The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-19

to the superintendent Of Indian affairs in Oregon,
relating the attack upon and destruction of a
party Of whites by the Port Oxford Indians, We
find in the Oregon Statesman:
DIR. A. Dart, superintendent Of the Indian affairs
for Oregon Territory:
Dear Sir - hasten 10 lay before you the re-
suit of one of the most fatal occurrences that
has taken place within the limits OF Oregon
since It's settlement. Your letter, addressed TO
me under date of August IA, was duly received
proceeded to this place on board the steam
er Sea Gull leaving Portland August Is, and on
the Gath of August, with company of Is per-
sons, took up my line of march for the purpose
of exploring and ascertaining tn. practieability
OF locating road or roads from Port Oxford to
the upper Rogue river country. For the first
three days travel our route was down the coast,
in a southern direction to near the mouth Of
Rogue river. We informed the Indians, whom
We found very numerous, that you would be al
Port Oxford in from fifteen TO twenty five days,
for the purpose of making them presents OF
blankets and clothing, and also treating with
them for their ilihe, Qands) at the same time
making them small presents myself. When
near the mouth of Rogue river while riding
some distance in advance of the company, there
were some manifestations of hostity--two In
dams drawing their bows and presenting their
arrows at me. However, upon raising my gun
to present. they Immediately ran.
From this place our course bore about north
east, until the 3lst of August. Here nine-
the company started on their return to Port Or
ford and the remaining nine continued with me
up the Rogue river, in northeast direction, I'M
til the 7th September, our provision having Civ
en- out, we layed by this day for the purpose of
curing elk meat. Our road up this place lay
over mountains and canyons, densely set with
chapperal (underbrush;) not being able to pro-
coed more than from three to eight miles per
day. From this place could examine the upper
hogue river country sufficiently well to satisfy
myself that we were not more than from twenty
five to thirty miles west Of the Oregon trail,
leading to Chasta mines. Here a consultation
was had, and our scarcity of provisions, well
as the country opening to the north, influenced
by plain Indian trail we were induced to travel
to the north, believing that We could soonest
obtain supplies in that direction.
On Tuesday night, the 9th, we reached The
headwaters of stream flowing into the ocean
al or near Cape Banco. We travelled down it
some distance, through an open country, and on
Wednesday picked up an Indian boy, who acted
as our guide. On Thursday we started in north
ern direction, crossing some low hills, and on
Friday, the 18th, fell on to the southern branch
Of the CoQuille river-Which flows into the
ocean, in latitude about forty three degrees ten
minutes. In passing down the southern brar oh
we had several beautiful views from high points
on the large and beautiful valley of the Co.
guile; which appeared to be generally level
bottom land, densey covered with ash, maple
birch, some oak, and rich vegetable underground
of vines, night shades, &c, such as are produced
in the Missouri or Wabash bottoms. On Sat
urday morning, the 9th, being entirely out OF
provisions, and not having had one quarters al
lOwance for the last several days, it was thought
advisable to abandon our animals, as we could
make but little progress with them, and that,
too, not in a direction SO as to warrant the OBJ
tanning Of any provisions We, therefore, OBJ
tanned Indian canoes and Indians, to transport
us to the mouth of the Coquille river
After passing few miles, we came to the
junction of the south and north forks, which
forms stream about eighty yards wide, where
the tide GIBBS and flows from two to three feet,
at distance of fifty miles from its mouth.
Prom the junction of the forks, the course OF
the river is north of west passing through a
valley from ten to twenty miles wide. During
Saturday night and Sunday, up 10 nine or ten
o'clock, A. M, we descended with rapidity and
ease. When within few miles of the mouth
Of the river, one of the party, Mr.. Heddon, re-
cognized the river to be the Coquille, which
he had RATED in going from Port Oxford TO Ore
gon, 10 Kirkpatrick's company, AMI that the In
dams, which had become very numerous, were
then hostile, and if would be necessary for us
to be on our guard.
We were now in sight of the place where we
intended TO leave the canoes, at the same time
passing several Indian lodges on the right bank,
where vast numbers Of the naked Indians were
promenading the bank. One of our party, whose
name will not here insert. insisted most strenu-
ously that we land on the northern bank at the
largest Indian lodge we had seen, and there get
our breakfast. To this Mr.. Brush and myself
demonstrated. We, however, drew in so near
the bank, that the Indians could reach the side
of the canoe with their hands, while in their ca
noes lying along the shore. They Immediately
grspped our canoe, and refused to let us push off
On one occasion, we succeeded in pushing of
some six or eight feet, but they jumped in and
pulled our canoe to the shore, aud commenced
boarding us, and Selling hold of our arms.
We made one instantaneous rush for the
shore. | think Mr.. Brush fired pistol, the only
one recoect Of hearing. In less than fifteen
seconds we were completely disarmed, as there
were ten Indians 10 one white man in the rem
contre, and not less than from hundred TO
hundred and fifty standing around. In drawing
my six shooter was knocked down. The first
thing remember, was some fifteen Yards in
the river, in swimming water. | looked round,
and saw upon the shore the most awful state of
confusion; it appeared TO be the screams Of
thousands, the sound of blows, the groans and
shrieks of the dying. Al the same time, no
ticed my friend Brush not far distant from me-
in the water and an Indian standing in a canoe
striking him on the head with paddle, causing
the water TO become bloody around him.
Ny attention then directed to a small
canoe, with an Indian lad in It, but short dis.
lance from me. swan to IL; he helped me in
it, put paddle in my hand pointed to the south
err bank and Immediately ran to the other end
Of the canoe. On looking round, ! think saw
him helping my friend Brush TO get into the
canoe, and he Immediately jumped overheard
We then padded for the southern bank of the
river. Upon landing, we succeeded in getting
to shore, then stripped ourselves of our clothing
and crawling upon our bellies up the bank, sue
ceeded in escaping to the Ticket
We then continued, in our naked condition,
travelling south, through the worst of bamnoeks
and dense brars, chapparels, during the day at