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The Infamous Black Bird Southern Oregon History, Revised


T'Vault's Mission

See also L. L. Williams' accounts, as transcribed from his original and the Marshfield Coast Mail.

    The steamer Sea Gull arrived at Portland on the 21st inst. On her way up she touched at Port Orford and landed a party of 65 men, with four cannon and plenty of small arms and ammunition. Twenty-four of the party started immediately for Rogue River and the Shasta mines. The Sea Gull stopped four days at Port Orford. She was to leave Port Orford for this port, via Trinidad and Humboldt, on the 23rd inst.
"Later from Oregon," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, July 30, 1851, page 2


    As a general thing, the men have resorted to industrious pursuits, and engaged themselves in the manufacturing of shingles, cutting and preparing piles for shipment, and prospecting the country in the vicinity of all the small streams for gold. . . . This kind of employment will continue for a few days longer and then another expedition for opening a trail to the Shasta mines will be fitted out under the direction of Mr. [William G. T'Vault]. This gentleman was employed by the United States government as guide for the company of rifles under the command of Captain Stuart, who recently marched through the Indian country from Oregon to California. We have the utmost confidence in the ability of Mr. T. as being [in] every way qualified to conduct a party in an enterprise of this character. It is the intention of the party to prospect all the streams over which they pass, and I have no doubt but what they will make some discoveries that will comprise no small degree of interest. In my next I anticipate imparting something of more importance.
    For the present, adieu.             CLINTON.
"Our Port Orford Correspondence," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, August 26, 1851, page 2


    STEAMER SEA GULL.-This steamer arrived here on Sunday morning last, with a full cargo and about forty passengers. She touched at Humboldt Bay, Trinidad and Port Orford on her way up. Capt. Tichenor reports all quiet at Port Orford. The exploring party who had gone out with a view of finding a road from that point to the Rogue River country had not returned. The Sea Gull left on Wednesday, p.m., with a full freight of various kinds of produce and several passengers. Among them were Dr. Dart and Messrs. Spalding and Parrish en route for Port Orford, for the purpose of effecting a treaty with the Indians on the coast below.
Weekly Oregonian, Portland, September 13, 1851, page 2


Correspondence of the Alta California.
PORT ORFORD, O.T., Sept. 14, 1851.
    MESSRS. EDITORS: I have but a few moments to devote to the interest of this communication, and in fact I need but few to note whatever of interest has occurred subsequent to the date of my last. Up to the date of the communication referred to, the Indians had not been at our camp for several days, but I am happy to say that only few days elapsed when they again paid us a visit, and have continued friendly up to the present time, with no indications of difficulty of any character. Mr. W. G. T'Vault, with a company of nineteen men, left here for the mines. They prosecuted their journey for several miles, and finding that their supply of provisions were rapidly being exhausted, decided on separating, and nine of the company returned to our camp; the balance of the company proceeded on their journey, since which time we have heard nothing from them.
    Dr. Dart, Superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon, has arrived here with his suite and the necessary articles preparatory to perfecting a treaty with the different tribes in this vicinity. Mr. D. is accompanied with some twenty U.S. soldiers, who, we understand, have come here for the purpose of opening a road to the one leading from Oregon City and Willamette Valley to the Shasta Valley, or gold diggings in that vicinity.
    In my next I will give you an account of the proceedings of the treaty, and all other things of interest that may occur.    Adieu.    CLINTON.
Daily Alta California, San Francisco, September 18, 1851, page 2


