learned that a certain Indian, now known among the whites as the Dreamer, but formerly known as the Big Talk on Four Mountains, had staked off a region of country of many miles in extent situated in the northern portion of Grande Ronde Prairie, claiming the same as his, and denying that the treaty between the whites and Indians affected his rights to the same in the least. I further found that this same Indian and his band had, by threatening to kill all the whites who had or would settle within the lines he had set up, caused quite a number of settlers to abandon the claims-all I believe within the boundaries claimed by the Dreamer. The settlers narrated several instances wherein the Dreamer, Wainicut-hi-hi, and a tall young Indian rode up to settlers and gave them until the following day to leave in, or they would kill them. Becoming well satisfied that the Dreamer and two or three of his accomplices were the chief instruments of all the disturbance in that locality, and learning that his lodge was not more than six hours' ride from me, I resolved to make a night march upon him. Moving from the settlement about eight miles I camped as for the night, but at moonrise I mounted my men and rode on, and after a dashing ride of four hours had the satisfaction of surrounding the Dreamer and his accomplice, Wainicut-hi-hi. As soon as the arrangements were completed to keep them safely in their lodge until morning I caused them to be aroused, and informed them of the object of my coming. I told them that night, as I repeated many times on the following morning, that I did not come to hurt them, but go with them to see the commander of this post; that the commander desired to have a talk with him concerning the difficulties he and the white men had got into. At daylight I awoke the Indians, desired them to send for their horses, as I was anxious to make an early start back to the fort. Upon this they sent out a boy, telling me the boy would bring in the horses. The boy returned after about a half or three-quarters of an hour without the horses. I again urged upon them to have their horses brought in without delay. Another young Indian was sent out, as they told me, for horses. He returned in about an hour, bringing with him four or five other Indians. By this time some fifteen or twenty Indian men had gathered from the neighboring lodges. I again urged the Indians. to get ready to start, and if they would not send and get their horses they would have to walk. At this the Dreamer became excited in his manner, and told me if the commander desired to see him that he must come there; that that was his country, and the commander must come there and see him. This put a finale to further talk. I ordered the men to secure and tie the Dreamer and his accomplice, at the same time handing a rope to one of the men. At this both Indians sprang up and seized their arms, which they had hitherto concealed in their blankets. The Dreamer leveled his piece at me, but a ball from my revolver striking him in the breast shook his nerves so that he missed. Both Indians were killed in the tent. While this was going on the Indians who had gathered in, as I supposed, as mere spectators, fired upon my men, who were drawn up in line in front of the lodge. My men returned the fire upon the Indians, killing 2 Indians and 1 horse. The Indians then fled to the brush excepting one old Indian with whom I conversed, telling him the whites did not want to make war upon the Indians, and they must all go back to the reserve. From Mr. White, chief farmer on the Umatilla Indian Agency, I learned that the Dreamer and his band have persistently refused for several months to go upon the reserve, refusing all the while to acknowledge his treaty obligations. From the Dreamer's lodge by easy marches I returned, making inquiry and sent out one scout to learn the disposition of the Indians, and from all I could learn I believe things are all quiet in the Grande Ronde Valley. I arrived here last evening with twenty-five men and horses, and remain, Yours, very respectfully, GEO. B. CURREY, Captain, First Cavalry Oregon Volunteers, Commanding Detachment. Colonel STEINBERGER, Commanding Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter. AUGUST 19-OCTOBER 11, 1862.-Expedition against the Snake Indians in Idaho. REPORTS.* No. 1.-Col. Justus Steinberger, First Washington Territory Infantry. No. 2.-Lieut. Col. Reuben F. Maury, First Oregon Cavalry, commanding expedition. No. 1. Report of Col. Justus Steinberger, First Washington Territory Infantry. