encamped in the valley for the night. Including the run after the Indians, we traveled over sixty miles to-day. August 6, there being some cattle scattered all over the valley, I sent small escorts with the owners to collect them together, after which we proceeded with them (176 head) toward Round or Big Valley. On the way one of the citizens accidentally shot one of our horses. August 7, believing the cattle and citizens out of danger, and also believing that the various Indian tribes all around here had been engaged in this affair, and that each had made off to the interior of the mountains with his share of the spoils, I concluded to take a northeast direction, and wherever I would come across an Indian trail with cattle tracks to follow it up. About noon I came to a very pretty little valley, with water and grass, suitable for a camp. Here we halted, and having seen sev eral cattle and Indian tracks, I sent several scouts out, who returned toward evening without success. Bugler Arnold having been sick all along, I sent him back to the post this morning with the citizens. August 8, marched southeast. About 10 a. m. struck an Indian trail; followed up northeast for about two miles; came on a very large Indian rancheria, which seemed to have been abandoned about one day since, and temporarily arranged for about 150 Indians. We kept on up the mountains; crossed, and came toward evening to a small valley, where we found near a deserted Indian rancheria fifteen head of cattle. We also found a large cattle trail. It being late we had to camp. August 9, took up the cattle and Indian trail (eastern direction); followed it through the mountains for eight or nine miles; took a northeast direc tion; passed a lake, where the Indians with cattle must have camped. Followed on the trail over a very rocky country; came on the edge of the mountain overlooking a very large valley, on the South Fork of Pitt River. Saw some cattle at a distance and a number of Indians scattering in all directions. Got in the valley and made for their rancheria, at the mouth of a cañon. Here the Indians sent off their women and children, and about 100 warriors paraded. The rocky country compelled us to dismount and attack them on foot, but before we came within shot distance, all of them ran up the cañon. Our pursuit was fruitless. Here I found over fifty head of cattle killed and the beef hung up to dry. I burned all I could find belonging to the Indians. Here we encamped. August 10, having over 100 head of cattle, it was impossible for me to follow the Indians-more so as we were out of provisions-therefore I struck for home. On the way home I found about fifty head of cattle more. Camped on Pitt River. August 11, followed the Pitt River down and encamped at the mouth of Pitt River Cañon. August 12, citizens and cattle being out of danger, I started ahead and arrived at sunset at the post. On the way I found in the Big Valley all the grass on fire; also the mountains dividing the Big Valley from Fall River Valley; also a house burned down at Ralf's Crossing, on Pitt River. Since my arrival I learn that one of the men who got wounded died; also four horses, which fully proves that the arrows were poisoned I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN FEILNER, Second Lieutenant, First Dragoons, U. S. Army. Second Lieut. J. H. KELLOGG, First Dragoons, Commanding Fort Crook, Cal. AUGUST 8-9, 1861.-Attack on Emigrant Train near the Great Salt Lake, Utah, Ter. Report of Lieut. Eugene M. Baker, First U. S. Dragoons. Capt. R. C. DRUM, HEADQUARTERS, Fort Churchill, Nev. Ter., September 10, 1861. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Dept. of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.: SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of Lieut. E. M. Baker, First Dragoons, who was detached from this post on the 6th of September, 1861, for the purpose of meeting and relieving a party of emigrants who were robbed by the Indians this side of Salt Lake. According to the statement of Mr. S. M. Harriman, in charge of the train, to me, the train consisted of 74 persons, 11 wagons, 89 head of work cattle, 5 horses, and 2 mules, which was the total number of the party when attacked. The total number brought into this post was 54, viz, 22 men, 13 women, and 19 children. The train was attacked on the night of the 8th of August, and abandoned on the morning of the 9th of August, 1861. Almost daily emigrant trains are passing in want of provisions, and I have issued such quantities necessary to carry them to the settlements, and for which I would ask the approval of the general commanding the department. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. A. H. BLAKE, Lieutenant-Colonel First Dragoons, Commanding Post. FORT CHURCHILL, NEV. TER., September 10, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to state that in compliance with orders dated headquarters Fort Churchill, September 6, 1861, I proceeded with a detachment, consisting of one non commissioned officer and ten men, and a wagon containing provisions, for the purpose of assisting such emigrants as were absolutely in need of it. I found about thirty miles from this post (on the Carson River) a party of emigrants, about fifty in number, who had been attacked and robbed of everything (except what they had on their backs) about sixty-five miles northeast of Salt Lake. They stated that the party who attacked them were Indians, commanded by white men. They were attacked on the night of the 8th of August, and lost all their animals on the night of the 9th. They had since walked the whole distance to the Carson River, receiving such assistance from other trains as they were able to give them. I distributed 400 pounds of flour, 300 pounds of pork, 26 pounds of rice, 44 pounds sugar, 60 pounds coffee, and 1 quart of salt, which, with the assistance received from the citizens of Virginia and Carson Cities, will be sufficient to last them until they reach their destination. The women and children belonging to the party were brought to this post, and have since gone on to Carson and Virginia. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. Col. G. A. H. BLAKE. AUGUST 15–22, 1861.-Expedition from Fort Crook to the Pitt River, Cal., with skirmish (19th) near Kellogg's Lake, Cal. Report of Lieut. John Feilner, First U. S. Dragoons. Capt. R. C. DRUM, FORT CROOK, CAL., August 25, 1861. Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, San Francisco, Cal.: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to inclose Lieutenant Feilner's report. As I have but twenty-eight horses now in the company altogether, it is impossible to do anything with these Indians this fall. In case that I get horses to fill up company complement, I will go over with the company when the first snow falls. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, OGG, J. H. KELLOGG, Second Lieutenant, First Dragoons, Commanding. FORT CROOK, CAL., August 23, 1961. SIR: In compliance with Post Order, No. -, headquarters Fort Crook, Cal., August 14, 1861, I left this post August 15, 1861, with two non-commissioned officers and twenty-seven men of Company F, First Dragoons, and Mr. Pugh as guide, in a northeast direction to retake the cattle taken by the various Indian tribes east and north of this post, and punish those Indians. The first day, August 15, I marched into Big or Round Valley and encamped on the eastern side, on Sage Hen Creek. Thirty miles; plenty of wood, grass, and water. August 16, marched east. About noon I saw several Indian spies to the right and left on the mountains. I sent two parties in pursuit. The mountains being very rocky and brushy, the Indians easily kept out of shot range and escaped. We encamped in Mercer's Valley, east side. This valley is well watered by a number of springs, forming a considerable creek, which takes, after leaving the valley on the northwest side, an almost westerly course, emptying into Sage Hen Creek, then into Pitt River, in Big or Round Valley. Twenty-five miles. August 17, started in a northeast direction, across the mountains; found all along abundance of grass, wood, and water (springs), and plenty signs of Indians. About 11 a. m. came in sight of a large valley extending northwest to southeast. On the west side, by a spring and plenty of grass, we found tracks of about fifteen head of cattle; also ponies' tracks. Taking a north-northeast course toward the South Fork of Pitt River, we tracked them until evening, when we lost them in the rocky country. The valley last spoken of is poorly supplied with water and grass. We encamped on South Fork of Pitt River. Thirty miles; plenty of wood, water, and grass. August 18, found cattle trail again; also another where about 200 head must have passed. Followed in a southeast direction across the moun tains, and came, after about three hours' travel, to a little flat with plenty of grass and a little spring. Here we found that the Indians had camped and butchered about twenty-five head of cattle. About forty or fifty horses must have been in camp at this place, and it seems that the beef was taken away on pack animals in different directions, some toward Willow Creek, emptying in Susan River; some toward Smoke Creek, emptying into Lower Mud Lake. About twenty head of cattle were driven by about twenty or twenty-five horsemen toward the head of McNemany River. Without doubt they were Pah-Ute Indiansthe more so as I had learned by Indians before I started that the Upper Pitt River Valley Indians had given to the Pah-Utes ten squaws and a reasonable share of cattle to allow them to go to their country, and if necessary to protect them. Here the cattle having been driven in every direction forward and backward, it took us several hours to find the right direction. Taking northeast again to the head of South Fork of Pitt River, about 3 p. m. we saw about fifteen Indians crossing said creek two miles distant. We pursued them in two parties. Seeing us in pursuit, they fired signal shots, their camp being then about one mile farther of. The nature of the country did not allow us to pursue them in a direct course, and we had to travel at least six miles before we came to their now deserted camp. Here we found a large quantity of beef hung up on the trees to dry; also a large quantity of Indian clothing, &c. Judging by the size of the camp, there must have been over 300 persons. I left here one part of the command to burn the rancheria, &c. The other part of the command I divided into two parties and pursued