Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/145

Rh by the Indians. Some hours later the savages were seen on Bald Peak, a high mountain a few miles to the north. A mile distant, the troops saw the Indians drawn up in line of battle. Thereupon the volunteers became so eager for the fray that they threw down their coats and blankets and made an assault. The Indians retired into the brush, whence they poured a deadly fire into the ranks of the soldiers. All day long the battle continued; and at dark the whites retired a short distance to obtain water for their wounded and dying. The next morning the Indians made a desperate attack but were forced to retire to the brush. Nevertheless "they retained a good position on the battle ground and held their scalp dance to celebrate the victory. But the victory was dearly purchased, inasmuch as the Indians not only . failed to pursue the retreating whites, but left immediately for their stronghold down the Rogue River."

Last Battle with the Rogue River Indians. "The last and most eventful year of the war came in 1856 at the Big Meadows on Rogue River near where the hostiles had fortified for a final test. Gen. Lamerick, Col. Kelsay, Col. W. W. Chapman and Major Bruce were active in command of the volunteers. The battle began but was maintained by the volunteers with so little energy and daring that the casualties were small on both sides. It was really a draw. The whites went into camp and the Indians withdrew

"The Government was discouraged with these ineffectual attempts to overcome the hostilities, and resolved upon a more determined and decisive prosecution of the war. Regular troops were ordered up from California, in addition to those already in the country. The Indians observing these preparations, assembled in their natural fortifications in the mountain fastnesses, for defense, along the Rogue river. The military plan entered upon was for the California troops to move up the Coast and ascend the river, and for those on the upper river to descend and there to concentrate,