Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/415

CHAPTER XVI.

EXTERMINATION OF THE INDIANS.

1856–1857.

Grande Ronde Military Post and Reservation—Driving in and Caging the Wild Men—More Soldiers Required—Other Battalions—Down upon the Red Men—The Spring Campaign—Affairs along the River—Humanity of the United States Officers and Agents—Stubborn Bravery of Chief John—Councils and Surrenders—Battle of the Meadows—Smith's Tactics—Continued Skirmishing—Giving-up and Coming-in of the Indians.

 

When Superintendent Palmer determined to remove from the Rogue River and Umpqua reservations the Indians who had observed the treaties, to an encampment in the small and beautiful valley on the western border of Yamhill and Polk counties, known as the Grand Rond, so great was the anger and opposition of the white people of the Willamette in thus having these savages brought to their door, so loud their threats against both Indians and agents, that it was deemed prudent to ask General Wool for an escort and guard. Palmer wrote Wool that he believed the war was to be attributed wholly to the acts of the white population, and that he felt it his duty to adopt such measures as would insure the safety of the Indians, and enable him to maintain treaty stipulations,^[1] recommending the establishment

1. 'The future will prove,' said Palmer, 'that this war has been forced upon those Indians against their will, and that, too, by a set of reckless vagabonds, for pecuniary and political objects, and sanctioned by a numerous population who regard the treasury of the United States a legitimate subject of plunder.' U. S. H. Ex. Doc., 93, 24, 34th cong. 1st sess. See also Dowell's Letters, MS., 42. Dowell takes a different view.

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