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Union County, OR AGHP
CHAPTER XLVIII.
(1856.)
The Indian War in Southern Oregon Continued - New Year's Day Finds the Savages Committing Depredations - Conduct of the Military and Volunteers - Major Bruce in the Field - Another Fight with the Savages - Pursuing the Indians - The Volunteers Ambushed - Reorganization of the Militia - John Kelsay, Colonel, and W.W. Chapman, Lieutenant-Colonel, of the New Regiment - A Flag of Truce Protects the Murderous Savages - Renewal of the Campaign Against the Indians - Captain Poland's Company of volunteers Surprised and Butchered - Depredations by the Indians, and Efforts at Self-Protection by the Settlers - Treachery of Enos - The Big Bend of Rogue River - A Great Battle at That Point - Valor of the Volunteers Saves the Regulars from Annihilation - Surrender of the Indians - Close of the War.
THE year of 1856 opened much less auspiciously than the previous one. the ground was still covered with snow, although the weather was milder; while the Indian difficulties were apparently no nearer a settlement than when commenced in October of the preceding year. The withdrawal of the troops from an offensive campaign gave to Chief John, the leader of the hostiles, the desired opportunity to rob, kill and burn, as well as to supply his warriors with food; while the uncertainty as to the point of the next attack rendered travel unsafe, and much embarrassed every branch of business.
On the first day of January, Major Bruce was informed that a band of Indians had taken possession of three log cabins on Starr gulch, a branch of Applegate creek, and were committing depredations from that point. The Major at once ordered Captain rice to proceed there with his company. Upon reconnoitering the place, it was found that the cabins were held and so well fortified by the Indians that small arms would have no effect. Word was immediately sent to Fort Lane; and Captain Smith at once ordered Lieutenant Underwood and Lieutenant Hazen, with thirty-five men, in charge of the howitzer, to proceed to that point. On their way they were joined by many citizens, among whom were Martin Angell and Mr. Walker, who were riding nearly two hundred yards ahead of the command, when, at a point about two miles from Jacksonville, they were fired upon by the Indians. Angell was killed instantly, having received four bullets in his head and neck, but Walker escaped without injury. The Indians were immediately pursued, but easily made their escape up the mountain, through the chaparral, and were soon beyond gunshot. This was not the only misfortune experienced by the command. On the forward march to Applegate, the mule mule packed with the ammunition for the howitzer fell off a cliff into Applegate creek, and was killed, and the ammunition spoiled. An express was at once sent to Fort Lane for more; and Lieutenant Sweitzer and sixteen dragoons
(1) In the biography of Colonel W. W. Chapman, in another volume of this work, will be found an account of this Indian war, which wa written at the dictation of, and approved by, Colonel Chapman, who was an active participant in that war, and knows whereof he speaks. The Colonel is now in his eighty-second year; but his memory and other mental faculties are hale and unimpaired. PUBLISHER.
(445)
left Fort Lane with the necessary ammunition, the transportation being furnished by the quartermaster of the volunteers, as it could not be furnished by the quartermaster at Fort Lane. The regular troops arrived at the cabins about three o'clock P.M. on the 4th of January, planted their howitzer, and sent a shell through the roof of one of the cabins which killed two Indians. It being now nearly dark, the attack was postponed until morning, a guard being placed around the cabins to prevent the escape of the Indians. The savages, finding that their quarters were getting too uncomfortable, broke through the guard about two o'clock in the morning and escaped. The force of the Indians was about thirty warriors, who were well fortified, besides having dug bomb-proof chambers inside, six feet underground. The loss of the Whites was one man killed and five wounded, one having been shot through the leg at a distance of five hundred yards. On the same day that Angell was killed, Charles Hule, of Jacksonville, while hunting on the hills near town, became separated from his companions, and was also killed by the Indians.
After the escape of the Indians from their fort on Applegate, Major Bruce, who had arrived on the field, taking a portion of Alcom's, Rice's and Williams' companies, followed their trail, which led to the west. On the twenty-first, the scouting party came upon the Indians, who ran with all speed to the camp of the savages and gave the alarm, when the Indians at once prepared to fight. The scouts only numbered twenty-five men, less than half the force of the Indians, but they attacked them with great gallantry. The fighting was severe for some time, but the arrival of Lieutenant Armstrong with a small reinforcement soon compelled the Indians to retreat. The Whites lost Wiley Cash of Alcom's company, killed, and private Richardson of Williams' company, severely wounded. They also lost twelve horses killed.
On the 18th of January, Captain
James Barnes of the spy company reported to Colonel W.J. Martin that quite
a large force of Indians were encamped at the Big Bend of Cow creek. Colonel
Martin immediately ordered Captains Bailey, Chapman and Gorden, with such
forces as were available, their commands being very much scattered in order
to protect the settlements, to proceed and attack the camp. The command
left Cow creek on the night of the 20th of January, traveled all night
and stopped all the next day in order to conceal their advance. On the
twenty-second, they renewed their advance, and at midnight arrived at the
Indian camp, which they found deserted. Scouts followed their trail far
enough to arrive at the conclusion that the Indians had retreated to their
headquarters at the Meadows; therefore the commands of Captains Chapman
and Gorden returned to the settlements, leaving Captain Bailey and his
company, with a small detachment of Captain Buoy's company, under the command
of Lieutenant Noland, to guard against any attack of the Indians from that
direction. On the night of the twenty-third, Captain Bailey's command,
deeming the enemy far away, built a large fire, around which they were
indulging in athletic sports to keep themselves warm. While thus engaged,
the Indians who had followed the volunteers as soon as their retrograde
movement was made, firing into camp, instantly killing John L. Gardiner
of Lane county, mortally wounding Thos. Gage, and seriously wounding Jere.
