horses were also lying near, having been killed at the same time. The camp was situated on the west bank of Mad River, about one-quarter of a mile from the river, on an open space nearly surrounded by small bushes. About fifty yards to the south there is a small gulch running down to the river. The Indians, it is said to the number of about forty, crossed from the Fort Lyon District, came up the gulch, and being concealed by the brush growing upon its banks, fired upon the citizens while they were preparing supper, killing and wounding as before stated. Five of the Indians pursued Mr. Olmstead, who succeeded in making his escape after killing one of the Indians with his revolver. The Indians then recrossed the river, taking the Weaverville trail to the top of the mountain, and from thence struck off toward the head of Grouse Creek. July 11, Corporal McHirron, with the detachment detailed to carry Mr. Olmstead to Yager Creek Settlement, returned to the post. July 15, Sergeant Jones with detachment of fourteen men, the guide and interpreter and two Indian runners, left the post under orders to march to the South Fork of Eel River; from thence to Fort Seward; from thence to Kettenshaw, and from thence back to the post, and to capture and call in as many Indians as possible, and to endeavor to surprise SayWinne's band and punish them severely. July 24, Sergeant Jones with detachment, &c., returned to the post, having succeeded in capturing and calling in 112 Indians (36 grown males, 50 squaws, and 26 children). Between the 20th and 31st days of July there were 44 Indians (amongst them the chief Las-Sic) brought to the post by citi zens. There are now at the post 55 warriors, 68 squaws, and 65 children. Lieut. J. F. Staples, with nineteen enlisted men of my company, has been stationed at the Eel River House (in the district of Capt. D.B.. Akey, Second Cavalry California Volunteers) since June 28, 1862. I have had no report from him for the month of July. In connection with the attack upon the citizens at the Upper Crossing of Mad River, I would respectfully state that there are two bands of very hostile Indians within striking distance of Fort Baker. One ranging in the Redwoods, near Reed's ranch, and south to Eel River; another ranging in the mountains and gulches on the east side of Mad River, between Fort Lyon and the Eel River and Weaverville trail. Owing to the nature of the country, and the fact of their being constantly upon the alert, it is almost impossible for one body of soldiers to succeed in getting near enough to attack them. To capture or destroy these Indians it will be found necessary that four detachments (of fifteen or twenty men each) should be put in motion against them at about the same time. Whilst two parties are driving them, the other two parties would be so placed as to intercept their retreat. The points to be occupied will very readily suggest themselves to an officer acquainted with the country. To carry out this plan with success it will be necessary (if the exigencies of the service will permit) that the officer in command at Fort Baker should have control of at least one company, and authority to order the troops at Fort Lyon to co operate with the troops from Fort Baker when necessary, and to provide guides when needed for each detachment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. E. KETCHAM, Captain, Third Infantry California Vols., Comdg. Fort Baker. Maj. R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, Hdqrs. Department of the Pacific, San Franciso, Cal. No. 8. Report of Lieut. John F. Staples, Third California Infantry. FORT BAKER, CAL., June 2, 1862. CAPTAIN: Pursuant to Post Orders, No. 22, I left this post on the morning of the 29th of May with a detachment of twenty men on a scout for Indians. Traveled eight miles to the head of Yager Creek and camped for the night. May 30, left camp at 6 o'clock. Followed the Hydesville trail to Reed's ranch; thence in a southwesterly direction to the Van Dusen, at a point known as the Van Dusen Mail Station. Camped for the night. May 31, crossed the Van Dusen. Traveled in a southwest course to Eel River; thence up the river one mile. Discovered a party of from twenty to thirty Indians, who were also traveling up the river. They saw us first as we were coming into a small prairie. We were close to them before they discovered us. I immediately attacked and routed them, killing 1 buck and capturing 12 squaws and children. They had several guns, but I am unable to say how many. They fired several shots at us from the brush. One shot struck Corporal Collins' cap-box, passing through it, and lodging against his belt-plate, doing him no serious harm. Returned to the mail station and camped for the night. June 1, returned via Reed's ranch to McEntee's Crossing of the Van Dusen. June 2, arrived at Fort Baker at 11.30 o'clock with twelve prisoners, having been absent four days and a half. J. F. STAPLES, First Lieutenant, Third Infantry California Volunteers. Capt. THOMAS E. KETCHAM, Third Infantry California Vols., Comdg. Fort Baker, Cal. No. 9. Report of Lieut. Joseph Anderson, Third California Infantry. ELK CAMP, July 31, 1862. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to inform you that we had a visit from the Indians in this vicinity yesterday about 6.30 o'clock. They shot Mr. Miller in the thigh, killed his squaw and child about one year old. Miller, after being shot, made good his escape to Mr. Saunders' house, about three miles from where the Indians made their attack; also his boy, about nine years old. As soon as I got the news I had my party divided and sent part of them to Mr. Saunders' house, and had Miller, his boy, and Mr. Saunders, who is helpless at present, moved to this camp, which was then about 9 o'clock at night. After getting them all together, with Mr. Morton's family, I made the best disposition I possibly could with the small command I had for the night. I am to-day preparing for another attack, and assisting Mr. Morton to have his family moved to Trinidad; also, Miller and Mr. Saunders, as both of them require medical attendance. I received orders last night from Captain Douglas to proceed with what available force I had and scout from this camp along Redwood Creek to Albee's, and if I discovered any Indian signs to let him know. The force I have here is not sufficient to protect this place, and if I divide it I know Indians, who are now encamped about Coyote Camp, will come back and destroy what houses remain standing here. These are Mr. Saunders', Mr. McConaha's, and Mr. Morton's, which are worth several thousand dollars with their crops, all of which will be destroyed by dividing the party. I therefore take the responsibility of stopping here contrary to Captain Douglas' orders, as I think I could accomplish nothing by scouting with the party that I could take from this command, as I am positive there is a large party of Indians between here and Albee's. The four men of Company D, Third Infantry, which brought the order from Captain Douglas, passed two camps, one where the military express rider was shot, with fourteen Indians they saw sitting at a camp-fire, and the other camp a little above where Miller was shot. The number there they could not tell, but by the noise they made at the time they passed, they judged there must have been some thirty or forty Indians. They traveled all night and got here about 3.30 o'clock this morning. The Indians burned Mr. Miller's house and Mr. Williams'; also, shot Miller's horse and destroyed everything about the place. As soon as I have Miller, Saunders, and Mr. Morton's family started for Trinidad I am going to see what other damage they have done. I am only rationed up to the 4th of August. I hope that a train may arrive here before that time. If they have not started I would advise them to come by Trinidad to this camp. I hope the colonel commanding will approve of my course of action in keeping the small force I have here together and not complying with the order I have received from Captain Douglas; I would comply, however, with Captain Douglas' order, but I find that the men are not very well satisfied to stop here after I divide the party and leave them. I have reason to believe they would not stop here after me to afford any protection to this place, and for that reason I have thought better to keep this party together and acquaint the colonel commanding of the course I have taken. The party of this command now at Albee's will have to get supplies from Fort Anderson. I cannot procure an animal to pack them any provisions from here. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ANDERSON, First Lieut., Third Infantry California Vols., Comdg. Elk Camp. Lieut. JOHN HANNA, Jr., Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Humboldt Military District. No. 10. Report of Lieut. John D. Myers, Third California Infantry. LISCOMBE'S HILL, CAL., June 11, 1862. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report, for the information of the colonel commanding, that a party of men-one corporal and two privates from my detachment-escorting Government stores to Elk Camp, transported by McConaha's pack train, was, on their return from that station on the 9th [8th] (Sunday), while encamped at Fawn Prairie, were attacked by a party of about fifty Indians, who kept up a continual fire on a log cabin where the men were for protection for about half an hour, and the balls came through the cabin so fast that the men were forced to leave. The Indians have got their blankets and overcoats, and if it had not been dark would, from their numbers, have, no doubt, got the I think from the number and the way that they came that they are the same party that committed those depredations on Mad River on that same morning. The men think that they destroyed all belonging men. to the train, as they fired into the mules before they fired at the cabin. The prairie is four miles from Fort Anderson and eight miles from this hill. The men will want blankets and overcoats. