Oregon and Washington Volunteers/6

[Colonel J. E. Ross’ orders to Captain Jesse Walker, dated August 8, 1854.]
 , Jacksonville, O. T., August 8, 1854.  You will immediately proceed with your company, along the southern Oregon immigrant trail, to some suitable point near Clear lake or on Lost river, in the vicinity of the place where the immigration of 1852 was massacred by the Indians, where you will establish your headquarters. From this encampment you will send out detachments of such numbers as you may deem effective as far as the Humboldt river, giving them instructions to collect the immigrants together in as large companies as convenient, the better to withstand the attacks of the Indians. Each train will be strictly guarded through the entire hostile country.

It is to be hoped that your company, in the heart of their country, will deter the Indians from committing their annual depredations upon the immigrants coming in by this route. Your treatment of the Indians must in a great measure be left to your own judgment and discretion. If possible, however, cultivate their friendship; but if necessary for the safety of the lives and property of the immigration, whip and drive them from the road.

 JOHN E. ROSS, Col. Commanding, 9th Regiment, O. M.  Captain