USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II, 1848-1888 > Part 39
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Toward the middle of the month Bruce's command had a fight with one hundred natives on a branch of Applegate Creek, the latter retreating with four killed. And thus the winter wore away, a dozen bands each of white men and red, roaming up and down the country, each robbing and burning, and killing as best they were able, and all together accomplishing no great results, except seriously to interfere with traffic and travel. Exasperated by a condition so ruinous, the desire to exterminate the savages grew with the inability to achieve it. Such was the nature of the conflict in which, so far, there had been neither glory mor success, either to the arms of the regular or vol- unteer service; nor any prospect of an end for years to come, the savages being apparently omnipresent, with the gift of invisibility. They refused to hold any communication with the troops, who sought some- times an opportunity to reason with them.
The men composing the northern battalion having no further interest in the war than at first to gratify an evanescent sympathy, or a love of adventure, were becoming impatient of so arduous and unprofitable a service, and so demanded and received their dis- charge. General Wool was then petitioned for aid, and he immediately despatched two companies under Colonel Buchanan. In the mean time the legislative assembly had elected J. K. Lamerick brigadier-gen-
40 Dowell's Or. Ind. Wars, MS., ii. 19; Lane's Autobiography, MS., 107; Brown's Autobiography, MS., 40-1.
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eral of Oregon territory; and in conformity with a proclamation of the executive, he issued a call for four companies of mounted volunteers to supply the place of the northern battalion,41 who were ordered to report to Lieutenant-colonel Martin at Roseburg. These companies were enrolled more rapidly than might have been anticipated, after the tedious and fruitless nature of the war had become known. 42
Captain Buoy's company remained in the field un- der the command of its former 2d lieutenant, P. C. Noland, now its captain. The southern companies were recruited, and kept the field; so that after a month of suspense, during which many of the inhab- itants who up to this time had remained at their homesteads unwilling to abandon all their property, left their elaims and removed to the Willamette Val- ley, or shut themselves up in fortified houses to await a turn in events. That turn it was hoped General Lamerick, being a good democrat and an experienced Indian-fighter, would be able to give, when spring made it possible to pursue the Indians into the mountains. It has been said that Williams was in- competent; but Lamerick was not guiltless of a blun- der in ordering all the new companies concentrated in the Umpqua Valley; and the headquarters of the southern companies changed from Vannoy Ferry to Forest Dale, a place not in the line of the hostile ineursions. Taking advantage of this disposition of the forces, Limpy, one of the hostile chiefs, with a party of thirty warriors, made a visit to Fort Lanc, bearing a flag of truce; the object of the visit being to negotiate for the release of some of the women held as prisoners at the fort.
" The enrolling officers appointed by Lamerick were Wm H. Latshaw, A. W. Patterson, Nat. H. Lane, Danicl Barnes, James A. Porter, for com- panies to be drawn from Lane, Benton, Douglas, and Linn counties. Or. Statesman, Feb. 12, 1856.
42 Wm H. Latshaw was elected capt. of the Lane county co .; John Kel- sey of the Benton county co .; and Daniel Barnes of the Douglas county co. Or. Statesman, Feb. 19, 1856 Of the co. of 50 raised at Deer Creek (Rose- burg) in February, Edward Sheffield was elected capt .; S. H. Blunton Ist lieut; Elias Capran 2d lieut. Id.
391
THE COAST TRIBES.
Following the outbreak in October, the agents on the coast, at Port Orford, the mouth of Rogue River, and the mouth of the Umpqua, used many precau- tions to prevent the Indians in their charge from be- coming infected with the hostile spirit of their breth- ren of the interior. The superintendent sent his agents a circular containing regulations and precau- tions, among which was the collecting of the Indians on the several temporary reserves, and compelling them to answer to roll-call.
The agent in charge of the Indians below Coos Bay was Ben Wright, a man admired and feared by them. Learning that overtures had been made to the Co- quilles and other coast tribes to join the hostile bands, Wright hastened to visit those under his charge, who lived up about the head waters of the several small rivers emptying into the ocean between the mouth of the Rogue and the Coquille rivers. He found, as he expected, emissaries of the hostile bands among these on the lower Rogue River, who, though insolent, took their departure when threatened with arrest; and he was able, as he supposed, to put a stop to further ne- gotiations with the enemy, the Indians promising to follow his advice.
