New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-28
OREGON.
GREAT INDIAN OUTBREAK ON THE ROGUE
RIVER.


RIVER.
THIRTY SETTLERS AND THEIR FAMILIES KILLED.
BY the schooner Ellen, which arrived here Feb. 20,
90 hours from Crescent City, we have startling news
of murderous ravages committed by the Indians at the
mouth Of the Rogue River upon the white settlers and
their families. An Extra bearing date 25th Feb
ruary Of The Crescent CITY Herald gives the follow
ing particulars on the subject:
Yesterday Sunday morning, we were favored with
the perusal of letter written by Robert Smith, set
tier up the coast, to Mr. Miller living in the neighbor
hood Of Whaeshead informing the latter that on the
22d Fed, while Vim. Hensly and Mr.. Nolan were
driving some horses toward Rogue River, two shots
were fred at them by Psto River Indians. Mr. Hensly
bad two of bis fingers shot off, beside receiving several
buck shot wounds in his face The horses fell into the
hands of the Indians.
The letter also contains q request to urge forward
from Crescent City any volunteers that may have
been enlisted
From +. H. Pratt, esq., resident at the mouth OF
Rogue River, who arrived last night IN the schooner
Gold Beach we received the startling news that the
Indians in that district have united with party OF
the hostile Indians above, and commenced war OF
determination against the white settlers.
The station at Big Bend, some fifteen miles up the
river. having been abandoned several weeks previ-
Gus, the Indians made sudden attack on Saturday
morning, February 20, upon the farms about four
miles above the mouth, where some ten or twelve
men of Capt. Polsnd's company OF volunteers were
encamped, the remainder OF the company Deing ao-
sent attending ball Oh the 22d at the mouth OF Rogue
River
The fight is stated to have lasted nearly the whole
of Saturday and but few Of the whites escaped 10 teH
the story. The farmers were all killed. 80
1t is supposed there now about 300 hostile In
dians in the field including those from Grave and Cal
sise Creek and the Big Meadows. They are led by
Canada Indian, named Enos, who was formerly d ID
yorite guide for Col Fremont in his expedition.
LIST or KILLED.-Capt Ben Wright, IL. braun,
+. W. Howe, Mr. Wagoner Barney Castle, George
McClusky, Mr.. Lara, w. k. TuLIs, capt. John 70 ro-
land, Mr. Smith, Mr.. Seaman, Mr. Warner John
Gerell and three children, L. McCohough, % Helu'
rick Joseph SenOc and two sons. . a.
BE- -ides three or -four names unknown, Mrs. GelseH
and daughter are prisoners, ana IN the hands Oi tne
McanO band Of Indians about eight miles up the RIVER
Dr. NJ. c. White escaped by jumping INTO fuca Creek,
and secretiDg himself under pile OF drft-wood re-
naming there for an hour and half and until the In
diaIs had given up the search.
The inhabitants at the mouth OF Rogue River nave
all moved TO the north side Of the rver, where ior'
merly, under the apprehension of sudden attack,
iort had been erected. They number about $50 men,
having less than hundred guns among them;
The schooner God Beach left yesterday leundaay
morning at 81 o'clock, and il 10 supposed tnat nSn
commenced at daylight, there was party gons -
cr to the south side fthe river, where they expected
10 find the whole body Of the Indians. Al Suni7'
sverytbing ON the south side was in hatnes. q,
TLe stores of Coburn s. Warwick, +. ii. Pratt and
w A T-rton were probably all destroyed
NJ pratt s,ates that according to the census taken
last Snrng there are 335 warriors IN the olsuct lhey
ere IN engaged in the fight, except the Cateoes ana
p;s,l PivpT Indians who number about co. The num-
bep of IHdian from above OF out of the district is be-
tween 90 and 90. c.p
Upon the death of the Sub.Indian Agent Capt: Ben
Wright. Mr. J. McGuire assumed the duties oi SUD
Indian Agent. c,
boat was dispatched a. early "a Saturday evening
TO Port Oxford to inform Maj. Reynolds, in command
Of that post, Of the occurrence.
As matter of reference for those not acquainted
with tie localities, give the following table oil diS
tauoes Up the beach:
Frcn. Crescent City 20 Smith Riyer..... .rniles.b
To Winchuck Creek.....'.'....'.'......'n miles. =
miles u