the Indians had already taken warning. Another party under Simon Daysey proceeded down the North Yager and into the Red Woods in that quarter. The third, largest, fourteen men strong, and most important, under Corporal Heron, with five days' rations, crossed Mad River from Iaqua Ranch and proceeded up that river while Indian signs rendered success probable and then struck across toward Pilot Creek in the direction of Hay Fork Valley. They did not reach Pilot Creek, but turned to the left and northward, scoured a wide field, and returned by descending Mad River. They were gone five days and a half. The time allotted was so limited that scouting had to be done as the command moved from point to point or not at all. From the camp near Kneeland's Prairie but one party was sent out. This was under charge of Sergeant Wiedemer. The sergeant on his return reported no Indians and no traces of any. The day after Corporal Heron's party united with the main command at Kneeland's Prairie it stormed and continued up to the 27th, two days after the command reached the garrison, so that all further scouting after his return to that point was at an end. I will now proceed to advert to a few incidents of campaigning, quite noticeable on our return, before passing to the contrast to which your instructions invite me. Game.-Between Spruce Grove and Wilburn's place, on Eel River, and especially between main Eel River and Larrabee's Creek, game, particularly deer, is quite plenty, owing mainly to the fact, I suppose, that buckskin hunters, killing deer in contravention of the game laws and for their skins, have not yet, to any great extent, infested that region. Coyotes are quite plenty in the mountains to the south of Larrabee's Valley. Friendly Indians.-A party of these, and belonging to it the prisoner mentioned above, was seen at main Eel River. Their tokens of friendship, and not fleeing from us at our approach, as the guilty most always do, convinced me that they had no hand in the South Fork depredations, and I gave orders not to fire on them. A party of squaws and children was seen gathering clover on the side of a lofty spur to the 'eft of the trail between Eel River and Larrabee's Creek. Only one ran away. Quite a number first and last were seen whose abode was with white men and their services at their control. Larrabee's Valley. This is nothing but a basin in the mountains. In corroboration of this, limbs are found on the ground in the valley, having been broken off by the snow from the trees growing there. Another reason is the slight difference of level between the basin and adjoining mountains. In the summer time the basin is, I expect, a very pleasant locality. Its high level would indicate it cool and refreshing. Scenery on every side picturesque. Respecting its agricultural qualities, it is, I should think, quite fertile and admirably adapted for the cultivation of oats. Here in this apparently lovely valley lived a man about whose qualities I feel myself impelled to speak. I visited the premises on the morning after arriving in the valley. In this one exceptional instance I found truth had been told. I was very much surprised, because I had hitherto found it much rarer than gold. I found everything just as chronicled in the Humboldt Times. I had no conversation with Mr. Larrabee. I do not know that I ever saw the man. I heard no man speak in his favor, or even intimate one redeeming trait in his character. The universal cry was against him. At the Thousand Acre Field and Iaqua Ranch even the woman who was shot and burned to death was condemned for living with such a man. Of most enormities of which he stands accused you are aware. An accomplice and actor in the massacre at Indian Island and South Beach; the murderer of Yo-keel-la-bah; recently engaged in killing unoffending Indians, his party, according to their own story, having killed eighteen at one time (eight bucks and ten squaws and children), and now at work imbruing his hands in the blood of slaughtered innocence, I do not think Mr. Larrabee can be too emphatically condemned. He certainly richly merited his recent losses. Summer and winter campaigning-the contrast.--The surface of the campaigning country is very uneven and exceedingly irregular-here somewhat gradual, there suddenly precipitous; here mountainous, there a deep, impassable gulch; here a branch, there a deep, windy, untraversed chasm or cañon. In the Bald Mountain region lofty peaks, rising much above the ordinary Bald Mountain height, are seen at convenient intervals for watch-towers. At the approach of an enemy Indian spies on these lofty summits, with commendable vigilance and admirable keenness of vision, give the alarm and flee, so that by the time you are looking for them they are lost to view and, perhaps, many miles away. On the western side of the Bald Hills lies a very dense forest, impenetrable in many places, and extending to the Pacific Ocean, familiarly known as the Red Woods, though this appellation has a more limited significance with those who most frequently use it. To the east lies a wide expanse, alternately diversified with dense sidehill forests and bald ridges, stretching for miles away till lost in the dizziness of distance. To the south the Bald Hills terminate in two principal ranges of mountains, covered in the winter season with snow. Northward they sink away into the great Red Wood forest. With this brief survey before us, it will readily