On twenty-fourth of March just as a small detachment of my com
mand were ready to make an excursion into the adjacent mountains
(from Ten-Mile prairie), a messenger came running, stating that
the Indians were in Carnas valley. Forthwith we repaired to said
place, and found the beautiful little valley enveloped in a cloud of
smoke. The Indians had burned several houses, and killed some
stock, but had retired to the mountains. We followed, found and
chastised them, killing two, and wounding others. They stole nine
of our horses on the rounds.
With the coining of spring the Indians became more active, although the weather was still unusually severe; appearing occasionally in force, but more often in raiding parties, which had the mysterious power of vanishing when the volunteers came in sight, and generally of car rying with them some property not their own. It was only by the organization of independent companies that it was possible to guard the settlements at a distance from headquarters, although detachments were stationed at cer tain points, as at Illinois valley, and at Hayes place in Deer-creek valley. After the massacre at the mouth of Rogue river, and the proclamation of the eleventh of March calling for minute men, John Creighton of Port Orford raised a company for this service, who gave a good account of themselves in the following report:
In consequence of depredations committed by the Coquille Indians deserted from the Port Orford reservation, I called out my company of minute men for the purpose of chastising them, and to induce them to return to the reserve at this place. On the twenty- seventh of March I proceeded to the Coquille river, meeting some Indians on the route, who fired on us and fled. Upon reaching the mouth of that river, I found one tribe of Indians encamped there, and attacked them on the morning of the thirtieth, routing them with the loss on their part of fifteen men, all their canoes, arms, provisions, etc., and took thirty-two women and children prisoners. The latter I have sent to Port Orford, where they have been taken in charge by Mr. Olney, Indian agent at that place. Learning that there was a party of Indians near the forks of the river, I started the same day for that place, and succeeded in killing three men be longing to the " Jackson " tribe, also taking several prisoners, prin cipally squaws and children. Since then I have been in pursuit of others belonging to those tribes and a party of twenty-five from
