Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/410



Davis and Alexander Caldwell), and one man (a packer) severely wounded. The dead men were carried off by six men during a heavy fire from the enemy. Had they done any good shooting, many a life must have been sacrificed. The fight then became general, which lasted until dark, when the Indians, after making a great number of fires, and as we supposed, burning their dead, drew off. An express was immediately dispatched to Major Bruce, and likewise to the inhabitants of Illinois valley. Major Bruce, with all the available forces under his command, arrived on the following morning. On Tuesday, while preparing the whole command to march in pursuit of the enemy, an express arrived reporting a pack train robbed by Indians on Deer creek. Twenty-five men, well armed and mounted, started direct for the place, Major Bruce with the remainder flanking out in different directions. On arriving at a low divide, a heavy cross fire was opened by the enemy who were lying in ambush. Another engagement commenced. On the first fire two of Captain George s company were killed, and two of Cap tain O NeiPs slightly wounded. The men took their stations, killing three Indians, sure. Major being on the point of outflanking them, they scattered over the whole country, and not having a suf ficient force to make a successful fight, Major Bruce with a portion of each company, returned to Illinois valley to get the families together for their safety. The remainder of the force returned to Camp Hayes. Major Bruce, with men from each company, started today with three pack trains to Fort Vannoy, and to get sufficient provisions, as well as men to make a more successful attack, as the Indians are in great force, and will require a strong number to strike anything like a decisive blow.

( The loss sustained by O NeiPs company, besides the two men already named, were a dozen horses and mules, with equipments for half of them, six rifles and revolvers, and many blankets, all of which, except the horses killed or wounded, went to enrich the Indians.)

The Indians were driven farther south at this time by operations in the Cow creek region, as we learn from the report of Captain Edward Sheffield for the month of March.

Fourteen men employed as spies ; sixteen employed building fort at Smith s station on upper Cow creek. March first, twenty-six of company employed escorting government train to Jacksonville. Twenty men under first lieutenant stationed in lower Cow creek valley. Remainder of company at Fort Smith. March sixth, twenty-six of company on expedition down Grave creek under Major Bruce. March twenty -fourth, twenty of company com-