Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/778

Rh and the fear that in a few weeks when the snow should be off the mountains the Indians might invade the Willamette Valley, made haste to collect such articles as could be purchased from or spared by all classes, and to forward them to the Dalles. In this work the women of Oregon City heartily joined, organizing a society whose purpose was to support the army m the field, and the maidens pledging themselves to treat with avoidance and contempt all able-bodied young men who would not march at once to the seat of war.

The objection offered by many to enlisting or remaining in the army was the fear of losing their land claims by abandoning them at this critical moment, when it was expected that the first mail from the United States would bring news of the passage of an act by congress giving a certain amount of land to actual settlers. But to this fear the young ladies replied that they would see that the soldiers' claims were respected, and exhorted them to "fight on, be brave, obey your officers, and never quit your posts till the enemy is conquered," promising to reward them with their sympathy.

The governor issued a proclamation for three hundred recruits. Meetings were held in several counties, and about two hundred and fifty men enlisted.

Before the recruits were ready to march, an express arrived from Fort Waters with letters. Waters wrote to Governor Abernethy, April 4th, that, not seeing