the Indians, but we all returned after sunset without success, and encamped on the head of the South Fork of Pitt River, ten miles farther up from the camp of yesterday. Traveled over sixty miles to-day. August 19, we followed the Indian trail in a northwest direction for about eight miles, when we came to a little lake (Kellogg's Lake) about half a mile square. Here the scattered tracks took toward the Basaltic Desert, but finding still cattle tracks in a northwest direction we followed, and came after six miles' travel to a large valley watered by a creek coming from east and by another from north, both joining on the west side and forming a large-size stream. This ought to be called the South Fork of Pitt River. It joins the so called South Fork after leaving this valley, taking a west course for about six or eight miles through a rough and steep cañon. Toward evening we came in sight of another rancheria on a high bluff. These Indians I understand were Goose Lake Indians. These Indians, acquainted with the country, knowing their almost perfect safety, awaited our approach within a mile, being separated by the creek and steep bluffs. I fired at them at a distance from 800 to 1,000 yards, and can say with certainty that several of the Indians got wounded. Two Indians answered the firing, and I must say directed their shots well. Several balls fell amongst us. We had to remove the horses. Half of the command I had sent through the brush and rocks to get on the opposite side and rear of the Indians, the only place to approach them; but the Indians found this movement out in time and ran off. Pursuit on horseback was impossible, and on foot we were left far behind. The sun was setting and further pursuit impossible the more so as the whole command for the last few days was day and night engaged in the most fatiguing marches. encamped on this creek on the southeast side of a large valley. Marched about sixty miles. Having collected forty-two head of cattle, and seeing that it was impossible at present to get at the Indians, they being constantly on their guard, I started, August 20, homeward. Crossed the mountains between Pitt River and South Fork of Pitt River; thirty miles. August 21, marched down Pitt River and encamped on the north side of Big or Round Valley; twenty-five miles. August 22, arrived at this post; thirty-two miles. As far as I could learn, those two tribes of Indians that I came across were the Upper Pitt River Valley and Goose Lake Indians. The nature of the country where those Indians are at present requires several large parties to We puuish them. The most of the cattle are killed, finding almost on every tree on top of the mountains beef hung up to dry. The forty-two head of cattle collected I turned over to one of the cattle owners. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN FEILNER, Second Lieutenant, First Dragoons, U. S. Army. Lieut. J. H. KELLOGG, First Dragoons, Commanding Fort Crook, Cal. SEPTEMBER 25-OCTOBER 5, 1861.-Expedition from San Bernardino to the Temecula Ranch and Oak Grove, Cal. REPORTS. No. 1.-Maj. W. Scott Ketchum, Fourth U. S. Infantry. No. 1. Report of Maj. W. Scott Ketchum, Fourth U. S. Infantry. HEADQUARTERS, Camp near San Bernardino, Cal., October 7, 1861. SIR: The attention of the general commanding the department is respectfully called to such portions of the inclosed report as embrace e names of Morgan, Grooms, Greenwade, and Cline, secessionists, vable, a Union man; also that portion relating to Jack Hays. Mor , at Temecula, Knight of the Golden Circle, and secessionist, states that e ght men were detailed from an organization of 300 men to seize the arms sent to Los Angeles for the Union men, or home guards, but some of the men backed out, consequently the arms were not seized. Had the arms been seized my camp was to have been attacked. Ferguson, said to be a lieutenant in Kelly's band, gave Morgan this information. This confirms the report made to me by the Union men prior to the election. I understand that a law has been passed to prevent conspiracies and to punish conspirators, but I have received nothing of the kind, or, in fact, anything official from the War Department since General Orders, No. 43, of this year, or any general order from Army Headquarters since General Orders, No. 11, 1861. I judge from the map inclosed that Cable's, or its vicinity, would be a good station for troops to look after and capture secessionists, if accompanied by a U. S. marshal and some authority for the capture. There should be a large command of foot and horsemen somewhere between the desert and this place with full powers to act. Supplies could be furnished from New San Diego, which should have a sufficient force to escort the trains containing supplies, defend the depot, and operate toward Lower California. I have been told that there is a wagon road from Temecula, via San Luis Rey, to San Diego; distance about sixty-five or seventy miles. There is another wagon road from San Diego to Warner's ranch, distance about the same as above, but as it crosses the San Pasqual Mountain, it is difficult to travel in wet weather. The San Pasqual Mountain is very high, and the road on the west side very narrow, very steep, and much washed or full of gullies. From what I |