On returning to the mouth of the river, he found the people alarmed by rumors of anticipated trouble with the Coquilles, and again hastened to arrest any mis- chief that might be brewing in that quarter. He found these Indians quiet, and expressing great friendship, but much in fear of an attack from the settlers of the Umpqua Valley, who they had been told were coming to kill them all. Their uneasiness appeared to be in- creased by discovering in their neighborhood a large camp of the families, women and children, of the hos- tile bands, with a few men to guard them, knowing that such a circumstance would be liable to be con- strued against them. They were promised an agent to remain with them and ward off trouble until the excitement should have abated.
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FURTHER INDIAN WARS.
Returning to the coast, Wright fell in with a party of armed men from Coos Bay going toward the Ind- ian camp with the determination to destroy it. To these men he represented that the Coquilles were friendly, and returned with them to their camp, where he succeeded in convincing each that neither had any occasion to fear the other; and appointing one of their number sub-agent on the spot, again returned to the coast with the others. At Randolph he found the settlers greatly excited by the news from the interior. Having concealed their portable property, they were removing to Port Orford for safety. At the mouth of Rogue River defences had been built, and in their wrath the white men were threatening to kill or dis- arm all the Indians in the vicinity. A few cool and reflecting minds were able, however, to maintain a more prudent as well as humane policy, the excite- ment on both sides seemed gradually to abate,43 and Wright believed that with the assistance of the troops at Port Orford he should be able to preserve the peace and secure the public good.
About the middle of November Agent E. P. Drew, who had in charge the Coos Bay and Umpqua Ind- ians, became convinced that the former were in com- munication with those at war, and hastily collecting the Umpquas on the reservation at the mouth of the river, and placing over them a local agent, went to Coos Bay. At Empire City he found congregated the settlers from the upper Coquille and Coos rivers, in anticipation of an outbreak. A company was formed and the savages attacked at Drolley's, on the lower branch of the Coquille, four being killed, and four captured and hanged. There were few troops at Port Orford when the war broke out, and these would have been removed to the north on the call of Major
48 Collector Dunbar at Port Orford wrote to Palmer that there was no doubt that Wright could maintain peace in his district. 'Ben is on the jump day and night. I never saw in my life a more energetic agent of the pub.ic. His plans are all good, there can be no doubt of it.' U. S. II. Ex. Doc., 93, 127-9, 34th coug. Ist sess.
393
MASSACRE AT WHALESHEAD.
Raines had not Wright represented so powerfully to Major Reynolds, who came to take them away, the defenceless condition of the settlements in that event, that Reynolds was induced to remain. Still feeling their insecurity, the white inhabitants of Whaleshead, near the mouth of Rogue River, as I have mentioned, erected a rude fort upon an elevated prairie on the north bank of that stream. A company of volun- teers was also organized, which had its encampment at the big bend of Rogue River during the winter; but on the proclamation of the governor in February, calling for new companies to reorganize, the 1st regi- ment of Oregon Mounted Volunteers had moved down near the settlement in order to fill up its ranks to the standard fixed by the proclamation, of sixty privates and eleven officers.
The conduct of the Indians under Wright had been so good since the punishment of the Coquilles in the early part of the winter that no apprehensions were felt beyond the dread that the fighting bands might some time make a descent upon them; and for this the volunteers had been duly watchful. But what so subtle as savage hate? On the night of the 22d of February a dancing-party was given at Whales- head in honor of the day, and part of the volunteer company was in attendance, leaving but a few men to guard the camp. Early on the morning of the 23d, before the dancers had returned, the guard was attacked by a large body of Indians, who fell upon them with such suddenness and fury that but two out of fifteen escaped. One, Charles Foster, con- cealed himself in the woods, where he remained an undiscovered witness of much that transpired, and was able to identify the Indians engaged in the mas- sacre, who were thus found to be those that lived about the settlement and were professedly friendly.
While the slaughter was going on at the volunteer camp some Indians from the native village on the south side of the river crossed over, and going to the
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FURTHER INDIAN WARS.
house of J. McGuire, where Wright had his lodgings, reported to him that a certain half-breed named Enos," notoriously a bad man, was at the village, and they wished the agent to arrest him, as he was making trouble with the Tootootonies. Without the slight- est suspicion of treachery, Wright, with Captain Po- land of the volunteers, crossed the river to look into the matter, when both were seized and killed.45 The bodies were then so mutilated that they could not be recognized.