be seen how difficult it must be to campaign in such a country successfully or otherwise. The remarks thus far touching campaigning are alike applicable to summer and winter. But, then, is there no difference? Let us see. In the summer the days being much longer and sun rising much earlier, a much earlier start, and consequently a much earlier camp, may be had by both men and train. Another very material consideration is the much greater certainty of progress in going from point to point. Watercourses low, and many perhaps dried up; little or no snow on the mountains to prevent progress. In the summer time there is usually but little rain to make it muddy and disagreeable. Nature herself in the springtime and summer, clad in the freshness of perennial verdure, wears a most pleasing aspect-a hope-inspiring sight and a solace to man desponding of success; but in winter how different the scene, how striking the contrast. In the more elevated regions the impress of death is frequently visible. The little life stirring, all exotic, foreign to the soil that principally, if not entirely, nourishes its existence. Rivers high and swollen, snow on the mountains, melting, together with rain falling, making it muddy, slippery, cold, and disagreeable; piercing winds from long and deep cañons, driving a cold rain with them, only to chill you through, all combine to make one dislike the sport altogether. Winter is the season of storms. When they do come they usually last some time. Defense of officers in the field.-I embrace this opportunity to express my perfect willingness and desire to defend my brother officers and companions in arms right straight through against the taunts, sneers, and slurs of hewgagism, whose principal business is iniquity, and whose loftiest ambition calumniation; against the floating rottenness of filthy tatters; against the surplus filth and scum of outraged society; against the fleeting and shadowy fun of wholesale lying and cracking jokes at the expense of innocence. Personal. Touching the matter of contrasting campaigning in summer and winter, I have been fully alive, and have felt myself unequal to the magnitude of the task. For any further explanations you may desire I can be consulted personally at any time in your convenience. I have the honor to remain, with many assurances, your friend, D. D. LYNN, Second Lieutenant, Sixth Infantry. Capt. CHARLES S. LOVELL, U. S. Army, No. 3. Report of Lieut. Joseph B. Collins, Fourth U. S. Infantry. CAMP NEAR THE HEAD OF LARRABEE CREEK, May 9, 1861. CAPTAIN: In compliance with instructions from department headquarters dated March 6, 1861, I have the honor to submit the following report: Since my report of the 19th ultimo I have attacked two ranches and killed fifteen Indians. The entire country is mountainous, well timbered, watered, and furnishes sufficient grass all the year for large herds of beef cattle and horses; indeed, it is one of the finest mountain grazing countries I have ever seen. I cannot at this time report correctly upon the number of inhabitants, though they are considerable, at least enough to expect protection, and are located over a country of more than fifty miles. In consequence of the serious depredations of the Indians many of the inhabitants have deserted their homes, and been compelled to drive their cattle to the more thickly settled portions of the country, though since some of the Indians have been chastised they are returning and feel more secure in their persons and property. The best position for a post is, in my opinion, on Eel River, near the head of Larrabee Creek, about sixty-five miles southeast from Fort Humboldt. It should be built immediately, and garrisoned by at least one full company, with a sufficient number of mules and riding saddles to mount a party large enough (say thirty) to follow rapidly and chastise all Indians that may commit depredations within fifty miles of it. This I believe will soon put a stop to all depredations and give ample security to the inhabitants and their property. Without a post but little can be accomplished and proper protection is almost impossible. The roads will be good for pack animals during the dry season, and the facilities for building good; that is, for small dry houses. The Indians are always informed that they are punished for committing depredations on the citizens and their property, and that they will be followed and severely chastised until they desist and give some reliable pledge of permitting them to remain and follow their avocations unmolested. As I have no means of subsisting the women and children found in the different ranches, of course they are not detained as prisoners, and lose no time in informing other hostile Indians of my acts. This gives many ranches an opportunity of escaping for the time. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. CHARLES S. LOVELL, Commanding Fort Humboldt, Cal. FEBRUARY 5-17, 1861.-Scouts from Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., and Fort Dalles, Oreg., to the Umatilla River and to Willow and Butter Creeks, Oreg., with skirmishes (8th and 10th) on the Columbia River. REPORTS. No. 1.-Maj. Enoch Steen, First U. S. Dragoons. No. 2.-Bvt. Maj. William N. Grier, First U. S. Dragoons. No. 3.-Lieut. Marcus A. Reno, First U. S. Dragoons. No. 4.—Capt. Joseph H. Whittlesey, First U. S. Dragoons. No. 1. Report of Maj. Enoch Steen, First U. S. Dragoons. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., February 18, 1861. MAJOR: I have the honor to forward, for the information of the general commanding the department, the accompanying reports. I dispatched Major Grier upon receiving the first reliable information of the depredations on Umatilla, Willow, and Butter Creeks, and soon after learning that there were more disturbances at Old Fort Walla Walla I sent a detachment, under Lieutenant Reno, in that direction. Of the five Indians of whom Major Grier was in pursuit, two were apprehended and promptly hung by Lieutenant Reno. The others are now probably with Smoke Hollow, near Priest's Rapids. It is unfortunate that the major did not persist, having them almost within his grasp. Homely, the chief at Old Fort Walla Walla, promises to give information of their return to this vicinity, and will assist with his people in capturing them. I will also keep a close watch upon the actions of disaffected Indians and take immediate steps to put down any disturbances. I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, E. STEEN, Maj. W. W. MACKALL, Major, First Dragoons, Commanding. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal. No. 2. Report of Bot. Maj. William N. Grier, First U. S. Dragoons. FORT WALLA WALLA, WASH. TER., February 14, 1861. SIR: For the information of the commanding officer I have the honor to make the following report of a march made by my company pursuant to Orders, No. 5, dated headquarters Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., February 4, 1861: Pursuant to the above named order I marched from this post on the 5th instant with forty men of my company. On the evening of the 6th was joined at my camp on the Upper Umatilla by the Indian agent (Mr. Abbott), an interpreter, and two Indian guides, who were said to know the precise position of the lodge occupied by the Indians who had been robbing in the white settlements. Next day marched to the Lower Umatilla Crossing, and, after resting and feeding my horses, left the teams in care of ten men (to follow on next day) and marched with thirty men to the banks of the Columbia near the mouth of Umatilla River. Reached that point after dark. As it was totally impracticable to get the horses across the Columbia, I left them on the bank of the river in charge of thirteen men, and by means of two very leaky skiffs managed to get seventeen men across the river by 11 o'clock at night; then proceeded on foot through the rain and darkness, over rocks and hills, desirous to reach the point supposed to be occupied by the Indians before daylight. After marching ten to twelve miles reached the place (about an hour before day) where these Indians were known to have been a day or two before. Made the necessary disposition for surrounding them at break of day. On closing in upon that point, with great disappointment discovered that the occupants had fled, on warning given them (as I afterward learned) by a Walla Walla Indian. Our guides, who were mounted, then moved up the river in search of them, and returned with information that they were in camp some six miles higher up on the Columbia. I then moved up with my weary and foot-sore detachment, the last two miles compelled to move in full view of the Indians, who took the alarm and mounted their horses to make their escape up the river. Just before coming into the range of view from the lodge I put four of my men on the ponies of our guides, and sent them on a circuitous route behind the hills, so as to get onto the river-bank above the lodge. They succeeded in doing so before my men on foot could get up, and met five Indians mounted endeavoring to escape; fired on them, killing one of their horses. The Indians then dismounted and ascended the mountain, the soldiers firing upon them, but without effect. The detachment on foot arrived too late-after the Indians had got out of reach. Captured six or seven horses and two saddles. On one of the saddles found a pair of saddle-bags containing a pocket-book and other articles said to have been stolen from a Mr. Grover, one of the settlers on Butter Creek or Willow Creek. The captured property was taken charge of by Mr. Abbott with a view to return it to the owners when called for. I then returned, and succeeded in recrossing the Columbia and joined my camp soon after dark on same day. Next day (the 9th) returned to Lower Umatilla Crossing, at the same time sent a message to the occupants of some fifteen to twenty lodges scattered along the right bank of the Columbia between the mouth of Umatilla River and Willow Creek. These Indians were directed to move at once to their reserves, and next morning proceeded to do so, a portion of them moving toward the Simcoe Reservation, where they belonged, and the others crossing to this side of the Columbia to come to the Umatilla Reservation. I then returned with my command, reaching this post to-day. Total distance traveled, about 180 miles. Very respectfully, Lieut. J. WHEELER, Jr., WM. N. GRIER, Brevet Major, Captain, First Dragoon Post Adjutant, Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter. No. 3. Report of Lieut. Marcus A. Reno, First U. S. Dragoons. FORT WALLA WALLA, February 14, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience to instructions I left this post February 9, 1861, with Company E, First Dragoons, and proceeded to the Columbia River, encamping near the place where the Indians of whom I was in pursuit had been last seen. Immediately |