twenty miles from here. He was shot with an arrow about two inches below the right shoulder-blade and near the backbone. I pulled the arrow out, but the stone head was so deeply imbedded that it broke short off, and of course yet remains in him. He was carried from the ranch, where the fight took place, to where he now is, on a litter, complaining of suffering much pain, and is really so bad that I could not move him here. Will you please send medical attendance for him. I had a fight with the Indians yesterday not far from where I again attacked them this morning, and killed between 15 and 20; to-day 5 were killed and 3 wounded. The Indians are very troublesome and almost constantly killing stock. I will report more fully the first opportunity. Very respectfully, and in haste, your obedient servant, JOS. B. COLLINS, First Lieut., Fourth Infty., Comdg. Detach. Co. B, Sixth U. S. Infty. Capt. CHARLES S. LOVELL, Commanding Fort Humboldt, Cal. MAY 23-JUNE 17, 1861.-Operations on the Mad and Eel Rivers, Cal., with skirmishes (May 23) near Larrabee's Ranch, (May 26) on Eel River, (May 28) on the South Fork of Eel River, (May 30) on Keatuck Creek, (June 4) opposite Bell Spring on the Eel River, (June 2 and 8) near Larrabee's house, (June 14 and 16) on the South Fork of Eel River, and (June 17) near Kettenshaw. REPORTS. No. 1.-Lieut. Joseph B. Collins, Fourth U. S. Infantry. No. 1. Report of Lieut. Joseph B. Collins, Fourth U. S. Infantry. Maj. D. C. BUELL, FORT HUMBOLDT, CAL., July 5, 1861. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.: SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith reports received from Lieutenants Collins and Martin, commanding detachments in the field. Copies of your letters of May 22 and June 14 [13] were sent to those officers for their guidance in the treatment to be pursued toward the Indians in future. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. S. LOVELL, Captain, Sixth Infantry, Commanding. CAMP ON LARRABEE'S CREEK, CAL., June 18, 1861. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report, embracing my operations against hostile Indians since May 9, 1861, on Mad and Eel Rivers and their tributaries: May 23, attacked an Indian rancheria between the head of Larrabee's Creek and Main Eel River, and killed 10 of their number. May 26, attacked a rancheria about twelves miles from and farther up the river than the one attacked on the 23d instant, and killed 4 Indians. May 30, attacked a very large rancheria near Keatuck Creek; killed 25 Indians and wounded 10. At this place the Indians fought with more determination than upon any former occasion. Packer John Steward was shot through the middle finger with an arrow, which fortunately struck the stock of his rifle, preventing a serious if not fatal wound. Twelve bows and quivers with a large number of arrows were taken from this rancheria. June 2, attacked a rancheria about five miles from Larrabee's house; killed 20 Indians. June 8, attacked a rancheria about three miles south of Larrabee's house; killed 4 and wounded 1. June 16, attacked a rancheria near Kettenshaw Valley; killed 4 Indians. Corporal Larrabee, of the volunteers, wounded in the left arm by an arrow. This rancheria was occupied by Las-sic's band, probably the most desperate and troublesome Indians in the mountains. They have frequently been engaged in murdering whites, burning houses, and killing horses and cattle. I regret so few of them were killed, but they were constantly on the alert and could only be caught by following them day and night, the troops carrying their provisions and blankets on their backs. The attack was made near noon, and as the Indians were prepared for it, many of them escaped through the almost impassable bushes. June 17, attacked a rancheria on the trail leading from Kettenshaw to Round Valley; killed 6 Indians, only 1 escaped. In this rancheria there was found over 200 pounds of pork; hogs recently killed by the Indians. The number of Indians reported killed and wounded in the several engagements were, of course, all males, competent to bear arms. Percussion caps, bullets, and parts of fire-arms have been found in their possession. The Indians in the vicinity of every neighborhood between Mad and Eel Rivers, where depredations have been committed for the last four or five months, have been severely chastised, and nearly all of them driven from the settlements. In no instance have Indians been punished who were supposed to be innocent. The volunteers have rendered very efficient service in the manner in which they are associated with the regular troops, and their retention until the expiration of their term of service is important and judicious. No troops could have done better than the detachment from your company, and I take great pleasure in saying that both regulars and volunteers, cheerfully and without a murmur, bore the fatigues, night marches, and deprivations incident to pursuing, finding, and chastising hostile Indians. But little more remains to be done by the present command; probably it will be sufficient after the term of service of the volunteers expires, July 17, to remain where we now are and keep all Indians from the settlements. In my opinion the establishment of a military post is the only mode of affording reliable security to the citizens and their property. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, First Lieutenant, Fourth Infantry, Commanding. Capt. CHARLES S. LOVELL, Sixth Infantry, Commanding Fort Humboldt, Cal. No. 2. Report of Lieut. James P. Martin, Seventh U. S. Infantry. CAMP NEAR SPRUCE GROVE, June 27, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this command up to this date, viz: On the 24th of May a party of thirteen men (seven enlisted men and six volunteers) left this camp on a scout. On the 28th, at 11 a. m., they came upon a rancheria on the South Fork of Eel River about one mile above its mouth. The Indians were attacked and 8 killed, 1 squaw accidently wounded. Of those killed 1 is known to have killed a white man. June 1, fourteen men (seven enlisted and seven volunteers) left camp. At daylight on the 4th a party of Indians were discovered on Eel River about opposite Bell Spring. They were attacked and 16 killed and 1 wounded. I regret to state that among the number killed were three squaws, but owing to the hour of the attack it was impossible to distinguish male from female. These Indians are supposed to be those who killed stock belonging to Messrs. Fleming and Wilburn. June 10, nineteen men (one officer, eleven enlisted men, six volunteers, and one interpreter) left on a scout of fifteen days. On the same day (the 10th) we were joined by a party of five hunters, who volunteered their services for the trip. On the night of the 14th we discovered what was supposed to be two Indian fires in opposite directions; the party was divided into two of ten each, four being left in charge of the animals. One of the parties was taken command of by myself. We found after marching more than half the night that we were mistaken in seeing a fire. We continued our march, and at daylight came upon and attacked a rancheria containing four Indians, two men and two women. The men were killed, and one of the squaws being mistaken for a male was slightly wounded. The second party did not succeed in finding any Indians. Whilst we were encamped on the 16th four Indians were found lurking about our camp and were killed as spies. On the 18th I left the party on account of sickness and returned to camp. One Indian was shot by the party before its return; he was running from them at the time he was killed. June 13, a party of seven men (three enlisted, one volunteer, one hunter, and one Indian) were sent out. After marching for thirty-six hours without seeing any signs of Indians, the party divided, one volunteer and one enlisted man taking charge of the animals to return to camp. The second party (two enlisted men, hunter, and one Indian) returned by a different route on foot. On the 14th, at 10 a. m., they came upon and attacked a rancheria, killing 7 and wounding 1. The rancheria was on a gulch emptying into the South Fork of Eel River about fifteen miles above its mouth. These Indians were found in the immediate vicinity of places where stock had been killed. June 15, three men (one volunteer and two enlisted) were sent out as scouts. About 9 p.m. they discovered a ranch, and dispatched one of their number to camp for more men. Eight enlisted men were sent to their aid, reaching them about daylight, when an attack was made and 2 killed and 3 wounded. One boy was slightly wounded. A squaw in this ranch at the time of the attack having been seen afterward says that 10 of their number were killed. These Indians were found in the same place, and supposed to be part of the same tribe as were those killed by the party which left camp on the 13th. The country over which the operations of this command have to be conducted is very rough, in many places almost impassable and very favorable for the secretion of Indians who commit depredations. They keep no fires burning at night, and in daylight so arrange them as to make as little smoke as possible. I do not know positively what depredations, if any, have been committed by the Indians killed by this command. I have no means of finding out whether those that we may come upon are guilty or innocent; no communication can be held with them. Circumstantial evidence goes to show that they are all guilty. My instructions are to consider all who run on approaching them as hostile, and to fire upon them. In every case where any have been killed they ran at the first sight of the Sickness has prevented my making this report at any earlier date. Very respectfully, your cbedient servant, men. JAS. P. MARTIN, Second Lieutenant, Seventh Infantry, Commanding Detachment.. Capt. C. S. LOVELL, Sixth Infantry, Fort Humboldt, Cal. JULY 21, 1861.