Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/331



THE ROGUE RIVER WARS. 313

vote, every man having a voice in the matter. Less than half voted for a talk, the others remaining silent. He then sent Robert B. Metcalf and James Bruce into the Indian lines to get an expression of their wishes, when they reiterated their desire to see "Jo Lane."

On entering their camp, Lane found them with many wounded, and some dead, whom they were burning. Chief Jo, with his brothers Sam and Jim, assured Lane that they were sick of war. He outlined to them a plan of treaty which included the obligation on their part to go upon a reservation, and they agreed to it. The date fixed for the treaty council was early in September, and these affairs being arranged, Lane returned to the place of dis mounting in the morning, where the wounded were being cared for, and the dead buried.

The white men killed in this battle were Pleasant Armstrong, 2 John Scarborough, and Isaac Bradley. The wounded volunteers were Henry Flasher, Thomas Hayes, and Charles C. Abbott; the latter dying of his wounds September second. The Indian loss was eight killed and twenty wounded.

Ross battalion arrived too late to participate in the battle of Evans creek, on account of which disappoint ment they inclined to renew it, but were restrained by Lane, who went into camp within four hundred yards of the enemy, where he remained for two days. Impelled by their personal regard for Lane, who had always been able to appear to them if not as a friend, at least as a magnan imous enemy, the Indian women carried water to the wounded, and the Indian men helped bear them on litters to camp. Such is the savage nature, one moment governed by animal rages, and in the next exhibiting fear, timidity, and even tenderness.

On the twenty-ninth, the Indian and volunteer forces moved down into the valley, each keeping strict watch

2 Armstrong s remains, it is said, were disinterred and cut to pieces. He was a brother of the author of Annstrong s Oregon, a descriptive work.