A Yakama Chief Falls as the Territory's Indian War Ends

INDIAN WAR.

It is with no little gratification that we are able to announce, as our readers will be required to learn, that the Indian war has been brought to a close. The forces brought into the field against Col. Wright have been repeatedly defeated and finally dispersed; the hostile tribes engaged in the war have all, or nearly all, surrendered, acknowledging their inferiority; their leaders have been hung or shot, and they have given hostages for their future good faith. The campaign just closed has been a short but brilliant one, thanks to the efficiency of the officers in command. Too much praise cannot be accorded to Gen. Clark for his promptitude, foresight, and generous provision of men and means. The people of Oregon and Washington Territories owe him a debt of gratitude it would be difficult to overpay.

The following closing scenes in the war we copy from the Oregon Democratic Standard of the 13th instant: The troops of Col. Wright's columns have returned to Fort Walla Walla, and the Artillery Battalion under command of Captain Reyes is already on the march to this post, en route for Fort Vancouver, where three companies will remain for the present; the other three companies will possibly be sent to California—orders have been issued directing such a movement.

After the troops had crossed to this side of Snake River, on the morning of the 29th inst., the Yakama chief Owhi, father of Qualchin, attempted to escape and fell mortally wounded. Up to that time he had appeared contented with his guard, but seized the occasion when momentarily separated from the command, and in charge alone of Lieut. Morgan, 2d Artillery, to make a dash through the bushes. Morgan followed promptly and with three shots severely wounded him and his horse. At the same time Private Echo, of E troop, 1st Dragoons, came up and gave Owhi the coup de grace with a shot through the head, of which he died in two hours. Thus perished the father of the chief Qualchin.

The commands of Capt. Taylor and Lieut. Gaston have been held at Walla Walla with military stores. The expedition has returned without signally brilliant results, with a loss of but two men killed, several horses and thirty-two mules. At Fort Simcoe, [word illegible] of an occurrence of a similar character, the chief Michael, nephew of Kanaskin, and a leading murderer of Bolon in 1855, has been captured and sent to the guard house at Fort Simcoe, soon, we trust, to be tried by a court martial.