The death of Wright is a sad commentary on these sad times. He was a genial gentleman, honest, frank, brave, the friend and protector of those who slew him. It is a sad commentary on the ingratitude of man, who in his earlier and lower estate seems fitted to be ruled by fear rather than by love. During these troublous times in southern Oregon, I am satisfied that the United States government endeavored to do its best in pursuing a moderate and humane policy; and it was singularly fortunate about this time in having as a rule conscientious and humane men in this quarter, determined at the peril of their lives to defend their charge from the fury of the settlers and miners, who were exasperated beyond endurance by having their houses burned and their wives and chil- dren captured or slain. And to none is the tribute of praise more justly due than to Benjamin Wright, who died at his post doing his duty.
" This half-breed Enos was formerly one of Frémont's guides, and is spoken of by Frémont as a very brave and daring Indian. Corr. Or. Statesman, March 11, 1856; Indian Aff. Rept., 1856, p. 201-2; Crescent City Herald Extra, Feb. 25, 1856. He was hanged at Fort Orford in 1857, for his part in the massacre. Or. Statesman, March 31, 1857; Tichenor's Historical Correspond- ence, MS.
45 Parrish, Or. Anecdotes, MS., 81-3, says that Wright was at a dance in a log cabin on Rogue River, about Christmas 1854! and that with others he was killed for his treatment of the women. Dunbar and Nash state that the agent kept a native woman, Chetcoe Jennie, who aeted as interpreter, and drew from the government $500 a year for that service, and who betrayed him to his death, and afterward ate a piece of his heart. Dowell's Or. Ind. Wars, MS., ii. 27; Ind. Aff. Rept., 1856, 201-2; Qr. Statesman, March 11, 1856; Crescent City Herald, Feb. 26, 1856; U. S. H. Ex. Doc., 39, p. 47-8, 35th cong. 1st sess.
395
EFFORTS FOR RELIEF.
Nor did this horrible and dastardly work end here. Every farmer in the vicinity of Whaleshead was killed, every house burned but one, and every kind of prop- erty destroyed. The more distant who escaped the massacre, to the number of 130, fled to the fort, but being poorly armed, might still have fallen a prey to the savages, had they not with their customary want of persistence, drawn off after the first day's bloody work. At nightfall on the 23d a boat was despatched to Port Orford to inform Major Reynolds of the fate of the settlement. But Reynolds could not go to the relief of Whaleshead without leaving exposed Port Orford, that place containing at this period but fifty adult male citizens and thirty soldiers. A whale-boat was, however, despatched for the purpose of keeping open communication with the besieged; but in attempt- ing to land, the boat was swamped in the surf, and the men in it, six in number, were drowned, their bodies being seized by the savages and cut in pieces. Cap- tain Tichenor with his schooner Nelly went to bring off the people of Whaleshead, but was prevented by contrary winds from approaching the shore. On the morning of the 24th the schooner Gold Beach, left Crescent City with a volunteer company, whose design was to attack the Indians. They, too, were prevented from landing, and except at the fort the silence of death covered the whole country.
When the facts of the outbreak came to light, it was ascertained that the Indians attacked no less than seven different points within ten or twelve hours, and within a distance of ten miles down the coast on the south side of Rogue River, and also that a general fresh uprising occurred at the same time in other localities. 46
46 The persons killed in the first attack were Benjamin Wright, John Poland, John Idles, Henry Lawrence, Patrick McCullough, George McClusky, Barney Castle, Guy C. Holcomb, Joseph Wilkinson, Joseph Wagner, E. W. Howe, J. H. Braun, Martin Reed, George Reed, Lorenzo Warner, Samuel Hendrick, Nelson Seaman, W. R. Tulles, Joseph Seroc and two sons, John Geisell and four children, Mrs Geisell and three daughters being taken pris- oners; and subsequently to the first attack, Henry Bullen, L. W. Oliver,
396
FURTHER INDIAN WARS.
Those who took refuge in the fort were kept besieged for thirty-one days, when they were rescued by the two companies under Colonel Buchanan sent by General Wool, as before mentioned. A few days after the arrival of the troops a schooner from Port Orford effected a landing, and the women and chil- dren at the fort were sent to that place, while Buchanan commenced operations against the Indians, as I shall presently relate more in detail.
Daniel Richardson, George Trickey and Adolf Schmoldt-in all thirty-one. Warner was from Livonia, N. Y., Seaman from Cedarville, N. Y. The drowned were H. C. Gerow, a merchant of Port Orford, and formerly of N. Y .; John O'Brien, miner; Sylvester Long, farmer; William Thompson and Richard Gay, boatmen; and Felix McCuc. Letter of James C. Franklin, in Or. Statesman, March 18, 1856; Crescent City Herald, Feb. 25 and May 21, 1856; Corr. Coos Bay Mail; Dowell's Or. Ind. Wars, MS., ii. 27; Or. Argus, March 8, 1856; Or. Statesman, April 29, May 13 and 20, 1856; S. F. Alta, March 4, 1856; S. F. Bulletin, March 12, 1836; Cong. Globe, 1853-6, pt i., 780, 34th cong. Ist sess .; Sac. Union, March 1, 1856.
