commissioners. If you think it best to proceed at once with the
main body of the army to Waiilatpu, do so ; selecting immediately
on your arrival the best point, in your judgment, for erecting a
fort. Grass, water, and wood will be the principal objects. The
Indians have no cannon, and could not annoy a fort from a dis
tance. Should the tribes combine and refuse to comply with the
requisitions of the commissioners, I leave the field in your hands,
respecting, however, the lives and property of all friendly Indians.
I shall wait with much anxiety to hear from you, until when, I remain, sir, your obedient servant,
GEORGE ABERNETHY,
Col. C. Gilliam, Governor of Oregon Territory.
First Regiment Oregon Riflemen.
About the last of January, Colonel Gilliam led one hundred and thirty men, all that could be mounted and equipped, as far east as Des Chutes river, with the object of punishing those Indians who had driven off the immigrant cattle. Their village was believed to be on the high plain, about twenty miles above the Des Chutes crossing, on the east side, and Lee, who had received his commission as major, and taken the oath administered by Gilliam, was sent forward to discover it. The Indians had already discovered ihim, and were moving their families and property towards the mountains when overtaken. He threw his little force against them, one Indian being killed, and two (women) captured, with a number of horses. On returning to camp with the news, he was attacked while passing through a ravine by a mounted and well-armed force, which, firing upon him, compelled his men to dismount and seek shelter among rocks and bushes, where the detachment remained until dark, an noyed by avalanches of stones rolled down upon them, but sustaining no loss.
On the day following the whole force went in pursuit of the enemy, which was found and attacked, losing several men killed, a large number of horses, a few cattle, and one thousand and four hundred dollars worth of stolen property which was found cached in the hills. Their village was destroyed, but the old people in it were spared.