Taylor of Douglas county. The Whites being in the full light of the fire,
and the Indians concealed by the brush and in the dark, it became necessary
for the Whites also to retire to the brush, where they laid upon their
arms till morning. The Indians made no further attack; and Captain Bailey,
having ascertained in the morning that the main body of the Indians were
present, fell back and rejoined the other companies.
About the middle of January, 1856, Colonel Williams ordered the headquarters of the Southern regiment to be removed from Vannoy's ferry to Drew's farm on Bear creek, several miles east of Fort Lane. The object of such a movement is not apparent. In a military point of view, it was unpardonable. The defensive policy had already proved disastrous to the Whites upon many occasions; while the abandonment of Fort Vannoy, which was the key to the position, left the whole of the valley of Rogue river and its tributaries at the mercy of the savages. The protest of the officers and the citizens was at least heard by the Legislative Assembly; and on the 26th of January an act was passed for the organization of the militia, under which John K. Lamerick was elected Brigadier-General of the southern forces, M.M. McCarver, Commissary-General, Jos. S. Drew, Quartermaster-General and Dr. Backwell, Surgeon-General. The term of service of the companies having expired, many of the men desired to be discharged, especially in the Northern battalion, whose farms and families required their presence. These were accordingly discharged; and on the 12th of February, General Lamerick, by order of the governor, issued a proclamation for the enlistment of four new companies to reinforce the Northern battalion, two companies from Lane and Benton counties conjointly, and one company each from Linn and Douglas counties. The new regiment was soon recruited. The company from Lane was mustered in on February 13th, Wm. H. Latshaw, Captain; that from Benton county February 18th, John Kelsay, Captain; the Douglas county company a few days later, Ed. Sheffield, Captain. The companies of Captain W.W. Chapman, Captain Laban Buoy and Captain Dan Barnes of the Northern battalion remained in the field.
The Southern battalion nearly all re-enlisted, and was increased by the companies of Captain M.M. Williams, Captain Mike Bushey and Captain Abel George. The regiment was organized, March 18, 1856, by the election of John Kelsay, Colonel; William W. Chapman, Lieutenant-Colonel; James Bruce, Major; William H. Latshaw, Major of first recruiting battalion; E.L. Massey, Major of second recruiting battalion. Lieutenant Colonel Wm. J. Martin, having been appointed receiver of the Umpqua land-office, was compelled to leave the field. The companies of the new regiment were distributed much in the same manner as before to protect the settlements, the Northern battalion taking positions on Grave creek, Cow creek, Camas valley and other points; while the Southern battalion was distributed in Rogue river and Illinois valleys until such time as the commissary and quartermaster generals could provide the means for an aggressive campaign. The performance of this duty was very much impeded by the very bad weather of February and March. About the 20th of February, Chief Limpy and thirty of his warriors, well armed, came to Fort Lane with a flag of truce. They there announced that their object was to secure the surrender of some of their squaws who were held as prisoners by the Indian agent. They had no desire for peace, and declared their confidence in being able to conquer the Whites. Upon their request being refused, they were permitted to return unharmed to their headquarters on lower Rogue river. In allowing these savages, who had never spared a kneeling woman or an innocent child, the benefit of the rules of civilized warfare, Captain Smith exhibited a degree of magnanimity which he had an opportunity to regret a few months later at the Big Bend of Rogue river.
On February 23, 1856, Chief Sam
with all his band of friendly Indians, who had been encamped at Fort Lane
since the outbreak of October previous, left for their reservation in the
Willamette valley, escorted by one hundred and six regular soldiers under
the command of Lieutenants Underwood and Hazen. They were not attacked
either by the hostile Indians or the volunteers, as was feared, although, before reaching the Grave creek hills, one Indian, while searching for his horse outside of camp, was shot and killed by some person unknown. The removal of these Indians was a source of relief to the settlers, who, knowing the Indian character, were uncertain at what moment their friendship would change to deadly hostility; while the Indian agent and Captain Smith at Fort Lane were in constant dread of an attack upon them either by the hostiles or the volunteers. The whole band numbered four hundred, of which only eighty were men, many of them superannuated, the remainder being women and children. On the 2d of February, Indian agent R.B. Metcalfe arrived at the Grand Ronde reservation in charge of the friendly bands of Umpqua Indians, without any escort or any accident. The same could have been done with Sam's band, but for a scare which originated with General Palmer, the superintendent of Indian affairs.
As soon as it was evident that the volunteers intended to take the field in earnest, Captain Smith, who had ceased to act in accord with the volunteers, on the 13th of February made a requisition upon General Wool at San Francisco for three companies to reinforce him at Fort Lane. In compliance with this request, the steamer Columbia landed at Crescent City, California, on March eighth, ninety-six men of Company B, Third Artillery, under Captain Ord and Lieutenant Thrie, with Colonel Buchanan, who had been sent to take the chief command in Southern Oregon; and on the next day the same vessel landed forty-seven recruits for Major Reynolds' company at Port Orford.
