August 23, 186112.45 p. M to Attwell informs me that certain rumors have been afloat that the, August 23, 1861

Lieut. A. €. WILDRICK, Third Artillery, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General,

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that in obedience to Special Orders, No. 28, from headquarters District of Oregon, of August 21, 1861, and in accordance with instructions from same source and date, I arrived at this post with my command about 4 p. in. on the 21st instant. I immediately took steps to acquaint myself with the condition of affairs in this vicinity. Pve seen all the white settlers in the immediate vicinity of this post, and have had a conversation on the subject separately with them; have been unable to find out anything of a definite character. All seemed to be rumor, and to come from a friendly Indian or Indians who were under the influence of liquor, and stated that Indians were going to war again; that they expected the Cascades would be attacked. All this about a week ago, and as they had been here in the difficulty of 1856, they had no desire or wish to be again if the place was attacked, so they intended to leave and go down the river near Vancouver. The people were evidently alarmed, and from what I can gather were much more so about a week ago than at the time of my arrival. The general impression here, as far as I am able to learn, is that propositions have been made to the Cascade Indians to join in a war against the whites and attack the Cascades. The proposition, I am told, was made by Tim-e-tos whilst under the influence of liquor and on a visit to the Portage (Oregon side). He then returned to the Klickitat country without going to Oregon City, as was reported. Blan-a-har denies all knowledge of such propositions or that an attack is to be made, and says he will give information of anything of the kind as soon as he hears it; that he has not forgotton the good advice given him by Colonel Wright several years ago. The impression seems to have been that an attack would have been made had not their plans become known and from the fact that Colonel Wright acted so promptly in the matter. The arrival of my command has evidently had a very good effect upon the Indians and allayed the excitement amongst the whites. I have seen but two persons who reside at the Upper Cascades, and they tell me an attack was apprehended up there about a week ago, but now there seemed to be little or no fear of it, at least for the present. I can hear of no strange or other Indians in the mountains on this side of the river nearer than the berry patch in the Klickitat country, about twenty-five miles up Wind River, where many Indians usually resort for berries about this season of the year. I hear of some Indians at the berry patch on the mountains opposite here, but the report received was not very definite. Upon the arrival of Captain Van Voast with his company I hope to be able to find out something more definite. I expect two Indians from the Oregon side of the Portage this morning and hope to get some information by which I ean act promptly and with effect.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,