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Walla Walla, August 23, 1862-2.30 p. m. SIR: An express has within a few moments arrived from Colonel Maury's command, and I dispatch a special express to Wallula hoping it will arrive there in time for the steam-boat thence for The Dalles. Inclosed is the only communication to district headquarters contained in a very large mail brought in by the expressman. They are almost entirely private letters, and none for the commanding officer of this post. The expressman is intelligent and well informed, and I gather from him the following, which I trust will be found interesting to the commanding general: He left Colonel Maury's command encamped on the Owyhee River about 300 miles from this post all in good condition and about to leave for Salmon Falls in pursuance of district orders and instructions. Very few Indians had been seen during the march and no communication had with them. Evidence was seen of their recent presence along the line of march, and there was no doubt that the Indians throughout the entire country were apprised of the presence of our troops. A very large number of emigrants are on their way to this valley, and many stop in the neighborhood of and divert to the Salmon River and Powder River gold mines. They appear to be in good condition and well appointed, with the single exception of a scarcity of provisions. Reports were current on the Owyhee as the expressman left of the murder of eight or nine emigrants supposed to be by Indians, and one instance is related of the killing of a white man and his being robbed of between $7,000 and $8,000 in Treasury notes and twenty-dollar gold pieces. A few Indians had been seen attempting to exchange the money. The emigrants express much relief in the presence of troops on the road, and the belief is current that trouble *See also report of Brig. Gen. Benjamin Alvord, p. 156. has been averted by the movements of Colonel Maury's expedition. I will retain the expressman until a reply has been received from district headquarters. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Commanding. ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters District of Oregon, Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter. No. 2. Reports of Lieut. Col. Reuben F. Maury, First Oregon Cavalry, commanding expedition. HEADQUARTERS EMIGRANT ROAD EXPEDITION, Camp Bruneau, Snake River, September 22, 1862. GENERAL: On the 19th day of August the command moved from Camp Owyhee, marching slowly, and meeting more or less emigrants almost every day. We arrived at this camp on the 28th, saw but few Indians, and those upon the opposite side of the river. Grass being very scarce and indifferent from Owyhee to this point, I determined to muster here on the 31st, this being an excellent camp with large amount of good grass. Our stock was much improved by the 1st instant, when we continued the march, arriving at the falls early on the 4th. On the 5th moved to Fall River, five miles above the falls. I established a depot at Camp Bruneau, leaving the bulk of our commissary stores and means of transportation, taking with me 125 men and twenty days' provisions. Found a few Indians at the falls, apparently quite friendly but pretending entire ignorance of all depredations committed at any former period. The Indians seen at the falls are the only ones who have visited our camps. Our intercourse with them was friendly and without any misunderstanding. They expressed doubts as to whether it would be possible to effect a treaty with any considerable number of the tribe. They appear to understand well that soldiers will not kill them indiscriminately and only upon some show of guilt, and that so long as they know nothing or pretend ignorance of all offenders, the Government has no means of fixing guilt upon any. Captain Crawford, commanding the escort from Omaha City, arrived at our camp on Fall River on the 8th instant, all well, and gave it as his opinion that he had the last of the emigrants with him. I sent a detachment forty miles up the river. They returned reporting none on the road. I determined to leave the falls aud return to this camp, where I shall remain, sending out detachments as circumstances require until the 27th or 28th, when I shall commence the march for Fort Walla Walla. While on the march to and from the falls and while there, in all eighteen days, the animals of the expedition suffered very much, grass being very scarce and of very indifferent quality. Nothing definite has been heard of the Van Orman children. Their uncle, Z. Van Orman, has gone through to Salt Lake City. In this connection I will mention that one Indian at the falls said that it was the Indians who live in the vicinity of Harney Lake who committed the massacre, and that the children were taken prisoners. Since then he had heard nothing of them, but had no doubt they had been killed. The emigration for Oregon and Washington is very large, amounting to 1,500 wagons with 5,000 people. They have met with very little trouble from Indians, and that at or near Raft River, Fort Hall appearing to be the focus of their operations east and west. At the falls they say that a war council is being held in that vicinity at present, to determine upon peace or war with other tribes, the Blackfeet, &c. From the character, as charged by the emigrants, of the depredations committed this season I cannot resist the conclusion but that white persons were the instigators and allies of the