Up to the month of February, the Indian tribes of the coast, by the efforts of the Indian agents and the punishment they had previously suffered, seemed disposed to remain at peace with the Whites; but it soon became evident that the emissaries of the hostiles had again been among them with dangerous effect. Special Agent E.P. Drew, who had charge of the Indians from the Siuselaw to the Coquille river, and Captain Ben Wright, who was in charge of those from Port Orford to the California line, used their utmost endeavors to prevent any combination. Drew, upon visiting his charges, found that the warriors had gone to the head of the Coquille, from which point communication with the headquarters of the hostiles at the Meadows was, to an Indian, easy. Captain Wright went up the coast as far as Port Orford, and was indefatigable in his labors. Upon his return to Rogue river, wright went up the Big Bend to induce the Indians under his charge to remove to Port Orford, and thus keep them beyond the influence of the hostiles. Captain Poland, with a company of thirty-three volunteers, occupied a well-fortified post near the bend, from which any westward movement of the hostiles could be detected and perhaps checked. Wright, having reason to believe that his mission was successful, returned to his cabin on the south side of Rogue river; and Captain Poland with his company came with him and encamped at the same place.
At the dawn of day on the 22d
of February, the camp was surprised and every man killed but two, one of
whom escaped to the mouth of the river; and the other, Charles Foster,
escaped by concealing himself in a thicket until dark, when he made his
escape to Port Orford and reported the disaster of Major Reynolds. A number
of Captain Poland's company had previously left for the mining camp at
the mouth of the river and thus escaped the massacre. After this, the Indians
crossed Rogue river and went up the coast as far as Port Orford, a distance
of thirty miles, burning every house but one, and murdering all the inhabitants
except Mrs. Geisel and her daughter, who were taken prisoners. As soon
as the news reached the mouth of the river, the volunteers and all the
men who had arms, which were few, proceeded at once to the
camp but found the Indians had gone. They buried the dead, and on their return crossed to the north side of the river with the whole population, numbering over one hundred, and took refuge in some warehouses which had been slightly fortified. They had but few arms and but four days' provisions. Major Reynolds, in command of Port Orford, had but about thirty men, which force was barely sufficient, with the citizens, to protect that place, and could render no assistance to Rogue river. A whale boat was sent from Port Orford to communicate with them; but, in attempting to land, it was swamped, and the crew drowned. Captain Tichenor tried to reach them with the schooner Nelly, but owing to the heavy wind failed to do so. The killed were: Ben Wright, Indian Agent; John Poland, Captain of volunteers; Pat. McCullough, Pat. McClusky, John Idles, Henry Lawrence, Barney Castle, Guy C. Holcomb, Joseph Wilkinson, Joseph Wagner, E.W. Howe, J.H. Braun, John Geisel and four children, his wife and daughter taken prisoners (soon exchanged), Martin Reed, George Reed, Lorenzo Warner, Samuel Hendrick and a negro, name unknown. These were killed in the first attack. Soon after the list was increased with the names of Henry Bullen, L.W. Oliver, Daniel Richardson, Adolf Schmoldt and George Trickey, to which may be added the names of the drowned: H.C. Gerow, merchant, John O'Brien, miner, Sylvester Long, Farmer, William Thompson, Richard Gay, boatmen, and Felix McCue.
This massacre exhibited a depth of treachery which was scarcely credible, even to those who best understood the Indian character. The number of Indians making the attack, according to Foster, who, from his hiding place, had full opportunity to see all their movements, was about three hundred, the most of whom belonged to a tribe under Wright's care, which had received special favors from him; and the remainder were warriors from John's band, all under the leadership of Eneas, or Enos, as he was generally called by the Whites. Enos was a Canadian Indian, who was with Frémont when he was attacked by the Modocs at Klamath Lake in 1845, and was favorably mentioned by him. He acted as scout for Wright when he made the attack upon the Modoc Indians in 1852, and while acting as Indian agent at Rogue river was his most trusted agent. It was upon the efforts of Enos that Wright chiefly relied to prevent the Tootootenais, his wards, from joining the hostiles; and it was upon his assurance of their fidelity that he returned to the mouth of the river. On the morning of the twenty-second, Enos entered the quarters of Captain Wright, unsuspected of treachery, and killed him with an axe, which was the signal for the general massacre. He afterwards mutilated the body, cut out his heart and ate a portion of it. It is said the Chetcoe Jennie, a squaw who was acting as interpreter for Wright, at a salary of five hundred dollars a year from the Indian Department, also joined in the repast.
Chief John, after the accession
of Enos and the coast Indians, had too strong a force to remain idle at
his headquarters and consequently sent a strong force to his old camp on
Deer creek and through the Illinois valley. On the 12th of February, they
killed John Guess while plowing on the farm of Dr. Smith on Deer creek,
and left him dead in the furrow. On Sunday, March 23d, they ambushed and
killed two travelers, Wright, a partner of Vannoy's, and Private Olney
of O'Neal's company, at the foot of Eight Dollar Mountain; and an hour
later the same band met a party of five upon whom they fired, mortally
wounding John Davis. Word was sent to Vannoy's, to which place the headquarters
of the Southern battalion had been lately removed; and Lieutenant-Colonel
Chapman at once ordered Major Bruce to move against the Indians. Captain
O'Neal's company, which was nearest the scene of action, was sent to Hays'
ranch, as there were
few men to defend that post. Just before reaching it they met the Indians and had a sharp fight, in which Private Caldwell was mortally wounded. The Whites reached the fort, which the Indians surrounded until night, when they left to capture Evans' pack train, which was coming from Crescent city. They killed and Mexican packer and wounded Evans. Evans escaped to Reeves' ranch; but the mules and packs were all captured by the Indians who thereby obtained a large amount of provisions and clothing.