Late and Important News from Port Orford.
Treaty with the Indians--W. G. T'Vault's party cut off--Seven men murdered by a band of Indians and one drowned--T'Vault and Brush only escaped.
    By the arrival of the Sea Gull, yesterday morning, we have late news from Port Orford. Doctor Dart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Messrs. Parrish and Spalding, Indian agents, returned on the Sea Gull from Port Orford, where they had been for the purpose of making a treaty with the several tribes of Indians on the coast. Doctor Dart informed us that he had succeeded in making a treaty with, and had purchased all the lands of, the Quatomahs and Tututnis. These tribes number about five hundred souls; and are represented as being a fine, robust and healthy set of men, and as having more regard to cleanliness than any other tribes in Oregon. They go entirely naked, and subsist upon fish, mussels, roots, acorns, &c. They know nothing of agriculture, never having had any intercourse with the whites. The lands purchased from these tribes extend about eighty miles along the coast, running fifty miles back, and contain about two and a half millions of acres. This land is said by all who have visited that part of Oregon to be the finest country within our borders, well adapted for agricultural and grazing purposes. Doctor Dart authorized us to say that it would not cost the government to exceed one cent and a half per acre, including presents, annuities, expenses of treaty, &c.
    For the particulars relating to the murder by the Indians of most of the exploring party who left Port Orford under command of W. G. T'Vault, we refer our readers to the report of that gentleman to Dr. Dart which we publish today. We are happy to say, however, that Mr. T'Vault called upon us yesterday, on his way home, and appeared in good health and determined to accomplish the object of his mission, viz: to find a route for a road from Port Orford to the interior of the mining district on Rogue and Scott's rivers. If determined and unyielding perseverance will accomplish it, he will no doubt succeed, as he is determined to leave again in a few days by the overland route. See advertisement in another column.
    Lieut. Wyman, of the U.S.A., who was sent down to the coast by General Hitchcock, with a detachment of United States troops, is busily engaged in erecting a fort at Port Orford. Everything remains quiet there, and the settlers are progressing finely with their improvements. They are confident that a road can be opened from that place to the mines at a trifling expense; in which case it will soon become an important commercial point, as it has a fine grain-growing country all around it, which with its safe harbor and geographical position must make it a point of no common importance.
Oregonian, Portland, October 4, 1851, page 2


Mr. T'Vault's Letter.
Dr. A. Dart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Oregon Territory:
   