CHAPTER XVI.
EXTERMINATION OF THE INDIANS.
1856-1857.
GRAND ROND MILITARY POST AND RESERVATION-DRIVING IN AND CAG- ING THE WILD MEN-MORE SOLDIERS REQUIRED-OTHER BATTAL- IONS-DOWN UPON THE RED MEN-THE SPRING CAMPAIGN-AFFAIRS ALONG THE RIVER-HUMANITY OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICERS AND AGENTS-STUBBORN BRAVERY OF CHIEF JOHN-COUNCILS AND SURREN- DERS-BATTLE OF THE MEADOWS-SMITH'S TACTICS-CONTINUED SKIR- MISHING-GIVING-UP AND COMING-IN OF THE INDIANS.
WHEN Superintendent Palmer determined to re- move from the Rogue River and Umpqua reserva- tions the Indians who had observed the treaties, to an encampment in the small and beautiful valley on the western border of Yamhill and Polk counties, known as the Grand Rond, so great was the anger and op- position of the white people of the Willamette in thus having these savages brought to their door, so loud their threats against both Indians and agents, that it was deemed prudent to ask General Wool for an escort and guard. Palmer wrote Wool that he believed the war was to be attributed wholly to the acts of the white population, and that he felt it his duty to adopt such measures as would insure the safety of the Indians, and enable him to maintain treaty stipulations,1 recommending the establishment
1 'The future will prove,' said Palmer, 'that this war has been forced upon those Indians against their will, and that, too, by a set of reckless vagabonds, tor pecuniary and political objects, and sanctioned by a numerous population who regard the treasury of the United States a legitimate subject of plun- der.' U. S. II. Ex. Doc., 93, 24, 34th cong. Ist sess. See also Dowell's Let- ters, MIS., 42. Dowell takes a different view.
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EXTERMINATION OF THE INDIANS.
of a military post, and asking that a competent officer be directed to assist him in locating the proposed en- campment, and making the improvements designed for the benefit of the Indians. Having once con- ceived the idea of removing the Indians from the southern reservations, Palmer was not to be deterred either by the protests of the people or the disappro- bation of the legislative assembly .?
About the last of January 300 Umpquas and 200 Calapooyas were brought from the south and placed upon the Grand Rond reservation. As these bands liad not been engaged in the recent hostilities, the feeling of alarm was somewhat softened, and much as their presence in the valley was deprecated, they were suffered to go upon the reserve without moles- tation, although no troops were present to intimidate the people.3 At the same time Palmier gave notice that he intended to carry out his first design of re- moving all the other tribes whenever the necessary preparations had been made for their reception;4 a
2 During the debate over Palmer's course in the legislature, Waymire ac- cused l'almer of being the cause of the war, and willing to bring about a collision between the United States troops and the citizens of the Willamette valley. 'Not only that, .. . but he actually proposes to bring 4,000 savages, red from the war, and plant them in one of the counties of this valley, with a savage and barbarous foe already upon its borders. "I will do it," said he, "and if you resist me, I will call upon General Wool for soldiers to shoot down the citizens."' Or. Statesman, Jan. 15, 1856. And on the hesitation of Colonel Wright, who was first applied to to furnish it without the sanction of General Wool, then in California, Palmer thus wrote Commissioner Man- nypenny: 'To be denied the aid of troops at a critical moment, upon flimsy pretences or technical objections, is to encourage a spirit of resistance to au- thority and good order, and effectively neutralize all efforts to reduce the Indians and lawless whites to a state of subordination.' U. S. II. Ex. Doc., 93, 131-2, 34th cong. Ist sess.
3 The Indians were moved in a heavy storm of rain and snow, Capt. Buoy of the northern battalion with 20 men being ordered to escort Metcalfe and his charge. At Elk Creek the Indians were seized with a panie on account of rumors of the removal of Palmer from the superintendency, and refused to go farther. Palmer called upon Colonel Wright for troops, and was referred, as I have said, to General Wool, when, without waiting, Metcalfe proceeded alone to the reservation, having quieted the fears of the Indians.
