The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
FROM OREGoN--THE INDIAN WAR

ROGUE RIVER VALLEY, March 81, 1856
To The Editor Of the National Era:
AS am sending you the names of some new
subscribers, with a cash accompaniment"
avail myself of the opportunity to send You
few lines which may be Of interest if from no
other reason, because of the remoteness of the
locality from which l write.
Jackson county, Oregon Territory in which
is embraced Rogue River Valley, contains a
population of some three thousand inhabitants
1t is the southern extremity of the Territory
and almost isolated from the rest of Oregon.
Rogue River Valley, which contains the prin,
cipal portion of the farming community, is
completely surrounded by Gordon of almost
insurmountable mountains, and is connected
with the Umqua Valley by the main road lead.
ing from the Sacramento Valley, California to
the Willamette Valley, Oregon, which, after
leaving Rogue river, and for distance Of some
forty miles, penetrates a barren mountainous
country, that only admits of a settler at long
intervals, and finally, after deGling through 4
deep gorge or canon in the Umqua mountain
energies into the Umqua Valley.
The nearest accessible point on the Pacific
coast is Crescent City, California, distant one
hundred miles, which is only reached over 4
rough mountainous pack trail, and over which
the heavily laden pack mule groans with his
burden of supplies for miners and farmers
Now, whilst all eyes in 1.-THE States " ara
turned to Kansas, and her citizens are defend
ing themselves against the attacks of the "bOr
der rufans," we here, thus pent up and isola
ted, are defending ourselves against the insid
Gus attacks of a merciless savage foe, who are
menacing our borders, and destroying the lives
and property Of our people.
For the last six months, we have been engaged
in an Indian war, during which time scores Of
our citizens have fallen-some in the conflict Of
battle, and some when least suspecting danger,
have been shot from their horses while riding
alongthe highway, families have been butchered,
and their houses burned over them. Nor does
there seem any more prospect of an end to these
troubles now, than there did three months ago;
in fact, it looks darker, and everything seems
to indicate and bid fair for protracted war.
Within the last few days our troops have had
several skirmishes with the Indians, but have
almost invariably been worsted. In one in
stance the Indians captured some forty horses,
with their equipments; and within the last
few days. they have cut off several large pack
trains, which were loaded with supplies, ammu.
ton, &C., for the Valley.
The force in the field is entirely inadequate
to the successful prosecution of the war. 1t is,
in fact not more than sufficient for the protec.
ton of the settlements. The Indians are well
indeed, than the whites; and
they know how to use them to as good adyan-
tage. They have chosen their retreats in the
Businesses, almost inaccessible to the
whites, and in localities where they can get
subsistence easily, aud from whence they can
sally forth, commit their depredations, and re-
treat unmolested.
1t is obvious that unless we have a force
sufficient to make some offensive demonstra.
tions toward the enemy, that the war must
be protracted to a ruinous length. Many OF
our citizens now have invested their all in fur.
nishing subsistence for the volunteers, and
there is scarcely any one that is not more or
less involved. Unless we have help and that
speedily, our country will be ruined-the CAPT
tai all absorbed, and the war not terminated.
1t would certainly be good policy for Con
gress Immediately to make appropriations to
meet the expense of the war. All supplies are
only obtained at high rates, for the reason that
if the Indebtedness is paid at all, it will be
twelve or eighteen months, at least. Govern
ment is but tardy paynaster at best, and the
people of this country know it to their sorrow,
some of them. Yours, j. W. MCCALL.
We have no doubt our friend speaks of facts,
as he sees them. He does not, however, give
any opinion of the origin of the war, or of the
best mode of terminating it. The settlers ought
to be protected, promptly and energetically;
but the Indians should be treated justly and
wisely, not vindictively.-Ed. Era.
POLITICS IN PENNsYLvANIA-Harr
May l3.-At the Eide State Council this after
noon, President Eide presided. Gen. Small Of.
tered resolutions ratifying the nomination OF
Fillmore and Donelson; denouncing the Admin
stration for repeating the Compromise of 1920;
condemning the Kansas and Nebraska act, &c.
Gov. Johnston offered a substitute, approving
he action of the delegates who retired from the
Philadelphia Convention, aud calling Conven'
lion to meet at New York on the 18th of June.
After debate, the substitute was rejected, and
The resolutions we're adopted, by a vote Of 80 to
%. Gov. Johnston and fourteen other Eide
rat;raH NJ Edia rnouaI m raoopsd-