Dear Sir:--I hasten to lay before you the result of one of the most fatal occurrences that has taken place within the limits of Oregon since its settlement. Your letter addressed me under date August 14th, was duly received.
    I proceeded to this place on board the steamer Sea Gull, leaving Portland August 15, and on the 24th Aug., with a company of 18 persons, took up my line of march for the purpose of exploring and ascertaining the practicability of locating a road or roads from Port Orford to the upper Rogue River country. For the first three days' travel our route was down the coast in a southern direction to or near the mouth of Rogue River. We informed the Indians, whom we found very numerous, that you would be at Port Orford in from fifteen to twenty-five days for the purpose of making them presents of blankets and clothing and also treating with them for their illahe (lands), at the same time making them small presents myself. When near the mouth of Rogue River, while riding some distance in advance of the company, there were some manifestations of hostility--two Indians drawing their bows and presenting their arrows at me. However, upon raising my gun to present, they immediately ran.
    From this place our course bore about northeast, until the 31st of August. Here nine of the company started on their return to Port Orford, and the remaining nine continuing with me up Rogue River in a northeast direction, until the 7th September, our provisions having given out, we laid by this day for the purpose of curing elk meat. Our road up to this place lay over mountains and canyons, densely set with chaparral (underbrush); not being able to proceed more than from three to eight miles per day. From this place I could examine the upper Rogue River country sufficiently well to satisfy myself that we were not more than from twenty-five to thirty-five miles west of the Oregon trail leading to Shasta mines. Here a consultation was had, and our scarcity of provisions as well as the country's opening out to the north, influenced by a plain Indian trail, we were induced to travel to the north, believing that we could soonest obtain supplies in that direction. On Tuesday night, the 9th, we reached the headwaters of a stream flowing into the ocean at or near Cape Blanco. We traveled down it some distance, through an open country, and on Wednesday picked up an Indian boy who acted as our guide. On Thursday we started in a northern direction, crossing some low hills, and on Friday, the 12th, fell onto the southern branch of the Coquille River--which flows into the ocean in latitude about 43 deg. 10 mts. In passing down the southern branch, we had several beautiful views from high points of the large and extensive valley of the Coquille, which appeared to be generally level bottom land, densely covered with ash, maple, birch, some oak, and rich vegetable undergrowth of vines, nightshade, &c., such as is produced in the Missouri and Wabash bottoms. On Saturday morning, 13th, being entirely out of provisions, and not having had one-quarter's allowance for the last several days, it was thought advisable to abandon our animals, as we could make but little progress with them, and that too not in a direction so as to warrant the obtaining of any provisions. We, therefore, obtained Indian canoes and Indians to transport us to the mouth of the Coquille River. After passing a few miles we came to the junction of the south and north forks, which form a stream about eighty yards wide, where the tide ebbs and flows from two to three feet, at a distance of fifty miles from its mouth. From the junction of the forks, the course of the river is north of west, passing through a valley from ten to twenty miles wide. During Saturday, the 13th, Saturday night and Sunday, up to 9 or 10 o'clock a.m., we descended with rapidity and ease. When within a few miles of the mouth of the river, one of the party, a Mr. Hedden, recognized the river to be the Coquille, which he had rafted in going from Port Orford to Oregon in Kirkpatrick's company, and that the Indians, which had become very numerous, were then hostile, and it would be necessary for us to be on our guard. We were now in sight of the place where we intended to leave the canoes, at the same time passing several Indian lodges on the right bank, where vast numbers of the naked Indians were promenading the banks. One of our party, whose name I will not here insert, insisted most strenuously that we land on the northern bank, at the largest Indian lodge we had seen, and there get our breakfast. To