Jas. N. Olney to Second Tnfty. Cal. Vols, June 8, 1862

MAJOR:

I have the honor to report that on the 26th ultimo I ordered a detachment from Company A, Second Infantry California Volunteers (stationed near Hydesville), across Eel River to Eagle Prairie, in pursuit of Indians committing depredations in that locality, firing upon settlers and robbing the house of one Hazeltine of arms and ammunition. After a four days’ scout the detachment returned unsuccessful, the character of the country rendering it almost impossible to track the Indians. On the 29th ultimo I was called upon by a deputation from Mattole Valley, about fifty miles south of this post and near the coast, urgently requesting, in the name of some sixty families, mostly women and children (the men having gone to the mines), that a force should be sent for their protection, the Indians having commenced their depredations, killing cattle and robbing ranches. Another messenger arrived the same day stating that a party of settlers had been fired upon, and bringing two petitions for aid, numerously signed, one from Mattole Valley and one from Kushka, eight miles south of Mattole, where a large number of cattle are ranging, of which the savages had killed over 100 head the few days previous. Of the limited force at my disposal I could only spare fifteen men of Company A, Second Infantry California Volunteers, who were immediately dispatched under command of Lieutenant Hubbard. Up to this date no report has been received from this detachment.* There is no doubt a larger force is required in that important part of the district, but under present circumstances it is utterly impossible to send more troops to that point. On the 30th ultimo I received a request for an escort to bring in fortynine Indians whom some citizens of Mattole had secured and who were on the way to this post. A small detachment of cavalry was dispatched at once, and three days since they were brought in safely. They are mostly squaws and children. There is one chief among them, and five or six other bucks. There are now en route to this post from Fort Baker 110 Indians of the Eel River tribe, captured at various times by Captain Ketcham’s command, Company A, Third Infantry California Volunteers, who have been very zealous and successful in inducing the Indians to come in. In this he has been efficiently aided by Lieutenant Staples of the same company. Upon the arrival here of this party there will be at this post nearly 300 Indian prisoners.

* But see Hubbard’s report, June 20, p. 73.

I have also the honor to report that on the 6th instant, at midnight, I received a dispatch from Arcata, eighteen miles north of this post, that the house or hotel at Daley’s Ferry, on Mad River, five miles from Arcata, had been attacked at 4 o’clock that p. m., and that Mrs. Daley and two children and two of our soldiers were killed. Within thirty minutes Lieutenant Davis with a detachment of twelve men of Company E, Second Cavalry California Volunteers, were on the march for the terry.

On the 7th instant, at noon, information reached me to the effect that Lieutenant Davis’ command was engaged in fighting a large well-armed band on Mad River, three miles only from the town of Arcata, and required re-enforcements. I immediately ordered all the available force at this post to march, and twenty men of Company E, Second Cavalry California Volunteers, under Captain Akey, and twenty men of Company E, Second Infantry California Volunteers, under Adjutant Hanna, started at once for the scene of action. This force I myself accompanied. Upon arriving at Arcata I learned that the Indians having left Daley’s Ferry had passed down the river about two miles, and were in the act of burning a house when Lieutenant Davis’ detachment arrived. Firing commenced between the parties from opposite sides of the stream, here about 400 yards wide; the Indians, some fifty of them well armed and stationed upon a high bluff, thus having the advantage in position. After a half hows fight the cavalry dashed across the river and the Indians broke and fled, Lieutenant Davis following in pursuit. Finding we were too late for the fight, I ordered forward the detachments to co-operate with Lieutenant Davis and then returned to this post, my duties here precluding a lengthened absence. On the same day I issued and forwarded orders for detachments from Companies A, F, and K, Second Infantry California Volunteers, and Company A, Third Infantry California Volunteers, to move immediately from their different posts, so directing their march as to cut off if possible the retreat of the Indians to the mountains. Captain Douglas, Company F, Second Infantry California Volunteers, a most efficient officer. was ordered to take command of the various detachments in the field, and I hope will be successful in exterminating this formidable band, said to number over 100, and who it is believed have been the principal actors in most of the recent outrages in the central portion of this district. Up to this date nothing definite has been heard from the expedition, except a few penciled lines from Captain Douglas, stating he believed he had cut off their retreat. The chances, however, are against success. The familiarity of the Indians with all practicable outlets, and the exceeding difficulty, only to be appreciated by personal experience, of troops operating in these dense forests, render it probable they willescape. I beg respectfully to refer the general commanding to my communication of this same date, containing the particulars of the affair at Daley’s Ferry. I beg respectfully to report that the limited number of troops at this post renders it impossible to detail a sufficient guard (in addition to that required over the many general prisoners in the very weak guard-house) to safely keep the large body of Indians now here and constantly accumulating. This fact, together with the frequent complaints from the Indians that white men, soldiers, and others, were nightly having intercourse with the squaws (a knowledge of which prevented many Indians at large from coming In), rendered it in my judgment necessary to take measures to suppress this evil, and at the same time secure the sate custody of the Indian prisoners. Accordingly I ordered the construction of a circular corral, now completed, eighty feet in diameter and ten feet high, to be built of two-inch plank twelve feet in length, standing upright, and two feet in the ground. The cost will not probably exceed $150, and the plank will be perfectly available for other purposes in the future. I trust my action in this matter may be approved by the general commanding, as it seemed absolutely required in view of the facts above stated, and of the facility with which all these Indians, collected at so much expense by the Government, could at any hour of the night break for the dense forest 100 yards distant, and in five minutes thereafter be beyond pursuit.

I have the honor to remain, your most obedient servant,