crossing that river (which will be high till the middle of May) with pack animals. This detachment being rationed only to the 1st of May, I have sent provisions to the camp above indicated, and upon the return of my pack train I shall proceed to execute the order contained in your letter of March 12. All the streams throughout the country in which I am directed to operate are still high, owing to the unusual quantity of snow now covering the mountains, and it will be impracticable to operate to advantage before the 1st of May. Very respectfully, your most obedient, EDWARD DILLON, Second Lieutenant, Sixth Infantry, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., April 16, 1861. Maj. W. W. MACKALL, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Dept. of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.: MAJOR: Superintendent Geary has just returned from the Nez Percé Reservation, where he has succeeded in making a very satisfactory arrangement with the Indians in reference to the mining region. The Nez Percés agree to yield to the miners the country north of Clear Water, and allow them the right of travel on the trail to the ferry near Red Wolf's Crossing of Snake River, the only stipulation of the Indians being that the remainder of their country shall be protected from the encroachments of the whites. This is but fair, seeing that they have been promised no compensation, and therefore, upon the request of Mr. Geary, who urges the necessity of the movement, I shall send Captain Smith's company to the reservation probably by the 22d of the month. The distance is not greater than 100 miles, and the company can be recalled in a few days if their services are needed elsewhere. The horses will thrive on the rich bunch grass which abounds in that region, and, moreover, the presence of troops will give confidence to the Indians, who have always placed great reliance upon the military. I think that if Company H, First Dragoons, now at Fort Dalles, could be sent to re-enforce Captain Smith, that the presence of the squadron in that country during the summer would effectually prevent any disturbance. The Nez Percés have always been, and are now, disposed to yield a great deal and remain friendly, provided the Government shows a disposition to uphold them in their rights; but if this is not done I fear there will be trouble. I would beg leave to offer a suggestion with regard to the summer's operations on the emigrant road. The subjugation of the Snakes, so effectually as to bring them to sue for peace, would require a large and expensive force, perhaps ten or twelve companies, necessarily requiring a large num ber of citizen employés as packers, herders, guides, &c., and the result would not be certain, as their country affords great facilities for concealment and escape. The remaining squadron of dragoons, with a company of infantry from this post, would keep the Indians from their fisheries all summer and afford ample protection to whatever emigrants may come across; besides, the expense would be almost nothing. For a force of that size nearly all the packing and work could be done by soldiers. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 30 RR-VOL L, PT I to ask that my successor may be appointed and ordered to relieve me as soon as practicable. With great respect, your obedient servant, A. S. JOHNSTON, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC, Capt. C. S. LOVELL, Sixth Infantry, Commanding Fort Humboldt, Cal.: SIR: Your letter of March 24 [23] has been submitted to the general commanding. He is pleased to hear that the reported depredations by the Indians have been greatly exaggerated, and therefore that there is better prospect of complete protection from the guides and troops now at your disposal. Your orders to Lieutenant Lynn are approved-the duty imposed on you by the general in the prompt pursuit of the actual depredators in each case and their punishment, but no indiscriminate slaughter of the guilty with the innocent. Knowing that killing women and children by the troops in retaliation for injuries inflicted by the Indian bands would not be resorted to by the officers or soldiers of the Army he gave no orders in the case. It may be frequently the case that two, three, or four men will form a sufficient party, if led by competent guide, and it was on this account that he gave four or five to each detachment. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General. FORT BRAGG, CAL., April 15, 1861. Maj. W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, San Francisco, Cal.: SIR: I have the honor to report that, in consequence of complaints made by the citizens of Long Valley against Indians in that neighborhood, I have ordered the detachment now in Round Valley to take a position on Eel River and equidistant from Round, Long, and Eden Valleys. The sergeant in command has been directed to dislodge the Indians in that vicinity, giving protection generally to the citizens and their property. This arrangement enables me to supply the detachment more readily, as it brings it nearer to this post and on the left bank of Eel River, thus avoiding the almost insuperable difficulty of See p. 6. crossing that river (which will be high till the middle of May) with pack animals. This detachment being rationed only to the 1st of May, I have sent provisions to the camp above indicated, and upon the return of my pack train I shall proceed to execute the order contained in your letter of March 12. All the streams throughout the country in which I am directed to operate are still high, owing to the unusual quantity of snow now covering the mountains, and it will be impracticable to operate to advantage before the 1st of May. Very respectfully, your most obedient, EDWARD DILLON, Second Lieutenant, Sixth Infantry, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., April 16, 1861. Maj. W. W. MACKALL, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Dept. of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.: MAJOR: Superintendent Geary has just returned from the Nez Percé Reservation, where he has succeeded in making a very satisfactory arrangement with the Indians in reference to the mining region. The Nez Percés agree to yield to the miners the country north of Clear Water, and allow them the right of travel on the trail to the ferry near Red Wolf's Crossing of Snake River, the only stipulation of the Indians being that the remainder of their country shall be protected from the encroachments of the whites. This is but fair, seeing that they have been promised no compensation, aud therefore, upon the request of Mr. Geary, who urges the necessity of the movement, I shall send Captain Smith's company to the reservation probably by the 22d of the month. The distance is not greater than 100 miles, and the company can be recalled in a few days if their services are needed elsewhere. The horses will thrive on the rich bunch grass which abounds in that region, and, moreover, the presence of troops will give confidence to the Indians, who have always placed great reliance upon the military. I think that if Company H, First Dragoons, now at Fort Dalles, could be sent to re-enforce Captain Smith, that the presence of the squadron in that country during the summer would effectually prevent any disturbance. The Nez Percés have always been, and are now, disposed to yield a great deal and remain friendly, provided the Government shows a disposition to uphold them in their rights; but if this is not done I fear there will be trouble. I would beg leave to offer a suggestion with regard to the summer's operations on the emigrant road. The subjugation of the Snakes, so effectually as to bring them to sue for peace, would require a large and expensive force, perhaps ten or twelve companies, necessarily requiring a large num ber of citizen employés as packers, herders, guides, &c., and the result would not be certain, as their country affords great facilities for concealment and escape. The remaining squadron of dragoons, with a company of infantry from this post, would keep the Indians from their fisheries all summer and afford ample protection to whatever emigrants may come across; besides, the expense would be almost nothing. For a force of that size nearly all the packing and work could be done by soldiers. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 30 RR-VOL L, PT I SPECIAL ORDERS, } HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC, 3. Maj. William S. Ketchum, Fourth Infantry, is assigned to the command of Fort Townsend, Wash. Ter. Transportation for his horses will be furnished by the quartermaster's department. 4. Maj. George A. H. Blake, First Dragoons, is assigned to the command of Fort Crook, Cal. Transportation for his horses will be furnished by the quartermaster's department. By command of Brigadier-General Johnston: SPECIAL ORDERS, No. W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC, The pontoons will be stored at Fort Point, and turned over to the chief engineer. The quartermaster will furnish the transportation. By command of Brigadier-General Johnston: Maj. W. W. MACKALL, W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General. FORT GASTON, CAL., April 20, 1861. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Dept. of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.: MAJOR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the general commanding the department, that in consequence of Indian troubles existing in the valley, on the 8th instant I sent for the head Indian chiefs of all the ranches in this valley and informed them that they must deliver up to me all the fire arms in their possession, and I gave them four days to bring them to this post. On the day appointed several of the chiefs came to the post bringing a few rifles. Learning from an Indian who had had some considerable difficulty with some others of his race that there [were] more among the tribes, I dismissed the chiefs, informing them that I was aware they had more arms in their possession, and if they were not brought in at once I would send the men of my command over and take them. For several days the Indians came in, one or two at a time, bringing their arms, until I think I have them nearly all collected from these Indians that live in this valley. The excitement among the Indians has been great, and they seemed disposed not to surrender their guns without a struggle, inasmuch as these arms are their greatest wealth. Although I did not apprehend an attack from the Indians, I took the necessary precaution by issuing ammunition to my men and doubling my guards. I think that so long as a considerable force remains here there will be no trouble with the Hoopas for some time; but should the troops (or a large portion of them) be withdrawn from here I am apprehensive that the Indians may commit depredations upon the property of the whites. The white inhabitants of this valley are much excited, and from their long acquaintance with the Hoopa Indians apprehend trouble. The citizens of the valley are at present engaged building a block-house, and I know if these troops be withdrawn the families will leave the valley for the bay. After delivering up their arms the Indians living in two of the principal ranches on the Trinity River left the valley, taking with them most of their arms, a supply of provisions, and all their movable goods. The whites feel insecure without the presence of a large military force, and many families speak of moving should the troops, or any considerable number of them, be ordered out of the valley. From all the information I can gain, there are at least 1,500 Indians living within a circle of ten miles from this valley, whilst the white population amounts only to about thirty men, of whom three have families. The principal chief is disposed to friendship. The last lot of arms brought in to me numbered some seven or eight. Some thirty Indians were with the old Mowhema at the time. The old man said he did not wish to fight, he was too old. He wanted to be buried where all his tribe were buried. He tries to control the younger bucks, but I am sorry to say with but little success. I would communicate more fully upon the state of Indian affairs in this valley, but owing to my bad health I am hardly able to attend to the duties either of the bureau or field. For several days past I have hardly been able to leave my room. I am the only commissioned officer with this command, and there is no physician, either civil or military, residing nearer this post than Arcata, Humboldt Bay, about forty miles distant. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Captain, Fourth Infantry, Commanding Post. OFFICE SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Col. GEORGE WRIGHT, U. S. Army, Portland, Oreg., April 20, 1861. Commanding District of Oregon, Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter.: DEAR SIR: I inclose you herewith a copy of an agreement made with the Nez Percé Indians in regard to the occupation of a part of their reservation by the whites for mining purposes. The existence of extensive deposits of gold in the Nez Percé country is now placed beyond conjecture. Hundreds of white men are already in their country, and daily accessions will soon swell the number to thousands. This is inevitable, and the agreement entered into with these Indians was the only measure left me for preserving the peace of the country and protecting this tribe, which has ever been so faithful to our Government, from the fearful evils arising from the presence among them of a mining population. Many of the chiefs seemed fully aware of the evils arising from the presence of the miners, and their strenuous opposition to their presence was only overcome by assuring them that military force would be provided for the preservation of order to aid the agent in executing the intercourse laws, and prevent the aggression of the miners on the inhabited portion of their reservation. I have therefore earnestly to press the importance of having a proper military force without delay placed so as to protect the whole reservation from the intrusion of whisky traders, and from the beginning to aid the agent in enforcing the laws regulating trade and intercouse in the Indian country. I would regard dragoons as the most efficient class of troops for the service required, and am satisfied that a squadron could be maintained in the vicinity of these mines at an expense to the Government little greater than that required should they remain in garrison. There will be little difficulty in obtaining abundant supplies of |