—Skirmish on the South Fork of Eel River, Cal. Report of Lieut. James P. Martin, Seventh U. S. Infantry. CAMP ON THE MATTOLE RIVER, July 25, 1861. SIR: Your letter of the 12th instant has been received. I have the honor to report that a party, consisting of one officer, two volunteer guides, one interpreter, and two enlisted men, left my camp July 20, 1861, for the purpose of prospecting a route to Shelter Cove. When about twenty-five miles above the mouth of the South Fork of Eel River, and immediately on the river, the party came upon and attacked a rancheria containing about forty Indians. Twelve of the number were killed, among whom, unfortunately, were two women; the latter were killed through mistake. I do not know positively that these Indians belong to the tribe at Shelter Cove, but I am satisfied that they had committed depredations on the property of white people, because evidence to that effect was discovered before they were fired upon. One Indian that was captured says that two of the number killed were Shelter Cove Indians. I believe that the Indians in this part of the country are immediately connected with the Shelter Coves, and are perhaps as much concerned in killing stock on the coast as the Shelter Coves themselves According to their own statement they help the latter to eat the cattle that are killed, and the Indian above referred to as having been captured stated once that they had assisted in killing white men on the coast, but afterward contradicted this statement. One story is as liable to be true as the other. The country over which the operations of this command have now to be conducted presents more difficulties than any yet operated in, and the greater portion of it is, I think, almost, if not entirely, impassable. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. P. MARTIN, Second Lieut., Seventh Infty., Comdg. Detach. Co. D, Sixth Infty. Capt. C. S. LOVELL, Sixth Infantry, Commanding Fort Humboldt, Cal. AUGUST 3-12, 1861.-Scout from Fort Crook to Round Valley, Cal., with skirmish (5th) in the Upper Pitt River Valley. Report of Lieut. John Feilner, First U. S. Dragoons. Capt. R. C. DRUM, HEADQUARTERS, Fort Crook, Cal., August 18, 1861. Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, San Francisco, Cal.: SIR: Herewith inclosed I have the honor to forward Lieutenant Feilner's report of a scout after Indians. On account of having lost some provisions by the mules falling in while crossing Pitt River, Lieutenant Feilner had to return sooner than he desired, and before he had an opportunity of punishing the Indians and hunting up all the cattle, about 350 head out of 850 being all he could find alive, while out. I did, therefore, order him out again, with two non-commissioned officers and twenty-seven privates of Company F, First Dragoons, on the 15th instant, with instructions to collect all the cattle he could find belonging to the drovers, and to punish the Indians known to have been engaged in the murder and theft. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Second Lieutenant, First Dragoons, Commanding. FORT CROOK, CAL., August 13, 1961. SIR: I have the honor to report that in accordance with Post Order No. 19, I left Fort Crook, Cal., on the 3d instant with one non-commis-, sioned officer, one bugler, and twelve men of Company F, First Dragoons, Mr. Pugh, and one Indian as guide, for the purpose of examining the country northeast of this valley, and of ascertaining the truth of rumor of an attack by Indians on a party of citizens out prospecting. We had marched about eight or nine miles from the post when we met two men who had survived a fight which took place on the 1st instant, in a valley near the head of Pitt River, about eighty miles from here, between a party of nineteen cattle-drovers on their way from Oregon to Washoe, with about 850 head of cattle, and a party of Indians, variously estimated, numbering from 150 to 500. Two of those cattle. drivers, Mr. Bailey and Mr. Evans, the principal owners of the cattle, were killed, and three others wounded. The party made for the fort, leaving the cattle and wagons behind them. Believing the force I started with insufficient, I sent back after more men and encamped at Ralf's Crossing, on Pitt River, distant from the fort twelve miles. The same afternoon Sergeant Moore and six men joined me. August 4, we started about 4 a. m., eight citizens of the party who lost the cattle along. Crossed the mountains to Big or Round Valley. After marching about thirty-five miles we stopped on Pitt River to wait for three of the men who were with the pack animals, and who lost our trail coming across the mountains. They did not come up until late, consequently we had to remain here all night. August 5, marched along the river up Pitt River Cañon (about ten miles long); found fifty-two head of cattle, and proceeded about eight miles into what I should call Upper Pitt River Valley, where we saw Indians driving cattle toward the river about two miles ahead. Took after them; killed 1 and wounded 3 others. Some ran for the tulles and swamps, others for the timber, up the side of a mountain studded with rocks and brush, where it was impossible to find them. The whole command, including Mr. Pugh, the guide, behaved very courageously and soldierlike, especially James Rathburn, private of Company F, First Dragoons. I received two slight arrow wounds, one in the right arm and one in the breast, but was lucky enough to kill the Indian. Several head of cattle had been killed and the beef hung up on the trees to dry. We destroyed all the meat we could find, and then went to where the drovers' wagons had been burned by the Indians, and from there two miles farther, where the fight between the citizens and Indians took place. There we found the bodies of Mr. Bailey and Mr. Evans, both entirely naked and terribly mutilated. We buried the bodies and |