Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 2, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1858 — The Oregon Indian War. [ARTICLE]

The Oregon Indian War.

[From the San Diego St. Taylor, Aug. 16.

There is every indication that we are to have a hot reception. No Spokan nor Coeur d’Alene, nor Snake has been near us: only the Nez. Perces, Cavuses ai d Pelouses. Aug. 16.—Some time ago (since Steptoe's affair) it seems that Gen. Clarke offered terms of peace to the Spokans and Coeur d'Alenes. The priest who crossed at the Pelous river just before our arrival, went with the reply of the Indians to Gen Clarke. Day before yesterday afternoon he reached ' our camp on his return from Walla Walla to his mission in the Coeur d'Alene mountains. He informs us that the Indians sent many impertinent messages to General j Clarke. They sent him word that he was prepared ! for war, and so they were: yet after all, his preparation he sends to them to ask a peace: say they want no peace, bnt war, even to I extermination'. He says it is Colonel Wright’s intention to march'to Colville, by way of the) Coeur d’Alene mountains, and probably to establish a post on the Spokan river. I’lie pr'est goes to break up the Coeur d’Alene mission, and he will then take charge of the Santa Clara College in California. He says he has been lor fourteen years in the Coeur d’Alene mountains, and that there has been no change whatever for , the better in the Indians during all that time. - To-night, a little after dark, the Indians were heard across the river. It is very unusual for the Indians to leave their camp at night. A voice from them '.was heard c-ill-ing our interpreter. He went, down to the river and informed them that he was there. They asked him what he was doing with the soldiers, said they would no longer regard him as their friend, and, after cursing him if) English, fired a rille at him and gavjp the war-whoop. The ball struck near him. There were four or five voices.. The fire was instantly returned by six shots from our pickets and sentinels. The camp was turned out, five, mon deployed; and in five minutes all were ready for the attack. But nothing more was heard from them, and the men were ordered to sleep on their arms. That was . equivalent to tiring on a white flag, and they are bound tomiffer for it. (,'olonel Wright leaves Walla Walla to day, and this day week probably we will cross the Rubicon. Five mounted Indians came down to the river opposite to us just now, anef formed in line. Orders were given to fire a charge of canister at them, but before Major Wvse got ready some one saw a piece of v. hit.e muslin projecting from the of one of •the Indians and called out “white 11 ig!” The order to destroy them was countermanded, a boat, was sent lor two of them, they came over, inducements were olllrod to them to reveal the caches of the Spokans and Coeur d’Alenes, and seat away.