Major Bruce, with the companies of Alcom, Rice, M.M. Williams and Abel George, came up with the enemy on the 25th of March. Major Bruce and Dr. Barkwell, the surgeon with a portion of Williams' company, were in advance of the main body, when the Indians fired upon them, killing two men and shooting down several horses. This small party dismounted and returned the fire, which they briskly kept up for more than half an hour; but the Indians, numbering over one hundred, still pressing them, they were compelled to fall back. When the main body of the volunteers came up, the Indians retired and the Whites took possession of the field. The Whites had three men killed, Privates Collins, Phillips and John McCarty, none wounded. The loss of the Indians was unknown, but was supposed to be much larger. Dr. Barkwell had his horse shot and captured, as well as all the instruments and medicines he had with him.
About the same time, Chief John
sent a band of warriors into the Umpqua valley for the purpose of stealing
horses and cattle, as it afterwards appeared. The number engaged in the
raid was about fifty, and was composed of those who were most familiar
with the country. They entered Camas valley, but, avoiding the settlements,
crossed over to the valley of Ollala, thence around the fortified camps
at Rice's, Willis' and McCullough's, stealing horses and mules and killing
cattle along their entire route. Their trail was first discovered on the
18th of March, by Lieutenant James Moore of Buoy's company, in the lower
end of Camas valley. Following the trail, he sent a messenger to Captain
Buoy, the larger portion of whose company was stationed at Fort McCullough.
Captain Buoy sent several detachments in various directions to intercept
them; but they all failed to come up with them until they found them on
the twenty-second in Camas valley, with their stolen stock with them. Here
the Indians attacked Fort Martindale, which was defended by ten men of
Buoy's company, who returned their fire very briskly. While a portion of
the Indians attacked the fort, the rest were engaged in driving off and
killing stock; and they also burned the houses of William P. Day and Adam
Day, a few miles from the fort. When the detachments of Captain Buoy's
company arrived, the Indians exchanged shots with them until the horses
and cattle had been started on the trail to the Meadows, when they retreated.
Captain Buoy himself having arrived, the pursuit of the Indians was commenced.
The company was divided, the Captain being in command of one party and
Lieutenant Moore of the other, with whom were several settlers, among them
being Robert Phipps, Bent Kent and others. When about four miles below
the valley, on the headwaters of the Coquille river, just after daybreak,
they heard the voices of the Indians in their camp, preparing to move.
Captain Buoy ordered Lieutenant Moore to proceed down the stream and charge
them, while he went to the left to turn their flank and cut off their retreat.
The Indians were unaware of the approach of the troops until fired upon
by the forces of Lieutenant Moore. They made a stand, however, until the
stolen stock was well on the trail, when they retreated with the loss of
several killed. Owing to Captain Buoy's ignorance of the topography of
the country, his movement to the left failed to cut off their retreat,
and the stock was driven to the Meadows. The troops had no one injured.
Major Reynolds, U.S. Army, having been reinforced slightly by General Wool, relieved the people at the mouth of Rogue river, and on the 25th of March went up Rogue river with one company to burn the lodges of the Tootootenais. In this he succeeded, but on his return was fired upon by the Indians from the brush. The Indians were charged, and driven from their position at the point of the bayonet, losing eight or ten killed, the troops having two privates wounded.
On the 1st of April, a company of volunteers from Port Orford, under Captain Creighton, who had been ordered to bring back some of the Coquille Indians who had left the Port Orford reservation to join the hostiles, came upon them near the mouth of the Coquille, and after a well-fought battle killed all but two (about twenty), and captured forty squaws and children.
The movement of the regular and volunteer troops from the coast, as well as the closing of their supplies from the east, by a circle of volunteers that was slowly but surely closing around them, induced Chief John to concentrate his forces in that country which he deemed inaccessible to civilized troops, lying about the Big Bend of Rogue river and including the mountainous and rocky region called the Big and Little Meadows. In this he was no doubt very much influenced by Enos, who was perfectly familiar with the plans of both the regulars and volunteers.
General Lamerick, having discovered by his scouts that the enemy were in front of him, determined on an advance, and issued orders to his troops accordingly. These are indicated in a letter to Governor Curry of the date of April 15, 1856, of which the following is a copy: "I have just returned form the Southern battalion. The spy company from that battalion had just got in and brought the intelligence that Old John's Indians had gone to the Meadows, their stronghold. I have ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman and Major Bruce to move with the entire strength of the battalion. They will leave to-morrow with tools and provisions sufficient to besiege the Indians in their fortress, if it should be necessary. The troops take with them twenty-five days' rations. I am happy to state that the troops are in fine health and under good discipline, a thing much to be desired. I am now making preparations to move with the Northern battalion the day after to-morrow, to meet the Southern battalion at the Meadows. The Southern battalion will go down on the south side of Rogue river. The Northern battalion will start from this place (Fort Leland) and march by way of Hungry hill and Whiskey creek. I will accompany this battalion myself. Everything seems to bid fair for a successful campaign. I have good reasons to believe that General Wool has issued orders to the United States troops not to act in concert with the volunteers. But the officers at Fort Lane told me they would, wherever they met me, most cordially co-operate with any volunteers that I had command of. There is now under command of Colonel Kelsay sixty men scouring the country from Hungry hill to the Meadows. There is also a detachment of thirty men under Captain Sheffield scouring the country from Hungry hill to the Big Bend of Cow creek."