this, Mr. Brush and myself remonstrated. We, however, drew in so near the bank that the Indians could reach the side of the canoe with their hands while in their canoes lying along the shore. They immediately grabbed our canoe and refused to let us push off. On one occasion we succeeded in pushing off some six or eight feet, but they jumped in and pulled our canoe to the shore and commenced boarding us and seizing hold of our arms. We made one instantaneous rush for the shore. I think Mr. Brush fired a pistol, the only one I recollect of hearing. In less than fifteen seconds we were completely disarmed; as there were ten Indians to one white man in the rencounter, and not less than from one hundred to a hundred and fifty standing around. In drawing my six-shooter, I was knocked down. The first thing I remember, I was some fifteen yards in the river in swimming water. I looked around and saw upon the shore the most awful state of confusion--it appeared to be the screams of thousands--the sound of blows, the groans and shrieks of the dying--at the same time I noticed my friend Brush, not far distant from me, in the water, and an Indian standing in a canoe striking him on the head with a paddle, causing the water to become bloody around him. My attention was then directed to a small canoe with an Indian lad in it but a short distance from me. I swam to it; he helped me in, put a paddle in my hand, pointed to the southern bank, and immediately ran to the other end of the canoe. On looking around, I saw him helping Brush to get into the canoe, and he immediately jumped overboard. We then paddled for the southern bank of the river. Upon landing we succeeded in getting to shore, then stripped ourselves of our clothing and, crawling on our bellies up the bank, succeeded in escaping to the thicket. We then continued in our naked condition traveling south, through the worst of hammocks and dense briery chaparrals during the day; at night we approached the beach, traveled all night, and about daylight on Monday morning reached Cape Blanco. On Monday we were taken by the Indians living near Cape Blanco, treated with a great deal of kindness, kept all night on Monday night with every accommodation they were able to afford, and on Tuesday brought into Port Orford in the situation that you saw us in. Mr. Brush and myself are all of a party of ten that remain to tell the melancholy fate of our companions--Mr. Brush being severely wounded by having several inches of the scalp of the top of his head cut off.
    The names of our companions who were murdered are:
A. S. Doherty                aged 30     Texas
Patrick Murphy
               "    22     New York
Thos. J. Davenport
          "    26     Mass.
John P. Holland
               "    21     New Hamp.
Jeremiah Ryan
                 "    25     Maryland
Cyrus Hedden
                 "    __     Newark, N.J.
J. P. Pepper                      "    28     Albany, N.Y.
    The loss of property--seven United States rifles, with accoutrements and ammunition; one rifle, with fixtures, &c.; one musket; one double-barreled pistol; one Sharps patent 36 shooting rifle, with implements and ammunition; one Colt's six-shooter, revolving pistol; one brace holster pistols, together with a number of blankets.
    The foregoing contains, substantially, the facts as they transpired. I, however, might say much more, but my feeble state of health and the severe pains from my wounded and bleeding limbs forbid my saying more at present.
    It will afford me much pleasure, at all times, to give such information as I may possess.
                I have the honor to be, sir,
                                Very respectfully,
                                                Your ob't serv't,
                                                                W. G. T'Vault.
Port Orford, Sep. 19, '51.
Weekly Oregonian, Portland, October 4, 1851, page 2


FOR PORT ORFORD.
THE subscriber intends leaving Oregon City for Port Orford by the overland route, on Monday the 13th inst., and wishes to employ five good men to accompany him for the purpose of exploring the country between Umpqua and Port Orford. Any persons desirous of availing themselves of an opportunity to explore, or to go to Port Orford, are invited to join the expedition. Any information given by calling at my residence in Oregon City.
W. G. T'VAULT.
Oregon City, Oct. 4, 1851.
Oregonian, Portland, October 4, 1851, page 3


(Correspondence of the Statesman.)
Port Orford Expedition--Disastrous Result--
Seven Men Murdered--T'Vault and Brush Only Escaped.

