Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/170



160 S. H. TAYLOR

13th inst. a force of about 30 whites, near the Cottonwood, about 40 miles from here, on the road south to California, in the Chastee valley, went out in pursuit of Indians who had for some weeks been engaged in the the theft of cattle. They had traced them into the mountains to a cave, when they were attacked by about 100 Indians from an ambush, and dispersed with the loss of their rations and ammunition having four men killed and four seriously wounded. The attack was well sustained by the whites, in a fight continuing in one form or another, all day. The loss of the enemy is unknown.

The Indians are of the Shastee and Rogue river Tribes a portion from a band located but about nine miles from here. It is generally treated as a prelude to certain war. A Capt. Wright, a famous Indian hunter, of this valley, has gone to the scene of the affair, and at Yreka and Cottonwood is raising a volunteer company to pursue them. It was intended to have 200 regular troops stationed in this valley before this time but they are not here, and no one knows when they may be. But regulars or no regulars, should these tribes renew hostili- ties, the citizens will make short work with them. -I will advise you of the progress of the affair.

Yours, &c. S. H. TAYLOR.