On the 21st of April, the companies
of Captain Keith of Lane county, seventy-one men, and Captain Blakely of
Linn county, sixty-six men, which had been delayed for want of arms, arrived
at Roseburg. At this place they were met by an order from General Lamerick
to march at once to the Meadows by the way of Fort Martin in Camas valley.
They left early in the morning of the twenty-second. The Northern battalion
reached the Little Meadows without meeting the enemy in force; and the
Southern battalion reached Peavine Mountain, on the south side of the river
about twelve miles
above, without seeing any Indians. While in camp at the Little Meadows, the country in front was reconnoitered; and it was found that large numbers of Indians were camped in the brushy and rocky country below and at the Big Meadows on the north side of the river. Major Bruce was ordered to cross the river and join the rest of the command. A forward movement was then made to the Big Meadows; and it was found that the Indians had abandoned their stronghold. After several days spent in reconnoitering, it was discovered that the enemy had changed their headquarters to a bar on the south side of the river, about three miles below.
After consultation, it was determined to attack them on the twenty-seventh, Colonel Kelsay to attack in front, while Major Bruce was to cross the river about and cut off their retreat. Early in the morning, Colonel Kelsay, with about one hundred and fifty men of the Northern battalion, descended to the bank of the river opposite their camp, concealed by a heavy fog, and deploying his men opened a heavy fire. The Indians were taken completely by surprise, and in the confusion of moving the women and children, with their camp equipage, which the former carried on their backs, to a place of safety over the mountain, were unable for some time to return the fire. Major Bruce with his battalion, having for some reason been unable to cross the river, came down towards the bar and opened a cross fire upon the Indians, who had now taken refuge in the timber behind the bar. The firing was continued throughout the day; but, as there was no means of crossing the river, the victory was not as complete as it would otherwise have been. The loss of the Indians was at least fifty killed, that of the troops, one man of Wilkinson's company, Elias D. Mercer, mortally wounded, and John H. Clifton of Sheffield's company, wounded. The forces of the Indians was about five hundred.
The fight was recommenced on the twenty-eighth; but the Indians were exceedingly cautious, their object appearing to be only to prevent the troops crossing and to secure their retreat. On the twenty-ninth, having rigged boats, the whole regiment, except Major Massey's battalion, crossed the river and searched the whole country, but the enemy had left. As it rained and snowed incessantly, it was impossible to follow their trial; and on the thirtieth the troops recrossed the river and returned to the Big Meadows. The companies of Captains Keith and Blakely arrived on the ground in the evening of the twenty-eighth. On the 27th of April McDonough Harkness, a partner in the Grave Creek House, and Waggoner, whose wife and child were murdered in the October outbreak, were carrying dispatches to General Lamerick, when they were fired upon by the Indians at Whiskey creek. Waggoner escaped with several bullet holes in his clothes; but Harkness was shot off his horse and horribly mutilated while still alive.
General Lamerick finding no further use for the large force under his command, after leaving Major Bruce in charge of constructing a fort at the Big Meadows, ordered the remainder of the troops back to the road where it would be much easier to obtain supplies, the Northern battalion by the way of Camas valley and the Southern to Fort Leland. The troops left with Major Bruce consisted of the companies of Captains Blakely, Keith, Barnes, Bledsoe and Noland, in all over two hundred effective men. The fort, which was named in honor of General Lamerick, was admirably situated for the purpose for which it was intended, and being so strongly garrison effectually prevented the Indians form escaping to the eastward.
General Wool, who seems to have
had a great an antipathy to the volunteers as a bull to a red flag, formed
a plan by which the Indians warriors of Southern Oregon were
to be easily captured by the regular troops alone. The execution of the plan was confided to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Buchanan, Fourth Infantry, and consisted in concentrating his forces at the Big Bend of Rogue river and marching upon their stronghold at the Meadows, when the war would be at an end. The forces at his command for this purpose were two companies at Crescent City under Captain Ord and Lieutenant Jones, two companies at Port Orford under Major Reynolds and Captain Augur, lately arrived from Fort Vancouver, and a part of two companies at Fort Lane under Captain Smith, a portion of which only were available for the field, since a large number were required to garrison the different posts.
Captain Smith moved as soon as the orders were received. In his official report he says: "I then immediately organized a detachment of one hundred men from Companies C, First Dragoons, and E, Fourth Infantry, with Assistant Surgeon Crane and Lieutenant Sweitzer, and left Fort Lane on the 14th of March and proceeded to Vannoy's ferry on Rogue river, where I was to procure guides. It was my intention to follow from this point the trail I made from the coast to Rogue river valley in the summer of 1853, but was assured by my guide and many persons of experience in the mountains of the impracticability of that route so early in the season. I could find no person that would consent to guide us through on the north side of Rogue river, and, from my own knowledge of that country, believe it to be an impracticable trail for a command with any considerable number of animals. On the morning of the sixteenth, we left Rogue river and crossed over to the waters of Illinois and followed that stream down to its mouth. During the whole distance we found quite a good trail, with abundance of grass and water, at intervals from three to ten miles. I believe this will be found the most, if not the only, practicable trail from Port Orford to Upper Rogue river valley.
