< Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu
This page needs to be proofread.

NOTABLE SAVAGES. 375

attack from Applegate Creek. Kautz returned to the fort for a better supply of arms and ammunition, in tending to resist the advance of the hostile party, should he fall in with it. A few days after resuming his march he was attacked by a portion of the band, losin^ five of his men, two soldiers and three citizens.

o

The Indians were only prevented from securing a considerable amount of ammunition by the precaution of Kautz in unloading the pack-mules at the begin ning of the battle. He was able to secure an orderly retreat with the remainder of his party. 14 The only Indians in the whole country, from Yreka to the Umpqua canon, who could be regarded other than enemies were those under Rogue River Sam, who since the treaty of 1853 had kept faith with the white people; the Shastas, the natives of Scott Val ley, and many of the people about Grave and Cow creeks, and the Umpquas being concerned in the war, in which the Shastas were principals, under the lead ership of Chief John. The Klamaths were also hos tile. 15

To meet a savage enemy, well armed and prepared for war, knowing every mountain fastness, and having always the advantage of chosen positions, was not practicable with anything like equal numbers. Esti mating the fighting men of the enemy at no more than 400, it would require three or four times that number to engage them, because of their ability to appear un expectedly at several points; at the same time to dis appear as rapidly; and to wear out the horses and men of the white forces in following them. The armed men that were mustered in Rogue River Valley be tween the 9th and llth of October amounted to only about 150, not from any want of courage, but from want of arms. 16 No attempt at permanent organiza-

14 Henry s Rogue River War Speech, 14.

15 Letter of Ambrose to Palmer, in U. S. H. Ex. Doc. 93, 62-65, 34th cong. 1st sess.

16 Says Ambrose: As in the war of 1853, the Indians have all the guns in the country. Those Indians have each a good rifle and revolver, and are skilful in the use of them.

    This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.