Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/381



THE ROGUE EIVER WARS. 363

On the morning on the twenty-sixth, Captain Judah, with forty-six regulars, and Major Martin, with one hun dred volunteers, marched to a position opposite the Indian camp, where, according to the plan of attack, they were to be joined by Major Bruce and Captains Williams and Alcorn, with two hundred and eighty -six volunteers. These were to cross the river on a raft, surround the en emy s camp, and give a signal, when Judah was to open fire from his howitzer.

The "best laid schemes," it is, according to the poet, which "gang aft aglee;" and so it was with this one con certed with so much care by a "regular" officer. Wild men, like birds, must be taken on the wing. They will not wait to have salt put upon their tails. Major Bruce was in the act of placing his raft in the water at a little past noon, when the Indians opened fire on him from the cover of the underbrush and timber on the east side. His command was driven to seek shelter and defend itself until dark, when it withdrew, and the whole force went into camp.

It was then determined to send for supplies and reen- forcements, and to force the Indians out of their strong hold. On the first of December an express arrived from Captain Smith, informing Judah that he had reached a point twelve miles below Grave-creek house, but could come no further on account of rain and snow upon the mountains, and that in a few days more the mountains would be impassable. A council being held, it was de cided to return to headquarters to await a change in the weather.

On the forth of December all arrived at the Grave-creek house, where they learned of the governor s proclamation uniting the two battalions into a regiment, and ordering the election of officers as above mentioned. From here Major Bruce proceeded to Fort Vannoy (headquarters), where the election of colonel and lieutenant-colonel was held on the sixth, resulting in the choice