The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-04-24
TIE RoGUR RIVER WAR.
tFrom the Crescent cssy Herald. March l2 !,

y
Through the politeness of DR.. Holton, who
arrived on the Republic from the Fort at the
mouth of Rogue river, via Port Oxford, we
learn that in attempting to open q communi-
cation between Port Oxford and that place by
sea, whaleboat was capsized, containing eight
men from Port Oxford, six of whom were
drowned, the other two succeeded in getting
into the Fort -- -
At the time the Doctor left (6th inst. they
had succeeded in redeeming Mrs. Geisell
daughter, and infant about five weeks old
her husband and three sons having been killed
in the attack of the 22d of February.
On the I'd instant five white men and one
negro left the Fort for the purpose of securing
some potatoes that were not destroyed by the
fire at the mouth of the river and although
well armed were cut off and every man killed
since which time no persons have ventured to
leave the Fort, forty men being kept on guard
day and night. ], he whole number of persons
in the Fort being 96 men Give wounded)
women, and II children.
Old Enos is the leader Of the savages, who
boasts with others, that they have plenty Of
ammunition and arms. and only sold Mrs
Geisell and her family to the whites from the
fact that they soon expected to take the Fort
with all inmates, and establish an Indian town
upon its ruins.
Only about 60 guns are in the Fort, and the
supplies are reduced to about six days ration.
The Indians have made three attacks, but
were repulsed each time, tossing some few oi
their number, but they have not, as yet, made
general charge; and from lack of number no
sally has been made from the Fort.
AS no communication is kept up between
the parties, they learned from Mrs. Geisell
(who was a prisoner with the Indians for nine
days, all further particulars respecting their
views anil intentions. She states that the In
dians are very sanguine that they will entire
ly overcome the whites and secure their inl-
mediate possession of the Fort, as it is supplied
by small running stream, which the Indians
threatened to cut off, but which, as yet, has
not been done. A communication is kept
open with the beach, distance of some four
teen yards, from which place they secure
their tlewood The Doctor left the Fort as
messenger to Fort Oxford, by means ofa whale
boat from that place.
Tie Republic on her return trip landed al
Port Oxford some seventy-two regular troops
which added to the forty-two landed by the
Columbia as she went up, and those already
stationed there, amounts to 175. These troops
are under the command of Maj. Reynolds, who
SSuI OlSpdICil W OOl' DuCHNiidAi iOA bAC pun
pose of securing his CO. operation. ..3
Mrs. Geisell and her infant were received il
exchange for two squaws, who were prisoners
in the hands of the whites. Her daughter wa
purchased at something of cost. At th'
time Of capturing Mrs. Geisell on the night O
the 22d of February her hands were tied be
hind, and was compelled to witness the mur
der of her husband and children, as well a
the most savage mutiliation of their bodies al
ter death, when she was conducted to like hor
rible scenes upon the persons ofmany of he
friends and neighbors.
A house containing six of the volunteer
was attacted at daylight, and not until the al
ternoon were all the inmates slain.
Five of the volunteers got into the fort
some Of them having their feet frozen, and ex
listing without food for five days.
The whole loss of the whites is about 2
killed and five wounded. The names of tn
wounded are James Hunt, Edwin Wilson, \
/ B. Gregory, George Basset, and one name un
| known. G =