Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/446

428 and Jefferson Davis, two government vessels in Puget sound, for arms, and obtained them, and the Washington volunteers were stationed at various points west of the Cascades for the defense of the settlements, except one company organized to go to the relief of Governor Stevens, still in the Blackfoot country.

Although Governor Curry did not refuse to furnish Rains the four companies asked for, being satisfied that a hostile combination existed among the Indians throughout the northwest, he issued his proclamation October eleventh for eight companies, to act independently of, but in conjunction with Major Rains, which companies he placed in the field as rapidly as they were armed and supplied. The following is the governor's proclamation:— Whereas certain Indians have been guilty of the commission of criminal offenses, and have combined and are now engaged in hostilities that threaten the peace and security of the frontier settlements; and the chief in command of the military force of United States in this district having made a requisition upon the executive of this territory for a volunteer force to aid in suppressing the attacks of said hostile Indians: I issue this my proclamation calling for eight companies of mounted volunteers, to remain in force until duly discharged; each company to consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, four sergeants, four corporals, and sixty privates, each volunteer, if possible, to furnish his own horse, arms, and equipments; each company to elect its own officers, and rendezvous without delay on the right bank of the Willamette river, opposite Portland, where they will be mustered into service on reporting to the adjutant-general of the territory.

The following named counties are expected to make up the number of men wanted, and in order to facilitate operations the subjoined named gentlemen are respectfully requested to act as enrolling officers in their respective counties:

Multnomah county, one company, Shubrick Norris; Clackamas county, one company, A. F. Hedges; Washington county, one company, W. S. Caldwell; Yamhill county, one company, A. J. Hembree; Marion county, one company, L. F. Grover; Polk county, one company, Fred Waymire; Linn county, one company, L. S. Helm; Wasco county, one company, O. Humason. The last named company will organize at The Dalles, and report in writing to the adjutant-general.

Our fellow-citizens who may be in possession of arms, rifles, muskets, and revolvers, are most earnestly desired to turn them over