cctbyti.html

The Pioneer and Democrat, Olympia, W.T., April 4, 1856, page 2

From the Oregonian March 29th
STARTLING NEWS!
Cascade City Taken By Indians!
FIFTEEN WHITES KILLED!
The Town in Ashes!

Friday, March 28 - 9 A.M.
We have received several letters within the last 24 hours, from points above, along the Columbia tiver. The Indians it seems have by a coup de main withdrawn all of the regulars who have been wintering at Vancouver, to the east side of the Cascade mountain. These Indians made a show of defiance at White Salmon, burned a house or two, killed and drove off a quantity of stock and committed other depredations; where-upon all the available force of the regular army was ordered to move to the Indian country.
The Oregon volunteers who took the field last September, and who have been in the Indian country ever since, were about to cross the Snake river and give the Indians battle. At this juncture it seems, the Indians have divided their forces, and by a military ruse, have placed a large war party between both the regulars, volunteers, and the settlements, and have re-commenced the war near our doors.
On Tuesday night, 25th inst., the Indians, supposed to number 800, attacked the Cascades, and at our latest dates, had full and complete possession of the only pass by which communication can be had with either the regular forces or the volunteers now in the field. The Indians have burned every building at the Cascades. They have captured and destroyed the steamer Mary, killing a large number of the citizens, and yesterday, were fighting with the forces in the block house.
It will be seen by the letter following, the situation of the affairs at the Cascades at that date:

STEAMER BELLE, March 26, 5½ P.M.
Just below the mouth of Sandy, we met Capt. Kilborn in a batteau, loaded with men and women, bringing the startling news that the Cascades was attacked last night by the Klickitat Indians, that they had surrounded the block house (Fort Rains) and were fighting when they left, against the few that are at the Cascades - not over 25.
We immediately turned around and send you this by an express to Capt. Wells. I feel well assured that this is no humbug, but all too sadly true. I cannot say what may be done by the officer in command at Vancouver, as I send this before we hear from there. I give you the facts; act accordingly.

Yours, in haste,
Seth S. Slater.

Upon the receipt of this news, a public meeting was immediately called in this city, and over forty men volunteered at once to go to the rescue. The steamer Fashion was dispatched at an early hour yesterday with these volunteers and such arms as could be procured.
The steamer Belle was dispatched from Vancouver with 40 regulars and a few volunteers at 5 o'clock yesterday morning. She arrived at the Cascades about 10 o'clk., and succeeded in landing her men under cover of howitzers. The Indians in large numbers resisted them, and the flight had continued for several hours when Mr. Slater, the purser of the Belle, left in a canoe for assistance. Mr. Dennison, one of Gov. Curry's aides, has sent overland the following letter, which explains how matters where when Slater left:
Col. Stark: -- Mr. Staler just passed us in a canoe and says that all the houses at the Cascades are burned, and that the Indians are from six to eight hundred strong. Our people are fighting at the block-house, and those on board of the Belle are fighting and can furnish no relief to those in the block-house. Two other men who went up on the Belle are killed. The Indians report the steamer Mary burned.
We want supplies and ammunition, and at least one hundred men in addition to what we now have. We shall take a position and try to defend ourselves, and send the Fashion back immediately. See that we have supplies and ammunition.

Yours, in haste,
A.P. Dennison.

Another company is now being enrolled, who will go up today to the aid of those few gallant men, volunteers and regulars, numbering not over 100 men, struggling against some 800 of those fiends in human shape, called Indians.
Another letter was received this afternoon from Vancouver, stating that the Indians were within six miles of that place, and were laying waste to the country over which they traveled, murdering all ages, sexes, and condition of people.
Large numbers of the inhabitants from the adjacent country are constantly coming into the city for protection and safety. The whole country is in a state of alarm and confusion. God only knows what or where will be the end of this war.
We have received the following letter from Mr. Slater, who left the Cascades yesterday afternoon. The letter will explain how matters stood at the latest hour we have any intelligence:

On Board Express Canoe,
March 27, 1856

Mr. Dryer - Yesterday I wrote you a hasty note informing you of the news that we had from an express from the Cascades. This was startling to us but there was room for doubt. I wrote then on such a state of mind - now I wrote you from actual knowledge. The Cascades is taken by the Indians!
We started from Fort Vancouver this morning at 2 o'clock, with Lieut. Sheridan and forty men, on board the steamer Belle. We got to the Cascades about 10 o'clock today and found the houses still smoldering and burning. The torch had laid in ashes all that was to be seen. We landed on the Oregon side, opposite to where Mr. Johnson's house stood. Lieut. Sheridan and a part of his men went to opposite Putt's Island. We discovered some persons whom we could not distinguish to be white or red. Capt. Wells stationed sentinels on the bank to prevent a surprise. Lieut. Sheridan soon returned, bringing the intelligence that the entire town was laid in ashes, that the steamer Mary was burned, and that they were still fighting at the block-house. About twenty had been killed.
While we were lying there, we saw the Indians re-crossing from Putt's Island to the Washington side.
Capt. Wells immediately took the boat and all hands to the Cascades side, to render assistance, if possible, to the sufferers. We landed at the "Sand bar." Lieut. Sheridan, Capt. Wells and a party of men went to bring a boat that was seemed to be ashore at Johnson's. Hardly had they returned ere they discovered the Indians in numbers in the bushes. They met the foe. About forty shots were fired in quick succession. One U.S. soldier was killed, and I think two or more Indians.
It was soon discovered that they were in too great numbers for our force, and a retreat was made for the open ground, the boat dropping down at the same time.
A council of war was held, and the conclusion was that the ground was to be maintained, and an express sent to Vancouver. During this time two canoes of quas Indians had come to the boat. Capt. Wells ordered myself and a crew to take one of the canoes and go to Vancouver and dispatch; started, saw Indians along the banks as far as Cape Horn. More soon.

S.S. Slater.
Saturday, March, 29, 2 P.M.

The steamer Jenny Clarke has just arrived with the volunteers who went to the Cascades at the first tap of the drum.
The news is briefly this:
The Cascades is destroyed, except the block house and one building.
The steamer Mary escaped.
The Cascades are now in possession of the regulars, with a force sufficient to hold the pass. The inmates of the block-house have been released from their perilous situation.
The following persons are known to have been killed: Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Mr. St. Clair, (of Walla-walla), Messrs. Griswold, Marklay, Moffett, Jacobs, Cyle, Pierce, Thomas Fletcher, Murphy, Mrs. Snooks and three children, 4 regulars. There are, killed and missing, 15 in all.
Capt. Walling, of the U.S.A., who went up in the Belle yesterday, with a company of regulars, has possession of the Lower Cascades. A large number of prisoners have been taken, among them the principal chiefs. Fourteen had been tried and were shot a few minutes after the Jenny left. It was unknown how many Indians had been killed, but 15 bodies have been found.