Port Orford, O.T., Sept. 24, '51.       
    Editor Statesman:--In my last communication I made mention of an expedition being fitted out under the direction of Mr. W. G. T'Vault, for the purpose of opening a trail to the mines, or one intersecting the road leading from the Willamette Valley to the Shasta mines. The result of this expedition you may have received prior to the receipt of this; if not, you will now learn some very unpleasant tidings of it. Mr. T'Vault left here on or about the 24th of August with a company of eighteen men, exclusive of himself, comprising, in all, nineteen men. They had six horses for the purpose of packing their provisions, blankets, etc., and they were also accompanied by an Indian chief who went as guide for them to Rogues' River. After the company had been absent some eight or nine days, nine of the company returned, reporting the progress of the company not of the most flattering character, and also a scarcity of provisions. Previous to this division of the company, the Indian guide left the party to their own discretion and guidance. Previous to this transaction, however, they had succeeded in reaching Rogues' River, distant from this place, southward, about twenty-five miles, nautical measurement. At the time of the separation both of the nine men from the company, and also the guide, were traveling in an easterly direction. This course, however, they continued only for a short distance, but so far as they proceeded, they found no obstacles insurmountable, and from the experience thus obtained they pronounce the route not at all impracticable .After leaving the river, and when about eight or ten miles distant from it, they struck an old Indian trail leading off in a north or northwest direction. This they followed for several days, supposing, at the time, that it would lead them to the Umpqua River. In this supposition they were sadly mistaken. Instead of reaching the Umpqua, agreeable to their expectations, it was a branch of the Coquille River. Here they abandoned their horses and employed Indians to take them to the coast, leaving their animals to be destroyed by whatever animal or being that might come across them. At this time the party were not aware that this was the Coquille River, but supposed that it was another river of considerable size that empties into the Pacific some ten miles from the mouth of the Umpqua. Their mistake was recognized by one of the nine unfortunate persons who made their escape from this place in June last, and crossed this river near the mouth, and who was one of the eight unfortunate men who met a sad fate in a desperate struggle with the Indians at the mouth of the Coquille River on the morning of the 14th inst. The company had been for several days almost entirely destitute of provisions, and several of the men were now almost entirely unfit for service, and in fact they were all more or less debilitated from the want of food and severe fatigue. In this critical and [in] every way way incapable situation of the party, they were attacked by a large number of the Coquille Indians just as the canoes reached the shore of the river, at or near the wigwams where the party had resolved on procuring breakfast, if possible. Their reception, however, was a sad one, and only two of the ten men who comprised the company made their escape, and those fortunate individuals were Messrs. W. G. T'Vault and Gilbert Brush, and they escaped with their lives and their lives only. They secreted themselves during the day in the roads, and when night set in they took to the beach, and in this way they succeeded in reaching a friendly tribe of Indians, some forty miles from the scene of action, and within fifteen miles of our camp. Here Messrs. T'Vault and Brush were cared for in a manner not unworthy men of a civilized character. Mr. Brush was exceedingly weak and debilitated from the wounds that he had received by the Indians in the engagement, in which he received two severe gashes upon his head, and which bled profusely from the time of his receiving them up to the hour of his reaching the friendly Indians, who dressed his wounds and otherwise provided for him and also Mr. T'Vault. They remained at the Indian rancho during the night, and on the following day the chief and some of his tribe assisted them in traveling to our camp, where they met with a reception that is more easily conceived than described.
    The chief who brought Messrs. T'Vault and Brush into camp was immediately employed to return and ascertain, if possible, the whereabouts of the other eight men who were still missing. The chief was absent three days, and returned with the sad intelligence that he had, with the assistance of several of his squaws, succeeded in finding the bodies of five of the eight men who were then missing. The names and residences are as follows: A. S. Doherty, Texas; Patrick Murphey, New York;  Thomas J. Davenport, Mass.; Loren L. Williams, Michigan; John P. Holland, New Hampshire; Jeremiah Ryan, Maryland; J. P. Pepper, Albany, N.Y., and Cyrus Hedden, Newark, N.J. Of this number, the Indians say, two escaped, and after they had succeeded in freeing themselves from the Indians, they discharged their rifles, and, as good fortune would have it, each shot done its deed of execution; they then fled in the direction of the Umpqua. How true this statement may be I cannot say, but I am inclined to believe that the two here spoken of have been confounded with the escape of Messrs. T'Vault and Brush, for almost at the very moment that the canoes touched the bank of the river, the Indians rushed into the water, seized the men and disarmed them, without giving any chance of defense, and as soon as Mr. Brush saw the result of the Indians' intentions, and knowing that the lives of the whole company were in jeopardy, he drew a concealed pistol from his belt, placed it against the breast of an Indian, and, as he supposed, discharged it, but receiving at the same moment a sure blow by an Indian with a kind of sword or long knife which felled him in the water, and for a few moments produced insensibility, which wholly disqualified him from witnessing the whole tragedy. His sense of understanding having returned to him, he then found that the blood was flowing profusely from the wound that he had received upon his head, which further disqualified him from witnessing the awful scene that was then being enacted around him. He saw, a short distance from him, Mr. T'Vault in a canoe with a young Indian. He succeeded in reaching the canoe, and was assisted into it by the Indian. The Indian then left them, and Messrs. T'Vault and Brush paddled the canoe to the opposite bank of the river, from whence they made their escape as I have above related.
    It is possible, however, notwithstanding all these circumstances, that two and perhaps three of the men made their escape, for it is ascertained almost beyond a doubt that five of the men have been killed, or the bodies of five men have been found by a number of friendly Indians who went in search of them; consequently there are three unaccounted for. It is the opinion of the chief who went in search of the men who are missing that only five were killed, one drowned, and two made their escape. In regard to the opinion of the chief thus expressed, I sincerely hope it will prove true--so far as the escape of the two men are concerned--but I sincerely doubt the safe arrival of any men of that unfortunate company to a civilized settlement.
For the present, adieu,
    J.C.F.
    P.S.--Since writing the above Mr. Parrish went out and endeavored to negotiate with the Coquille Indians. He made them several presents in behalf of the government, but all was of no avail. Mr. P. informed them that they could have many blankets, and other presents, if they would come down to this place with him, but they concluded that they would like to have the blankets, but could not go after them, though they concluded to receive them if they were brought up there.
J.C.F.
Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, October 7, 1851, page 2  "J.C.F." is James C. Franklin.


