C. S. Drew to Idaho Ter, July 25, 1864

July 25, 1864, detachment of Company D left Camp Johns, near Susanville, Cal., at 6 a. m. (Lieutenant Littlefield in command) for Unionville, on the Humboldt River; traveled forty miles over dry and dusty plains; arrived at Mud Springs at 6 p. m. Good water and hay for horses. July 26, left Mud Springs at 6 a. m.; arrived at Smoke Creek Station at 10.30 a. m. Good water and hay for stock. Took in Government grain for horses, and purchased beef for men. Heavy showers of rain during the night. July 27, left Smoke Creek at 5 a. m.; watered at Buffalo Springs; arrived at Deep Hole at 4 p. m.; distance of thirty-four miles. Found water and hay for horses. During the night three men deserted, taking with them three Government horses three saddles and bridles, three revolvers, and two carbines. July 28, left Deep Hole 6 a. m.; arrived at Hot Springs 4.80 p.m; found hay for stock; water bad. July 29, left Hot Springs at 5 a. m.; arrived at Willow Oreek at 6.30 p. m. after a hard drive of forty miles. Hay and good water for stock. July 30, left Willow Creek at 6 a. m.; arrived at Saint Mary’s, on Humboldt, at 1 p.m. Camped at Humboldt River; plenty water and hay for stock. July 31, Lieutenant Littlefield left camp at Saint Mary’s for Unionville, leaving command at camp. Stock and men in good condition.

August 1, still at camp. August 2, Lieutenant Littlefield returned from Unionville at 2 p. m. August 3, still at camp. August 4, started back to Camp Johns at 5 o’clock, arrived at Rabbit Hole Station at 3.30 p.m.; distance of thirty miles. Found good hay for stock, but water bad. August 5, left Rabbit Hole at 5 a.m. Stock in good condition; arrived at Hot Springs 2 p. m.; distance twenty miles. Found hay and poor water. August 6, left Hot Springs at 5 a. m.; arrived at Deep Hole at 3 p. m., traveling twenty-four miles to-day. August 7, left Deep Hole at 5 a. m.; arrived at Smoke Creek at 4 p. m.; distance thirty-two miles. Good water and hay for stock. August 8, left Smoke Creek at dark, traveling all night. August 9, arrived at Soldiers Bridge at daylight; fed stock and proceeded to Camp Johns; arrived at 9 a. m.

JUNE 24, 1864.—Attack on wagon train on the John Day’s Road, near Fort Klamath, Oreg.

Report of Lieut. Col. Charles S. Drew, First Oregon Cavalry.

CAMP ON SPRAGUE’S RIVER, THIRTY MILES EAst oF FORT KLAMATH, July 2, 1864.

COLONEL: I have to report that on the 24th ultimo the Indians attacked a train on the California and John Day’s road about forty miles to the northward of this camp. Two men of the train were wounded, one severely, and seven head of cattle taken and 3,000 pounds of flour destroyed. The train fell back to the John Day’s Ford, on this river, a few miles to the eastward of this camp, where it now is. The man that was the most severely wounded has been sent to the hospital at Fort Klamath. The Indians who made the attack are doubtless of the Klamath Lake, Modoc, and Goose Lake tribes. I have directed messengers to be sent to the Klamatbs and others in the neighborhood of the fort and at Williamson’s Lake, requiring all the Indians there to report at once at the fort. In this way I hope to ascertain who are absent, so that sooner or later I may require the absentees to give an account of their whereabouts at the present time. Ishall march slowly toward the Goose Lake country, so that I may be within express distance from Fort Klamath should more troops be required there or in that vicinity. I have directed the issue of rifles and ammunition to the workmen at the fort, if necessary.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,