"As we were descending a ridge
near the mouth of Illinois river on the 24th of March, as we had anticipated,
the headquarters of the district Indians were discovered on the flat below.
Leaving the pack train in charge of Lieutenant Sweitzer, with Company E,
I moved rapidly forward with the advance guard and my company, through
thick brush and timber to the point that makes out at the junction of the
rivers, and found, from the appearance of their ranches, that the Indians
had made a precipitate retreat. Some canoes with Indians were seen moving
rapidly down the stream; and we opened a brisk fire upon them, which caused
many to take to the water and other to gain the bank, with the canoes,
as soon as possible. Judging from their actions, several of the Indians
must have been hit, although they were distant some three hundred yards.
While we were occupying this exposed point, several shots were fired at
us from across Illinois river by Indians concealed in the thick brush and
timber on the side of the mountain, wounding one private of Company
E in the neck. We instantly returned the fire and maintained the point,
when the howitzer was ordered down and two shells fired at points the Indians
were supposed to occupy. In their ranches we found a variety of articles
of which we took possession, and a large supply of eels and other fish,
which were burnt with the ranches. The rapidity of the current, depth of
the stream, and want of proper means, precluded the possibility of our
gaining the opposite bank. One or more Indians were killed on the mountain
side. On returning to the pack train then in camp, I was informed that
Indians had been seen above the camp on the same side of the river. I immediately
ordered out Lieutenant Sweitzer with Company E, who soon met the Indians
within a short distance of camp, charged
them and drove them back. It was not known positively that any were killed or wounded. One private of Company E, Fourth Infantry, was wounded in the left cheek.
"I remained in camp during the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth, hoping to hear from Colonel Buchanan, and moved on the twenty-seventh to Oak Flat, some four miles above the mouth of the Illinois river, in order to send back on our trail to search for some stores that had been lost. We left Oak Flat camp on the twenty-ninth, and proceeded to opposite the lower end of Big Bend, where we failed in effecting a crossing, and then proceeded to the upper end of the Bend, where we constructed a canvas boat and attempted to cross it with ropes, but found the current so rapid that we were foiled, with the loss of some twenty lash-ropes. I then had oars made, and we succeeded in crossing everything in about five hours on the 1st of April. On the afternoon of the 31st of March, three Indians were seen on the north side of the river, who succeeded in making their way down a bushy ravine to within about two hundred yards of where we were at work constructing the boat, and fired at us, but did no harm. One Indian was shot. A shell was fired across the river, and several men sent over; but the Indians had disappeared. Several Indians made their appearance near camp as the rear guard were about leaving it, but kept at a respectful distance until all had been crossed. The boat was stripped of its covering; and the baggage was removed some two hundred yards from the river. While we were packing up, the Indian approached the bank and fired several shots, wounding slightly one mule. On the night of the 1st of April, we encamped at the Big Bend, on the north side of Rogue river. Having no provisions on hand but a little fresh beef, I deemed it prudent to march toward the coast, and left camp on the morning of the second, with the expectation of taking the trail that comes in at the head of bushy creek, but was taken over the Iron Spring and Bald Mountain route, impracticable for want of grass, and arrived at this post (Port Orford) late in the evening of the 5th of April. We had four days' hard rain and dense fog in the mountains, and left two mules between this place and Iron Springs, given out."
The failure of Colonel Buchanan to meet Captain Smith at Oak, Flat, with all his forces, as agreed upon, came very near being a fatal mistake. It will be seen by a comparison of the dates given in the reports of General Lamerick and Captain Smith, that if the volunteers had not attacked the Indians at the time they did, nothing could have prevented the total annihilation of the command of Captain Smith in the narrow cañon of Illinois river, by the overwhelming force of the Indians then in the field. On the 13th of March, Captain Augur, with his company marched for Port Orford to the place of rendezvous at Oak Flat; but, upon reaching the mouth of the Illinois river, he was met by the Indians, who, being fired upon, returned the fire; and a sharp skirmish ensued, in which five Indians were killed, the troops suffering no loss. After waiting a short time, and finding that Colonel Buchanan did not arrive, he marched back to the mouth of Rogue river. Upon moving away, the Indians entered his camp, while he was yet in sight, and fired off their guns in token of victory, and continued to follow the troops the whole day.
Colonel Buchanan at Crescent
City was taking matters much more leisurely. Captain Abbott with a company
of forty volunteers, authorized by the governor of California, becoming
impatient at the delay, started up the coast and met the Indians at chetco
river, where he engaged them the whole day, but was forced to take refuge
behind logs upon the beach. The next day the regulars under the command
of Captain Ord and Lieutenant Jones, numbering one hundred and twelve,
came to his relief; and the savages
were driven back. Two days were spent in punishing these Indians, which was effectually done, and their village destroyed. On the 20th of March, Colonel Buchanan with his regulars, arrived at the mouth of Rogue river. About the time of his arrival, General Palmer, the superintendent of Indian affairs, arrived at Port Orford; and the brilliant military coup of Colonel Buchanan was never afterwards heard of. Palmer's diplomacy superseded powder and lead. The volunteers were still watchful and active, believing that the Indians would only surrender at the last extremity. On the 21st of April, Captain Bledow, of the Port Orford volunteers, starting up Rogue river with a scouting party of eleven men, and encamped that night with Captain Smith and his regulars. Early the next morning, he quietly withdrew from the camp and took a position at Lobster creek, a mile and a half below. At sunrise two canoes, containing twelve warriors and three squaws, were seen approaching their place of concealment. When within a short distance of Captain Bledsoe's command, the latter opened a murderous fire upon them, killing eleven bucks and one squaw. The Indians were all armed with guns, which were lost by the capsizing of the canoes. As the Indians were in force near by, Captain Bledsoe's command returned to his camp on the twenty-third.
