Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/419



THE ROGUE RIVER WARS. 401

On the twenty-seventh, however, Kelsey and Latshaw took out another detachment of one hundred men from the northern battalion; twenty-five of Captain Wallen s company, under his command ; twenty-five from Robert son s company, under Lieutenant Phillips; and the same number each from Sheffield s and Noland s companies, under their proper commanders. The sortie was made before daylight in order to take possession of a deep canon a mile west of the Indian camp, if possible, undiscovered, and to bring on a battle by annoying the enemy from this position, and decoying him into attacking on the east (the river here running north for some distance ) side of the river, which the spies had discovered to be well guarded and dangerous to cross for several miles above and below. Besides the hazard of crossing, the steep and rocky hills on the west side left no room for the passage of troops.

Major Bruce and Adjutant Cranmer led forth another detachment of one hundred and fifty men, from the south ern battalion, and took a position on the elevated prairie before mentioned, in order to be in the way of a retreat should the Indians attempt it. This movement was also made before daylight. With the coming of day a heavy fog arose which concealed either of these forces from the view of the enemy, enabling Kelsey to pass the only ex posed point on his route without discovery; but which cleared away suddenly soon after he had made the passage, leaving the river in full view.

Contrary to expectation no Indians were found in the canon; and in accordance with the determination of the colonel in command, with the concurrence of the major, and the volunteers, who were anxious to get at the enemy they had pursued so toilsomely for months, this detach ment made but a short pause, but proceeded another mile and a half, under cover of fir aud oak timber, to a ridge running down to the river, and sparsely covered with trees, immediately opposite the bar on which the Indians were encamped.