Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/206

 was passed

in a painfully slow fighting march, the troops being com pelled to pass the night several miles from camp, without food or fire, to which discomfort was added the fatigue of the previous sleepless night, and the impossibility of catch ing a half hours rest, with almost an incessant firing into camp. Unable to stand the strain, the order was given to turn out the captured stock, in the hope that the Indians would desist from their annoyances on recovering it. But the sacrifice was useless, the Indians attacking as soon as the troops were upon the road, which was as soon as there was light enough to show them the country to be traveled over, when they took to the hills on the west side of the river to avoid ambuscades. "As soon," says one report, "as we reached the top of the hills we gave a regular Indian yell to let them know we were ready for the fray. It came right soon. Captain Halt s company from Washington county, and Captain Phil. Thompson s company from Yamhill county, were in the hottest of the engagement, and called for assistance, which was rendered. We then moved towards the Touchet, and as we had beaten them in the first attack we began to fear they would not follow us further. The interpreter was sent to the top of a hill to challenge them, which excited them somewhat. As we neared the Touchet, Shaw was ordered to take twenty picked men with good horses and cut off the Indians on the left," they having been hanging all the morning on the column in bunches, like swarms of hornets.

Shaw s detachment ran their horses for three-fourths of a mile to a point which shut the Indians off from the river; but they pursued a shorter route, intending to come down the stream before the volunteers reached the timber, and make a stand there. They were disappointed, the volunteers gaining the point of advantage. The bravery and determination of a few young men saved the Oregon army on this occasion. The names of those so distin guished, according to the report of the senior captain, were Captains Hall, Owens, and Thompson, Sergeants Burch