Captain Bledsoe says in his report of that date: "The regulars are yet here, but inactive. All their officers, or nearly so, are desirous that my command should accompany them when they take up their line of march to the mountains, with the exception of Colonel Buchanan, who is chief in command, and who steadily refuses to co-operate with the volunteers. We are therefore thrown upon our own resources, but intend to occupy all the vantage ground possible. From appearances, I am inclined to believe the enemy are becoming disheartened." Captain Bledsoe reported from Port Orford May 23d: "I have just returned from a trip south with success, having captured twenty Indians, who were delivered by me to the Indian agent. the coast Indians are evidently becoming disheartened, and would make peace almost on any terms. general Palmer, Indian Superintendent, and Sub-agent Olney, left this morning for the headquarters of Colonel Buchanan's command, who are encamped at or near the Big Bend of Rogue river. It is evidently the intention to conclude peace with them upon such terms as will give satisfaction to all concerned."
Colonel Buchanan at last moved to Oak Flat, having previously sent messengers to all the chiefs to meet him at that point. On the 23d of May, two months later than the time he appointed to meet Captain Smith at the same place, he arrived there with all of his command except the company of Captain Ord, which had been sent to escort a provision train from Port Orford. He was met by nearly all the hostile chiefs and many of their warriors, the most of whom, especially the coast tribes, were willing to make peace on any terms; but Chief John, while willing to make peace, refused to give up his arms or leave his country. The arrangement finally made was that the Upper Rogue river Indians should in four days surrender to Captain Smith at the Meadows, and be escorted by him to the reservation by the way of Fort Lane; while the coast and Lower Rogue river tribes were to assemble at the coast, and at a point on the river about six miles below the mouth of Illinois river. Affairs being thus settled, Major Reynolds was sent to meet Captain Ord and the pack train; Captain Augur was ordered to the point below the bend, and Captain Smith to the Big Bend. The result of the mission of the latter, we give in the words of his official report to Colonel Buchanan"
"I have the honor to report that,
in obedience to special order No. 27, I left Oak Camp on the Illinois river
on the morning of the 24th of May, with my Company C, a
detachment of Company E, Fourth Infantry, under command of Lieutenant Sweitzer, First Dragoons, and Assistant Surgeon Chas. H. Crane, to proceed to this point (Big Bend) for the purpose of receiving George's and Limpy's bands and such other hostile Indians as might wish to surrender themselves for the purpose of being removed to the new or coast reservation. Taking the trail down Illinois to near its mouth, I ascended on the south side of Rogue river to a point two miles from this camp, where my command was crossed over and the march continued to the Big Bend, which was reached about dark on the first day. The following day, the twenty-fifth, being rainy and disagreeable, the Indians did not come in according to promise, and made the excuse, which of itself was plausible enough. Early in the day of the twenty-sixth, several Indians came into camp and stated that George was some nine miles above us on the river, endeavoring to make his way down with all his people, including the Applegate, Gallice creek and Cow creek bands, and, if not prevented by Old John and the Klamaths, would reach my camp that day.
"Late in the afternoon I was informed, by some Indian boys that had been in my camp for several days, that it was the talk among the Indians that Old John was to attack us early next morning, with all the Indians he could muster, on the north side of our camp, the lower river Indians to attack on the south side. Our position being an insecure one, I determined at once the change camp, and sent Lieutenant Sweitzer to examine an adjacent hill with a view of occupying it, if found suitable. His report being favorable, I moved camp after dark, having to transport my howitzer, ammunition, stores, etc., on the backs of my men. Early on the morning of the twenty-seventh, several Indians came into camp, some of them George's people, and told me the Indians were coming in. I soon saw a number of canoes land; and small parties were moving up the hill, all apparently friendly, though being armed. i would not permit them to enter camp. Up to ten o'clock in the day their numbers were increasing; and, as soon as I ascertained that many of John's people were among them, I placed my whole command under arms, not suspecting up to this time their treachery. I increased my sentinels on the left brow of the hill, which is steep and covered with timber and heavy brush, with orders not to fire the first gun. By this time they had entirely surrounded the hill; and their movements seemed hostile.