Indians. I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. F. MAURY, Lieutenant-Colonel First Cavalry Oregon Volunteers, Commanding Emigrant Road Expedition. General BENJAMIN ALVORD, Comdg. District of Oregon, Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter. HEADQUARTERS EMIGRANT ROAD EXPEDITION, Camp on Malheur River, Oreg., October 11, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report our arrival on the return trip at this camp in excellent health. As when going up Snake River, the Indians have been very shy of our camp, keeping almost entirely on the opposite bank of the river, although whenever possible they have visited the emigrant camps with much sang froid and impudence. They have studiously avoided, with the exception of a very few at the falls, our camps to such an extent even that on the appearance of a few of our men in any camp they would immediately leave. It is a satisfaction to report also that with the exception of an occasional loss, first by straying of a few heads of stock, I have not learned of the loss, or any material damage to, of a single individual between Fort Walla Walla and Rock Creek, some seventy miles above Salmon Falls, although in a few instances parties of emigrants have been much exposed. This, I think, is mainly attributable to the presence of this expedition. We learn from emigrants that the fact of our coming was generally known before our arrival, and our long stay on the river served no doubt to keep up effectually the intimidation. Their disposition on exposed parts of the road has been aggressive and warlike. The lost party of emigrants, Hiram Smith, of Portland, and party of about sixty persons, are now with us, having been lost and detained some four or five weeks in the mountains of Humboldt River. They are worn out and almost entirely destitute of supplies. I shall supply them with such articles and give such assistance generally as we can spare until they reach the settlements, which I hope will meet your approbation. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, First Lieut. F. MEARS, R. F. MAURY, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. Col. R. F. MAURY, ADDENDA. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON, Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., November 19, 1863. First Oregon Cavalry, commanding expedition against the Snake Indians, Fort Dalles, Oreg.: COLONEL: I write to express my sense of the valuable and important services rendered by you and your command during the past season. It was a long march for some of the troops, more than 1,000 miles. It was free from all untoward events, and the privations of the journey were cheerfully endured with soldierly fortitude and alacrity. No one doubts that if the opportunity had offered the gallant troops under your command would have been distinguished in the face of the enemy. Let them not imagine that the people of this frontier do not appreciate the services your expedition rendered by displaying to the Indians in so many localities the power of the Government. The soldiers of an Oregon regiment have at all events had the satisfaction of seeing in the summer and fall of 1862 and 1863 systematic steps taken for the first time for the protection of the overland emigration. The people of Oregon as well as myself are no doubt ready to express their high appreciation of the honorable manner in which the First Oregon Cavalry have discharged the duties thus devolved upon them. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, BENJ. ALVORD, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding District. SEPTEMBER 8, 1862.-Skirmish on Redwood Creek, Cal. REPORTS. No. 1.-Col. Francis J. Lippitt, Second California Infantry. No. 2.-Lieut. Col. James N. Olney, Second California Infantry. No. 3. Lieut. William H. Noyes, Second California Infantry. No. 4.-Capt. Charles D. Douglas, Second California Infantry. No. 5.-Sergt. Edward Collins, Company F, Second California Infantry. No. 1. Report of Col. Francis J. Lippitt, Second California Infantry. HEADQUARTERS HUMBOLDT MILITARY DISTRICT, Fort Humboldt, September 17, 1862. COLONEL: I have the honor to transmit herewith the official reports of Lieutenant-Colonel Olney and Lieutenant Noyes relative to the unfortunate affair of the 8th instant on Redwood Creek. On the 14th instant I delivered over all the Indian prisoners at this post, 834 in number, to Mr. Hanson, jr., son of the Indian superintendent, on the written order of his father, who remained at Crescent City. Among these were the noted chiefs of predatory bands, Las-Sic, Say-Winne, and Claw-Foot, with many of their followers. They left in the steamer Panama the same day for Crescent City, together with Captain O'Brien's company (C), Second California Volunteer Infantry. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANCIS J. LIPPITT, Colonel Second California Vol. Infty., Comdg. Humboldt Mil. Dist. Lieut. Col. R. C. DRUM, U. S. Army, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Pacific. |