Bee Maury to First Lieut. J. W. HOPKINS, September 23, 1864

Fort Boisé, Idaho Ter., September 23, 1864. SIR: Letters to the 16th instant have been received from Lieutenant Hobart. He was then a few miles above the mouth of Bruneau River, where he had found a camp of thirty or forty Indians on an island. By night marching he had surprised it, and throwing a shell in its midst at daylight succeeded in driving them from the island, where eight of the party were killed. Their camp and considerable plunder were destroyed. From Lieutenant Hobart’s dispatches I am confirmed in the opinion that the Indians who have usually resorted to the Upper Owyhee at his seascn to hunt and fish, have sought the Snake River to avoid the movements of Captain Currey’s command. The river was searched equally as closely in 1862 and 1863 as now, but there are evidently many more Indians on it now than then. The lieutenant expected to move rapidly to the head of Bruneau Valley, but it is feared that the escape of some during the last skirmish may alarm the camp supposed to be there in time to enable them to make their escape. The overland escort has been heard from this side of Salmon Falls. . All weli, and will probably reach this place in a few days.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,