"The Indians fired the first
gun about eleven o'clock; and a large body of them were seen moving up
the northern slope of the hill. As they appeared above the crest, they
were met by a discharge of canister from the howitzer, followed by a charge
of the men occupying that portion of the hill, which drove them out of
sight into the thick brush. At the same time they attempted to charge the
hill on the left and center, but were gallantly met by Lieutenant Sweitzer,
who had charged on the southern slope of the hill. The Indians then took
a position on a ridge to our left and the slope leading up to our camp,
from which they opened a cross fire on the men in position on that flank,
and succeeded in wounding so many in the course of two hours that I had
to withdraw some ten or twelve yards from the crest of the hill, from which
position a continuous fire was kept up during the day, and charges made
at different times that forced the Indians to retire. At the close of the
day, we had four men killed and fifteen wounded besides my guide and an
Indian boy, servant to Lieutenant Sweitzer. The Indians kept up their fire
until after dark, and occasionally through the night. About eleven o'clock
at night, Lieutenant Sweitzer, with all the men that could be spared, commenced
a breastwork on the southern part of the hill, composed of blankets, saddles,
tents, provisions, etc., and
with the aid of one shovel so far completed it by daylight as to form a tolerable protection for our wounded and a small portion of the command. On the outside of this work, I had dug a number of rifle pits to contain from two to five men each, and which were found to answer the desired purpose. As soon as the Indians discovered our movements, they raised signal fires, and by four o'clock in the morning of the twenty-eighth renewed the attack, which they kept up by a brisk fire until four P.M., making several attempts during the day to charge us en masse.
"Captain Augur, with his Company G, Fourth Infantry, arrived about four P.M. on the afternoon of the 28th, and, seeing the Indians in our front and right, gallantly charged them and put them to flight. Had he known our relative position, his movements could not have been bettered, as they cut the Indians from their cañons, and from a retreat across the river. At the same time I ordered Lieutenant Sweitzer, with the detachment of Company E, to charge the Indians then occupying the hills in our front and ridges to the left, which was handsomely done; and on his return he was ordered to join Captain Augur. From eleven A.M. on the 27th to four P.M. on the twenty-eighth, my men were all actively employed, and behaved most creditably. Dr. Crane, in addition to his arduous duties to the wounded, when not engaged professionally, was always found with rifle in hand to render me what aid I might require. It is well known that during the first day a number of Indians were either killed or wounded; but it is impossible to state with any degree of accuracy the number, as they were instantly dragged from the field. The casualties were: Killed, nine privates; wounded, twelve." Captain Augur lost two privates killed and three wounded.
At the same time, the volunteers were not idle. Major Latshaw, who assumed command at Fort Lamerick on May 24th, in place of Major Bruce, detached on other service, left the post on the 27th of May with the companies of Captains Keith, Blakely and Noland, and detachments from the companies of Captains Robinson and Wallan, under Lieutenants McClure and Phillips, and Captain Barnes' spy company, in all one hundred and thirteen men. The following report was written by one of the officers of the command:
"On the first day we marched
five miles, and camped on the river. Soon after we camped, Captain Barnes
discovered the enemy in considerable force; and, at two o'clock on the
next morning, thirty men under Captain Blakely took a position where they
could watch the movements of the enemy, while the remainder of the command,
under Major Latshaw, moved early in the morning down the river to attack
them. By some means, they discovered our movements and were on the move
when we broke in upon their ranches. A small party under Lieutenant Hawley
discovered a party whilst attempting to make their escape, and fired upon
them, killing three. About the same time, a party of them were fired upon
further down the river by Captain Blakely's detachment. A running fight
then ensued, which lasted all day, about four miles down the river. During
the day, five or six Indians were killed and fifteen taken prisoners. On
the twenty-ninth, a party of ten men crossed the river to examine the country,
when the Indians discovered them and sent a strong party to cut off their
retreat, and fired upon our forces across the river. Captain Keith with
his company, and Captain Noland with a portion of his, crossed the river
under the fire of the enemy and charged upon them where they had taken
position in the bushes and among rocks. The fight did not continue more
than half an hour, when our forces completely routed
them. There were two Indians killed and one wounded in the charge. H.C. Huston, Sergeant of Keith's company, was severely wounded in the thigh at the first fire across the river.
"one the morning of the thirtieth, skirmishing commenced across the river by a small party of our men and scattered party of Indians. Mr. Cooley, of Captain Wallan's company, was shot through the hand and thigh. the firing ceased about noon. During the three days, we had broken a great many canoes, destroyed a vast amount of their provisions, and taken a great deal of trumpery which we found in their caches along the river, besides some gold dust, arms, etc., which they had not had time to take along with them. On the afternoon of the thirtieth, Major Latshaw, leaving Lieutenant Hawley with fifty men to erect a hospital and temporary fortification for the sick and wounded, with the remainder of his command marched down the river, and on the thirty-first found Colonel Buchanan, with a force of about four hundred regular troops, encamped near the mouth of Illinois river. From General Palmer, who was also there, we learned that the bands of Indians which we fell in with on the twenty-eighth were those of Limpy and George, and that they had made a precipitous retreat to his camp, delivered up their arms and called for quarter. They stated to him that the "Bostons" were coming down upon them, and that they never had seen so many muskets before, - that the river and hills were literally alive with them. Major Latshaw turned over to General Palmer twenty-one squaws and children that he had taken prisoners."
This last attack finished the war. It is true that there were some skirmishing required to bring all the coast Indians in; but the decree had gone forth. On the 29th of June, the last of the Southern Oregon Indians, Chief John, had surrendered, and was taken from Port Orford by sea to the coast reservation by the way of Portland.
In giving the history of this
conflict, many interesting events have doubtless been omitted, since they
occurred over a large expanse of country and followed in rapid succession;
and many acts of heroism and suffering were not recorded, as well as many
that were never known. But sufficient has been written to prove that the
pioneers of Southern Oregon fairly earned the homes which the government
of the United States so graciously tendered them.