Henry B. Mellen to R. C. Drum, November 30, 1862

COLONEL:

I have the honor to submit the following report:

On the 2d instant an express from Honey Lake brought news of an outbreak of Indians on the Humboldt road near Lathrop City. I left the post on the 3d with twelve men, taking from Hot Creek Station eight more. Arrived at Susanville onthe 7th. Was joined on the 11th by Capt. William Weatherton with twenty-six citizens of the valley. Examined the country from Smoke Creek to the northeast to the headwaters of Pitt River, striking the road again on the Forty-Mile Desert, finding but seven Indians, who were killed. Arrived at the post on the 29th instant. Private Jacob Haber wounded by an accidental pistol shot. A party of about twenty citizens armed and mounted went to the locality to bring in the bodies of the two men murdered, and had they followed the trail while it was fresh, or at least tried to ascertain the direction the Indians had gone (neither of which was done), the scout might have had a more satisfactory result. But an express was sent one hundred miles for assistance against a party not larger than their own numbers.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,