Oregon and Washington Volunteers/2

[Quartermaster General C. S. Drew’s despatch to Governor Davis, dated July 7, 1854.]
 July 7, 1854. 

SIR: As the time is fast approaching for the arrival of the annual emigration from the Atlantic States, via the plains, and as the country through which it is destined to pass is now, as heretofore, occupied by tribes of hostile Indians who have for several years past committed many depredations upon the immigration en route to this portion of Oregon and the adjacent counties of northern California, and possessing the knowledge of the massacre of several entire families in the year 1852 in the immediate vicinity of Goose lake, together with the positive proof of their having committed many depredations, though perhaps of a less criminal nature, during the past season, and of the manifestation of hostile intentions at the present time, I deem it advisable to state to you the present position of affairs here relative to Indian matters and the coming immigration.

The recent Indian difficulty in Siskiyou county, California, resulted in the death of several Indians belonging to the different tribes of the northern section of California and to southern Oregon, two of whom are supposed to have belonged to the Modocs, located in the vicinity of Goose and Klamath lakes, directly on the immigrant road to this valley. The Applegate, Klamath, Shasta, and Scott valley tribes have left their usual haunts and gone into the mountains in the direction of the Modoc country, with the avowed determination of joining with the several tribes in that vicinity for the purpose of getting redress for real or imaginary wrongs from any or all citizens who may fall within their grasp.

Through the prompt and vigorous action of General Lane the immigration of last season met with comparative few losses. This indefatigable officer, though suffering severely from the effects of a wound received in an action with Indians only a few days previous, saw at once the perilous situation of the incoming immigration, and, with the promptitude characteristic of this estimable officer, immediately ordered a company of about sixty mounted volunteers, in command of Captain John F. Miller, to proceed with all possible despatch to the section of country in which were enacted the horrid massacres of the year previous. To this act a large portion of the immigration of that year are indebted for the safety of their property, and in many instances, no doubt, their lives. Though a detachment of dragoons had been previously despatched from Fort Jones to the same point and for the same purpose, yet, as is the case now, their force was wholly inadequate for the protection of the immigration through a country infested by numerous bands of hostile Indians of perhaps one hundred and sixty miles in extent.

No preparations are being made by traders, either of this or the adjoining counties of California, for an adventure on the plains this season, as has usually been the custom; consequently much suffering among the poorer class of immigrants must inevitably be the result. A small detachment of dragoons will probably be despatched from Fort Lane, and will no doubt render all the assistance in their power to the immigration at large; but the entire force stationed at that post being small, numbering scarcely seventy men, it cannot be expected that more than thirty can he despatched on this service.

This number, you will readily perceive, is insufficient to perform the service necessary to be rendered in emergencies of this kind.

The present financial condition of the citizens of this section of the Territory renders it impossible to raise the means for the relief of such as may stand in need, owing to the fact that none have recovered from the disastrous consequences of the late war. Supplies could not be procured here sufficient to provision thirty men as many days without the probability of an immediate remuneration therefor. The merchants here are, many of them, paying five per cent, a month for money, with which they furnished supplies for the volunteer service in the late Rogue river war, while others have been compelled to relinquish their former avocations altogether, not being able to effect loans even at the above ruinous rates of usury.

In view of these facts, I most respectfully beg leave to inquire whether it is in your power to render any aid whatever in this emergency? The militia law of this Territory, section 15, provides that volunteer companies may be formed within the bounds of any regiment, under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the colonel thereof and approved by the brigadier general. My opinion is, however, that the law referred to has no bearing in the present instance, and I merely call your attention to this section in order that you may be pleased to correct me if I am in error in my construction of it. Many suppose and even contend that the governor, as commander-in-chief of the militia, has power to call into service volunteer companies to suppress Indian hostilities in any portion of the Territory should there be an insufficiency of United States troops to effect the same purpose. Be that as it may, if you are invested with authority to grant aid in the present instance, or if in the alternative you should deem it prudent to assume in a measure the responsibility of rendering aid and protection to the incoming immigration, I am confident that a great saving of life and property will be the happy result; and should it be necessary for the next legislature to take any action in the matter, by way of memorializing Congress to defray the expenses necessary to be incurred in carrying into effect this desired object, I am free to pledge the hearty co-operation of the five members from this county in support of such a measure.

The State of California has authorized the raising of a company of mounted rangers in the adjoining county of Klamath (the officers of which have already been duly commissioned) for the sole purpose of affording ample protection to her citizens from the incursions of hostile Indians. If such an act is necessary there, where there are comparatively few Indians, and those mostly ignorant of the use of firearms, it must be doubly so here, where there is probably three times the number of Indians, well armed with fire-arms of the best quality, and who have been taught by experience the most effectual mode of warfare.

I could cite other pecedents [sic], but fearing that I have already overtaxed your patience, I subscribe myself your obedient servant,

 C. S. DREW, Quartermaster General of Militia.  His Excellency Governor and Commander-in-chief of the Militia of O.T.

We freely endorse the above facts as set forth by C. S. Drew. E. H. CLEAVLAND, councilman elect. ALEX. McINTYRE, legislative member elect. O. B. McFADDEN. JOHN E. ROSS.