Interesting from Oregon--Indian Murders.
    By the arrival of the Georgia yesterday, with the mails from Oregon and California, we have received the following interesting letter from a settler at Port Orford, giving the particulars of the tragedy in which Mr. C. Hedden, formerly of this city, was killed, with several others, by Indians, in attempting to open a highway. A short account of the facts was published in the news brought by the last arrival, but it appears by the postscript below that three of the persons then mentioned as having been killed succeeded in escaping from the Indians, though they suffered great privations. The letter also gives the intelligence of an important treaty with the Indians, by which the U.S. obtain a large tract of land:
Correspondence of the Newark Daily Advertiser.
Port Orford, Oregon, Sept. 24, 1851.
    I write you in deep sorrow and anguish of mind. Five of our men have been most cruelly murdered by the Indians. The circumstances attending this horrid tragedy I will briefly relate to you as I received them from two of the survivors.
    On the 24th of August last, nineteen men left this place under the command of Wm. G. T'Vault of Oregon City, for the purpose of opening a communication with the Oregon road at or near the "Rogue River Ferry." On the eighth day out (having made but little advance, in consequence of the extreme roughness of the road and the density of underbrush, and apprehensive also that the provisions might not hold out), nine of the party returned to Port Orford, where they arrived on the 2nd inst. The others continued their course up Rogue River for seven days. Here their provisions failed, and it was determined to strike a direct course as near as possible to the white settlements. After traveling two days in a direction west of north they came to a river which they supposed to be the south fork of the Umpqua and which they thought would conduct them to the settlements. Several Indian canoes at this time came in sight and after much difficulty an agreement was made with the Indians to take them down the river. It was Saturday morning about ten o'clock when they started, in three canoes, six men with two Indians in one, and two men with the same number of Indians in each of the other canoes. They continued down the river all that day and night, stopping only once, to get supper. The next morning about 10 o'clock they came in sight of an Indian village on the north bank of the river. It was now discovered by Mr. Cyrus Hedden (one of the party who had crossed the river in June last while making their escape from Port Orford) that they were on the Coquille River, which empties into the ocean in latitude about 43°15', and 33 miles north of this place. Mr. H. also remarked that the Indians were hostile. At this time they were but three miles distant from the coast. One of the party proposed they should stop at the village and breakfast. Several objections were raised to this proposition, but they were unfortunately overruled, and they pulled in towards the shore. The Indians stood on the bank in great numbers, not less than 150. What folly, what madness, for a handful of men to trust themselves within the reach of such a large force without knowing how they were disposed! As they approached, the Indians waded out into the water, and caught hold of the first canoe, with the six men in; the others were some distance behind.
    It was now discovered that the Indians were bent on mischief. Efforts were made to disengage the canoe and push it out into the stream, but without avail. The Indians were around them on all sides and, seizing hold of the men and their rifles, tried to disarm them. My friend Doherty (who had an excellent rifle, presented to me by S. H. Meeker a few days before I left San Francisco) was the first to fire. Captain T'Vault and Mr. Gilbert Brush had their arms taken from them before they could use them, except a pistol which Brush drew, and presenting it to the breast of an Indian who had hold of him, fired. He was immediately struck with a long, heavy scalping knife, taking off the scalp on the top of [his] head for several inches. At the same time he received a severe blow on the back of the head which knocked him into the water. Capt. T'Vault was also knocked or thrown overboard. After recovering his senses, he recollects being assisted into a canoe, by what appeared to him an Indian lad, who placed a paddle in his hand, ran to the other end of the boat, performed the same service for Brush, and then, pointing to the opposite bank, jumped into the water.
    The sounds which reached their ears as they were crossing the river were most terrible. They seemed to be the yells of thousands, mingled with the groans of the wounded and dying. Upon reaching the south side of the river, they with difficulty managed to crawl up the bank (being much exhausted from the loss of blood) and sitting down upon a log, divested themselves of their pantaloons and shoes, the better to enable them to travel. Following the river, they made their way to the coast, down which they traveled the remainder of that day and all night, stopping occasionally to bury themselves in the sand to keep from perishing. The next day, early in the morning, they reached a river near Cape Blanco, and about thirteen miles from here, upon which lives a tribe of friendly Indians. They were recognized by the Indians, who had frequently been in our camp, and whose chief had acted as guide to the same party during the first three days of the expedition. They were received with great kindness, their wounds were dressed, and garments furnished them to cover their nakedness (they had nothing on them but their shirts). The next morning they succeeded in getting into camp with the assistance of the Indians. They owe their lives to these friendly Indians, the chief of whom is a splendid specimen of "God's noblest work." He and his tribe have become much attached to us, and, to use his own language, he is "one of us."
    The fate of the other men being still in doubt, an arrangement was made with our friend (the chief) to go to the Coquille River and gather all the information possible concerning them. Taking with him five of his band, he started the same afternoon, and returned on Friday morning, bearing the sad intelligence that five of them had been murdered, and buried in one common grave. He had seen them. Two of the men made their escape, and one was drowned. Prompt and energetic measures will, I trust, be taken to avenge the murders of these men. The steamer Columbia is expected here on Saturday next with Gen. Hitchcock, who has command of the U.S. troops in California and Oregon. We confidently hope that he will send a sufficient number of troops to chastise these murderous Indians.
    A military post was established at this port on the 16th inst. It is under the command of Lieut. Wyman, of Boston. There are, at present, but twenty men in the detachment. They are busily engaged in erecting their barracks. The Superintendent of Indian Affairs (Anson Dart, Esq.) arrived here on the 15th with two agents and three interpreters, for the purpose of forming treaties of amity and peace with the Indians and also negotiating with them for their lands. Both of these objects have been accomplished. Treaties were concluded last Saturday, by the terms of which the United States receive nearly two millions of acres, for the sum of $2500 per annum for ten years. The influence of these treaties upon the property of this place will be very salutary.
    Last Sunday, the song of praise, the voice of prayer, and the living preacher were heard for the first time in Port Orford. A number of Indians were present. Who can tell the end of the beginning? I am in excellent health and delighted with the place.
As ever, yours,        J. S. G.
    P.S., Oct. 8th.--The steamer Chesapeake arrived here this afternoon, from the Umpqua River. She brings the gratifying intelligence that my friends, Doherty, Loren L. Williams and Thomas J. Davenport, had made their escape from the Indians and reached the Umpqua settlements, after traveling twelve days, during which they had nothing to eat but berries. Two of them were entirely destitute of clothing, and the other had nothing on but his shirt. Williams was suffering much pain from an arrowhead which had entered his back, but the wound, although a serious one, is not considered dangerous. It is expected they will reach here within the next week.
Newark Daily Advertiser, November 20, 1851, page 2


