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through these Indians； and as their cloud of dust was much larger
than ours； this appeared a desperate chance。 Preparations to charge
were begun； however； but； much to our surprise； before they were
completed the approaching party halted for a moment and then
commenced to retreat。 This calmed the throbbing of our hearts； and
with a wild cheer we started in a hot pursuit； that continued for
about two miles； when to our great relief we discovered that we were
driving into Rains's camp a squadron of Nesmith's battalion of Oregon
volunteers that we had mistaken for Indians； and who in turn believed
us to be the enemy。 When camp was reached； we all indulged in a
hearty laugh ovor the affair； and at the fright each party had given
the other。 The explanations which ensued proved that the squadron of
volunteers had separated from the column at the same time that I had
when we debouched from the canon； and had pursued an intermediate
trail through the hills； which brought it into the valley of the
Yakima at a point higher up the river than where I had struck it。
Next day we resumed our march up the valley； parallel to the Yakima。
About 1 o'clock we saw a large body of Indians on the opposite side
of the river； and the general commanding made up his mind to cross
and attack them。 The stream was cold； deep； and swift； still I
succeeded in passing my dragoons over safely； but had hardly got them
well on the opposite bank when the Indians swooped down upon us。
Dismounting my men； we received the savages with a heavy fire； which
brought them to a halt with some damage and more or less confusion。
General Rains now became very much excited and alarmed about me； and
endeavored to ford the swift river with his infantry and artillery；
but soon had to abandon the attempt； as three or four of the poor
fellows were swept off their feet and drowned。 Meantime Nesmith came
up with his mounted force； crossed over； and joined me。
The Indians now fell back to a high ridge； on the crest of which they
marched and countermarched； threatening to charge down its face。
Most of them were naked； and as their persons were painted in gaudy
colors and decorated with strips of red flannel； red blankets and gay
war…bonnets； their appearance presented a scene of picturesque
barbarism； fascinating but repulsive。 As they numbered about six
hundred； the chances of whipping them did not seem overwhelmingly in
our favor； yet Nesmith and I concluded we would give them a little
fight； provided we could engage them without going beyond the ridge。
But all our efforts were in vain； for as we advanced they retreated；
and as we drew back they reappeared and renewed their parade and
noisy demonstrations； all the time beating their drums and yelling
lustily。 They could not be tempted into a fight where we desired it；
however； and as we felt unequal to any pursuit beyond the ridge
without the assistance of the infantry and artillery； we re…crossed
the river and encamped with Rains。 It soon became apparent that the
noisy demonstrations of the Indians were intended only as a blind to
cover the escape of their women and children to a place of safety in
the mountains。
Next morning we took up our march without crossing the river； and as
our route would lead us by the point on the opposite bank where the
Indians had made their picturesque display the day before； they at an
early hour came over to our side； and rapidly moved ahead of us to
some distant hills； leaving in our pathway some of the more
venturesome young braves； who attempted ； to retard our advance by
opening fire at long range from favorable places where they lay
concealed。 This fire did us little harm； but it had the effect of
making our progress so slow that the patience of every one but
General Rains was well…nigh exhausted。
About 2 o'clock in the afternoon we arrived well up near the base of
the range of hills； and though it was growing late we still had time
to accomplish something； but our commanding officer decided that it
was best to go into camp； and make a systematic attack next morning。
I proposed that he let me charge with my dragoons through the narrow
canon where the river broke through the range； while the infantry
should charge up the hill and drive the enemy from the top down on
the other side。 In this way I thought we might possibly catch some
of the fugitives； but his extreme caution led him to refuse the
suggestion； so we pitched our tents out of range of their desultory
fire； but near enough to observe plainly their menacing and
tantalizing exhibitions of contempt。
In addition to firing occasionally； they called us all sorts of bad
names； made indecent gestures； and aggravated us； so that between 3
and 4 o'clock in the afternoon； by an inexplicable concert of action；
and with a serious breach of discipline； a large number of the men
and many of the officers broke en masse from the camp with loud yells
and charged the offending savages。 As soon as this mob got within
musket…shot they opened fire on the Indians； who ran down the other
face of the ridge without making the slightest resistance。 The hill
was readily taken by this unmilitary proceeding； and no one was hurt
on either side； but as Rains would not permit it to be held； a large
bonfire was lighted on the crest in celebration of the victory； and
then all hands marched back to camp； where they had no sooner arrived
and got settled down than the Indians returned to the summit of the
ridge； seemingly to enjoy the fire that had been so generously built
for their benefit； and with renewed taunts and gestures continued to
insult us。
Our camp that night was strongly picketed； and when we awoke in the
morning the Indians still occupied their position on the hill。 At
daylight we advanced against them； two or three companies of infantry
moving forward to drive them from the summit； while our main column
passed through the canon into the upper Yakima Valley led by my
dragoons； who were not allowed to charge into the gorge； as the
celerity of such a movement might cause the tactical combination to
fail。
As we passed slowly and cautiously through the canon the Indians ran
rapidly away； and when we reached the farther end they had entirely
disappeared from our front； except one old fellow； whose lame horse
prevented him keeping up with the main body。 This presented an
opportunity for gaining results which all thought should not be lost；
so our guide； an Indian named 〃Cut…mouth John；〃 seized upon it； and
giving hot chase； soon； overtook the poor creature； whom he speedily
killed without much danger to himself； for the fugitive was armed
with only an old Hudson's Bay flint…lock horse…pistol which could not
be discharged。
〃Cut…mouth John's〃 engagement began and ended all the fighting that
took place on this occasion； and much disappointment and discontent
followed； Nesmith's mounted force and my dragoons