Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/350

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CHAPTER III.

SMALL MILITARY FORCE OF THE PACIFIC AFFAIRS OF THE INDIAN SUPERINTENDENCY THE TREATY OF WALLA WALLA CONDUCT OF THE CHIEFS AT THE COUNCIL SPEECH OP CAYUSE HEAD CHIEF THE INFLUENCE OF LAWYER OPPOSITION OF KAMIAKIN TREATY SIGNED RENEWAL OF TROUBLES IN SOUTHERN OREGON- MURDERS VOLUNTEER COMPANIES AND REGULARS DISAGREE TROUBLES ON THE COQUILLE MURDER OF TRAVELERS IN ROGUE-RIVER AND UMPQUA VALLEYS THE LUPTON AFFAIR MASSACRES OF OCTOBER NINTH DEATH OF MRS. WAGONER BRAVERY OF MRS. HARRIS ARMING OF THE PEOPLE HOSTILITIES GENERAL THE NINTH REGIMENT BATTLE OF SKULL BAR MORE MURDERS GUARDING ROADS AND SETTLEMENTS BATTLE OF HUNGRY HILL CONDUCT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS BY THE SUPERINTENDENT THE GOVERNOR CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS NINTH REGI MENT DISBANDED NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN BATTALIONS CONSOLIDATION INTO THE SECOND REGIMENT OF OREGON MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS REGULARS ASSIST THE TERRITORIAL FORCES ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE "THE MEADOWS" FIGHT OF ALCORN ON LITTLE BUTTE CREEK FIGHT OF RICE ON ROGUE RIVER BATTLE OF "THE CABINS" FIGHT ON APPLEGATE CREEK BY BRUCE, O NEAL, AND ALCORN THANK LESS SERVICE NORTHERN COMPANIES DISCHARGED RECRUITS CALLED FOR.

THE total military force in the department of the Pacific at the expiration of 1854 was twelve hundred, dragoons, infantry, and artillery, of which three hundred and thirty-five were stationed in Oregon and Washington. But others were under orders for the Pacific coast. The army bill had failed to pass in Congress, and only through smuggling a section into the appropriation bill providing for two more regiments of cavalry and two of infantry, was any increase in the army made possible. This was accom plished by the delegation from the Pacific; and it was further provided that arms should be distributed to the militia of the territories, according to the act of 1808, arming the militia of the states. No other or special pro vision was made for the defense of the northwest territories, and this was the military situation at the beginning of 1855.

It should be noted before entering upon the recital of the events of this year that the superintendent of Indian affairs, Palmer, was able in the month of October preced ing to assure the tribes with whom he had made treaties

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