" The opposition of the white population was not all that was to be over- come, as Palmer had been warned by his agents. Iu order to induce the Umpqnas to leave their homes, it was agreed by treaty that each Indian should be given as much land as he had occupied in the Uinpqua Valley, with a house as good or better than the one he left, with pay for all the property abandoned, and clothing and rations for himself and family until all were
399
MORE TROOPS CALLED FOR.
promise which was partly carried out in March by the removal of the Rogue River Indians from Fort Lane to the Grand Rond, none of that resistance being offered which had been feared. Preparations were then made for bringing all the tribes from Coos Bay south to the California line upon the coast reser- vation selected in 1854. The legislature had asked for the removal of the superintendent on this ground ;5 though in reality it was a political dodge; and his removal was accomplished before he had fairly fin- ished the work in hand."
Immediately after the massacre of Whaleshead Governor Curry issued still another proclamation, calling for another battalion for service in the south.7 The governor also sought to modify his error in disband- ing all unauthorized companies, by advising the organ- ization in all exposed localities of new companies of minute-men, the captains of which were ordered to re- port to the adjutant-general, and recognizing those al- ready formed as belonging to this branch of the service.
settled in their new homes; nor were any of these things to be deducted from their annuities. Grande Ronde reservation contained about 6,000 acres, and was purchased of the original claimants for $35,000. Letter of citizens of Yamhill county, in Or. Statesman, April 29, 1856.
5 ' We the undersigned, democratic members,' etc. Then followed charges that Joel Palmer had been instrumental in provoking the Indian war; and what was more to the point, 'while representing himself as a sound national democrat, he had perfidiously joined the know-nothings, binding himself with oaths to that dark and hellish secret political order." They asked for these reasons that Palmer be removed and Edward R. Geary appointed in his place. Signed by the speaker of the house and 34 members of the house and coun- cil. U. S. II. Ex. Doc., 93, 133-5, 34th cong. Ist sess.
6 E. R. Geary was not his successor, but A. F. Hedges, an immigrant of 1843.
" There was at this time a regiment in the Walla Walla Valley, and one in southern Oregon, besides several companies of minute-men for defence. The proclamation called for three new companies, one from Marion and Polk countics, one from Benton and Lane, and one from Linn. The enrolling offi- cers appointed for the first named were A. M. Fellows and Fred. Waymire; for the other two E. L. Massey and H. L. Brown. Waymire wrote the gov- ernor that Polk co. had sent over 100 men to the Walla Walla Valley, 76 to Rogue River, 22 to fill up a Washington regiment; that Polk co. was willing to go and fight, but since the importation of southern Indians to their border they felt too insecure at home to leave, and solicited permission from the executive to raise a company for defence against the Indians hrought to their doors. Or. Statesman, April 1, 1836.
400
EXTERMINATION OF THE INDIANS.
Under the new call two companies were raised; some who had served in the first northern battalion, after remaining at home long enough to put in a few acres of grain, reënlisted.8 These were still at Eugene City waiting for arms when April was half gone.
The intermission of aggressive operations greatly emboldened the Indians. The 2d regiment was scat- tered, guarding isolated settlements.9 Colonel Will- iams had resigned on account of the strictures passed upon his official management,10 and Lieutenant-colonel Martin had resigned for a different reason.11 By elec- tion on the 19th of March, 1856, Kelsey was made colo- nel, Chapman lieutenant-colonel, and Bruce and Lat- shaw majors of their respective battalions. The south- ern companies were ordered to rendezvous at Vannoy Ferry, and the northern at Grave Creek, to be in readi- ness to advance on The Meadows, the stronghold of the enemy, and toward which all the trails seemed to lead. At length, on the 16th of April, Chapman and Bruce moved with the entire southern battalion down the south side of Rogue River toward the supposed camp of the enemy, the northern battalion on the 17th passing down the north side under Lamerick, each division with supplies for twenty-five days. Three detachments were sent out to drive the Indians to their retreat, and Lamerick announced his inten- tion to the governor to stay with the enemy until they were subdued or starved out.
8 H. C. Huston's autobiography, in Brown's Miscellany, MS., 48-9. Linn county raised one company of 65 men commanded by James Blakely; Lane and Benton, one of 70 men, D. W. Keith captain.
9 In the latter part of Feb. they reappeared in the Illinois valley, killing two men and wounding three others. Soon after they killed one Guess while ploughing Smith's farm, on Deer Creek. Guess left a wife and two children. The volunteers under O'Neil pursued the Indians and rescued the family, of which there is a circumstantial account in a series of papers by J. M. Sutton, called Scraps of Southern Oregon History, many of which are dra- matically interesting, and extend through several numbers of the Ashland Tidings for 1877-8.
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