, Brevet Major, Captain, Ninth Infantry, Commanding. Capt. JAMES A. HARDIE, U. S. Army, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Oregon District, HEADQUARTERS, Fort Colville, Wash. Ter., April 14, 1861. SIR: Captain Archer returned with his command on the 6th instant from the mouth of the Pend d'Oreille River. He reports that peace bas been restored between the Indians and miners. I do not think hostilities will be resumed unless the Indians of the tribe who are now hunting on the Upper Columbia should succeed in getting liquor from the miners and settlers when they return. Lieutenant Marsh, Ninth Infantry, in command of a detachment of twenty-one men, leaves to-morrow for Lake Osoyoos to act as an escort to the Northwest Boundary Survey. This detachment will be in the field until the end of July. When the supply trains commence running I will send another detachment to the crossing of the Spokane River. The Indians appear quiet, but liquor is abundant, and numbers of bad white men infest this whole country. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, PINKNEY LUGENBEEL, Brevet Major, Captain, Ninth Infantry, Commanding. Capt. J. A. HARDIE, Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter. APRIL 14-15, 1861.-Skirmishes on Van Dusen's Creek, near Mad River, Cal. Report of Lieut. Joseph B. Collins, Fourth U. S. Infantry. CAMP AT NEIL'S RANCH, Van Dusen's Creek, April 15, 1861. CAPTAIN: Private Casey, of your company, was badly wounded this morning in an engagement with the Indians near Mad River, about 2 B B-VOL L, PT I |