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Second Lieut., Third Infty. California Vols., Comdg. Detachment. Lieut. JOHN HANNA, Jr., Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Humboldt Military District. No. 11. Report of Capt. David B. Akey, Second California Cavalry. FORT HUMBOLDT, CAL., April 12, 1862. COLONEL: As directed by you I left Fort Humboldt Thursday, April 3, with a detachment of my company, consisting of three noncommissioned officers and twenty-eight men, in pursuit of Indians. Left a detachment of one corporal and three men at the Eel River House, it having been reported to me that an attack was threatened at Figglebaum's Store. Encamped at Cooper's Mills Friday, 12 m. Found the mills robbed of from 2,000 to 2,500 pounds of flour, and belts, ropes, and all movable machinery cut up or destroyed. Mills had been fired in three places, but had died out. Saturday morning, April 5, started on the trail of the Indians, with two non-commissioned officers and twentythree men. From the signs supposed to be between twenty and thirty Indians. Marched in a westerly direction; country heavily timbered; undergrowth almost impassable. Marched a distance of fourteen miles. No fresh sign of Indians. Encamped near a small prairie, twelve miles from Cooper's Mills. Same night sent two men back after mules with provisions. Weather clear, elevation above Cooper's Mills about 500 feet, distance from Iaqua Ranch about two miles. Sunday morning, April 6, at daylight, sent out four scouts-two in the direction of Fort Baker, and two in a northeasterly direction to strike Yager Creek above the junction of the streams putting into Yager near Kneeland's Prairie and the Iaqua country. The scouts in the direction of Fort Baker reported at camp 4 p. m. Crossed Yager Creek five miles above the Fort Baker trail; distance traveled, twelve miles. Reports the country very rough and very heavy timber, no sign of Indians having crossed in that direction. Scouts in the direction of Kneeland's Prairie reported at camp at sunset. Crossed the old trail of Indians two miles from camp; trail perhaps four or five days old. Three miles from camp crossed the trail of two Indians traveling in the direction of the Mad River country. Sign fresh, having passed the same day. Passed down to the Yager about one mile above the mouth of Booth's Run. No other fresh sign discovered; distance traveled, thirteen miles. Monday morning, April 7, left camp at 5 a. m. with two non-commissioned officers and twenty-four men. Four inches of snow. Found fresh trail of two Indians as reported by scouts. Followed the trail about one mile; came in sight of two Indians, supposed to be spies; ordered the men to fire; both were killed. Here divided the detachment. Thirteen men under command of Sergeant Reynolds took a direct course for Yager Creek, directly opposite Iaqua Ranch; thirteen men and Sergeant Helon, Captain Akey in command, passed down toward Yager Creek; found four Indian ranches abandoned perhaps four or five days. Coun try very rough. Deep cañons and dense forests skirted Yager Creek a distance of three miles. No fresh Indian signs. Indians evidently on the alert, and moving in direction of Mad River. Arrived in camp 6 p. m.; men very much fatigued. Sergeant Reynolds reports half hour later; numerous trails of Indians, not fresh; but moving back discovered numerous abandoned ranches, a large number of Indians having evidently encamped in this vicinity during the winter. Tuesday morning, April 8, took a circuitous route for Cooper's Mills, marching in a northwesterly direction; surprised a ranch of Indians 3 p. m. Showed no sign of arms having been in their possession; distance from Eel River settlements, two miles; number of Indians, fifteen, including men, women, and children. Two of said Indians were recognized by some of the citizens of Eel River as having been formerly in the employ of white men, and strong suspicious of having given information to the Indians who robbed Cooper's Mills. I find the settlers of the Eel River Valley very much exasperated, and strongly recommend the removing of all Indians from Eel River Valley. Arrived with full detachment at Eel River House 12 m. April 9, Corporal Smart reports having captured nine Indians three miles from Eel River House. Indians apparently tame, but from every information are in communication with the hostile tribes. Corporal Smart reported to me of a ranch of Indians on the east side of Van Dusen's River, distant from camp nine miles. Scout Sergeant Helon, with five men, reported at sunset with seven Indians captured at Eagle Prairie. April 10, arrived at Fort Humboldt with full detachment. Men all well with the exception of one man, shot with carbine in the foot. Total number of Indians captured, 31 [42]-11 bucks, 13 squaws, and 18 children. I cannot speak too highly of the soldierly bearing of the men under my command. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Captain Company E, Second Cavalry California Volunteers. Col. F. J. LIPPITT, Commanding Humboldt Military District. No. 12. Report of Corpl. Charles H. Eaton, Second California Cavalry. COOPER'S MILLS, July 3, 1862. SIR: There was an attack made yesterday about 5 p. m. by a band of Indians armed with rifles, about ten in number, upon the house of Mr. Cutterback, on the Van Dusen Creek, about two miles from this place. On the alarm being given I hastened to their relief as soon as possible with a part of the men under my command. The Indians on seeing us retreated to the woods with but little plunder, injuring no one seriously, Mrs. Cutterback receiving a slight wound from a rifle-ball. Night coming on we were not able to follow them far, therefore I returned to the mills. Respectfully, &c., CHAS. H. EATON, Corporal, Company E, Second Cavalry California Volunteers. Col. F. J. LIPPITT, Commanding Humboldt Military District, at Fort Humboldt. boldt |