THE UPRISING OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 957, 19 July 1877, Page 3

THE UPRISING OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS.

The following are the accounts from Oregon of the uprising of the Indian tribes : The steamer Almata, from Lewistan, Idaho Territory, has just arrived, and brings the following Indian news. The Indians, embracing Joseph’s band and the Salmon River Indians, were assembled on Camas Prairie, making demonstrations of hostilities. On Friday morning news came that Harry Ott and three other white men had been killed on Salmon River, near the mouth of White Bird. The settlers on Camas Prairie had become so much alarmed that they were gathering toward Mount Idaho, and asked for troops to come to their relief; but no troops were ordered upon their request. About five o’clock p.m. Friday, an Indian messenger came through to the agency with a letter to the effect that the Indians had made an attack upon the settlers on the prairie, and had killed Ben Norton, shot his wife, shot Mr Moore, badly wounded Morton’s son, and mortally wounded a Mr Day, and had attacked all teams on the road and forced the men to abandon them, and at the time of writing had possession of all of Camas Prairie except Mount Idaho, and were threatening an attack upon that town, and demanded immediate aid to be sent to the rescue.

On Friday evening, at eight o’clock, a military force of 100 troops, twenty friendly Indians, and several citizens, left Lapwai garrison under command of Colonel Perry, for Mount Idaho. Yarious letters have been brought through by Indian messengers to the agency and garrison, from Mount Idaho and Kamai, some of them having come through since fho arrival of the troops at Mount Idaho. Following is the substance of the intelligence ; Part of the Indians have gone to attack the settlers on Salmon River and part have gone to a fortified place on Cottonwood Creek, below Chapman’s. Captain James Baker, Samuel Benedict, wife and four children, Harry Mason, Henry Elfers, and Warren’s expressman had been killed on Salmon River; also, that a pack train of forty mules had been attacked near Cold Spring, and two white men, named Davenport and Ousley, were killed. Two half-breed Indians escaped. The Indians, according to the letters and settlers, were fighting below Chapman’s. After the arrival of Colonel Perry a despatch came through to the effect that he arrived at Mount Idaho on Saturday morning, and found the reports of those killed true. The Indians had gone to Salmon River, and the troops were in pursuit. Messengers from Kamai, brought by Indian runners to the Agency, state that twenty-nine whites had been killed, and that the whites had killed White Bird, Chief of the band, and his family, Lewiston has an organisation of sixty men, partly fitted for home duty in case of emergency. Two companies of infantry arc expected here on the steamer from Wallula to-night, and twenty-five cavalrymen from Walla Walla to-morrow. Five hundred Indians are on Hangman Creek, but there are no hostiles there yet.

The troops, with XoO men from Mount Idaho, encountered the Indians at the head of White .Bird Canon. The troops dismounted and left a few soldiers and twenty friendly Indians to Bold the horses. The Indians opened lire upon the troops and the lighting was continued for some time. The

friendly Indians became alarmed, and the soldiers guarding the horses could see that the Indians were getting the best of the fight, and the soldiers were retreating. The Captain of the citizens, Sergeant Lytle and one soldier were known to be killed. The whole horse guard, Indians, and whites, broke and run, some for Mount Idaho and some for Lapwai, leaving the horses to run loose over the prairie. Those coming to Lapwai never stopped till they reached the post. Many houses on the prairie have been burned. Another soldier who reached the garrison at 8 o’clock on the morning of the 18th from the fight, reported that the troops were on foot and surrounded by Indians in the canon, and in a hand-to-hand fight, Colonel Perry and about ono half of the command are said to have been killed, and the remainder surrounded and fighting against odds when the soldier left. The Indians engaged in the fight are non-treaty Nez Forces. They, together with other disaffected tribes, number about two thousand effective warriors. There is a general uprising of the savages, and the whole country is wild with alarm. The Indians are massacreing men, women, and children in Camas Prairie, and the settlors are (locing in all directions for safety. General Howard is now at Lewiston, but is now powerless, owing to the inadequate military forces. Troops have been ordered from a number of posts in the Department, and will soon be on the way to the scene. General McDowell, commanding the Division of the Pacific, has been telegraphed to and speedy assistance demanded. Further and sanguinary details arc expected.

A Sociable Sinner. — A phase of drunkenness never thought of by the recent Temperance Conference at Wellington, has been brought to light by the Cooktown “ Courier.” A man recently down from the Palmer, who had struck a patch—there arc patches on the old field yet—wanted a good comfortable spree. Now, says the “ Courier,” it is a well known fact that a drunken man cannot on perfectly happy unless he has a companion in the same state with whom In? can converse, quarrel, fraternise, and fight Wl * equal terms. The unhappy Palmei; man had no friends in Cooktown, and ho could not at first be suited. In time lie found an unemployed man with a red nose, and to him he addressed himself. “Male,” said he, “do you want work?” “Well, yes,” said the man, withdrawing his pipe, “ what’s the wages ?” “£2 a week and found.” Right you are; it’s bettor than the sanguinary Corporation ; and what do yon want me to do?” “Drink with me for a fortnight, and I do the shouting.” “I’m on !” And they both went on, and neither of them is off the spree yet.