    FOUR OF THE PORT ORFORD PARTY SAFE.--It will be seen by our Umpqua correspondence that two of Mr. T'Vault's party, who were supposed to have been killed, have arrived in the southern settlements. This confirms the story of the Indian women at Port Orford who stated that five of the party were killed and four saved. They also stated that they washed the bodies of those killed in the river, and then buried them side by side, covering them first with a blanket, and then with twigs of spruce. The bodies were horribly mangled. The women also stated that one of their chiefs and another Indian were killed by the whites in the contest. These facts were communicated to Dr. Dart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, from whom we obtained them.

Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, October 7, 1851, page 2


Correspondence of the Statesman.
Two of the Port Orford Party Arrived in the Umpqua Settlements--
One Severely Wounded--Four Safe and Five Murdered.

Gardiner, Umpqua River,
    September 22, 1851.
    Editor of Statesman:
    Sir--Last evening two men, named Hayden and Williams, arrived at this place, reporting that they were attached to Colonel T'Vault's party of twenty men, which left Port Orford a short time since in search of a passage from that port to the mining country in the interior. They give the following account of that expedition:
    After spending several days in the mountains in an ineffectual attempt to discover a passage, the men and horses becoming worn down with fatigue and hunger, they separated into two parties of ten men each, one half retracing their steps to Port Orford, while Col. T'Vault, with the remainder, attempted to strike across the country for the Umpqua. They (the latter party) abandoned their animals, and arriving at the headwaters of the Coquille River (which, unfortunately, they mistook for the Coos), engaged some Indians to convey them in their canoes to the coast. Towards night (one of the canoes containing four men being three miles in the rear) Col. T'Vault with five of their party reached an Indian village and requested to be landed on the opposite shore, which the Indians refused to do, but carried them directly to the village, when the instant they touched the shore they were suddenly attacked by about 200 Indians, and their arms wrested from them.
    Messrs. Hayden and Williams escaped to the woods with one other of the party, whom they have since neither seen nor heard from. At the time of their escape one of their number had been killed. Col. T'Vault was thrown down on the beach, and another was held in the water by the Indians, who were also beating them on the head with guns and paddles.
    Hayden and Williams have been eight days reaching this place, having subsisted, in the meantime, on berries and mussels, and being almost entirely without clothing. The former is unhurt, except from fatigue and exposure, while the latter is badly if not mortally wounded, having two arrows shot into him and otherwise much bruised and cut.
Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, October 7, 1851, page 2


A New Discovery!
    W. G. T'Vault, Esq., left this place some two months since, for Port Orford, on the steamer Sea Gull. Mr. T'Vault, in company with 18 other men started from Port Orford on the 24th of August to explore and locate a road, if possible, from that point to the upper Rogue River country. After being out several days they met Indians who manifested an unfriendly disposition. Some of the party, becoming disheartened, expressed a wish to return to the place of starting. Accordingly, on the 31st of August, 9 of the number started back, the rest pursuing their enterprise. Their course previously was down the coast towards the Rogue River, but meeting with many obstacles in that direction, they changed their course northward. After proceeding some days through a somewhat open country, they struck on the 12th of Sept. the southern branch of the Coquille River, which Mr. T'Vault thinks empties into the ocean in latitude 43 deg. and 10 min.
    From a letter addressed to Dr. Dart, Supt. of Indian Affairs, and printed in the Oregonian, we give the writer's own account of it, without expressing an opinion:
    In passing down the southern branch, we had several beautiful views from high points of the large and extensive valley of the Coquille, which appeared to be generally level bottom land, densely covered with ash, maple, birch, some oak, and rich vegetable undergrowth of vines, nightshade, &c., such as is produced in the Missouri and Wabash bottoms. On Saturday morning, 13th, being entirely out of provisions, and not having had one-quarter's allowance for the last several days, it was thought advisable to abandon our animals, as we could make but little progress with them, and that too not in a direction so as to warrant the obtaining of any provisions. We, therefore, obtained Indian canoes and Indians to transport us to the mouth of the Coquille River. After passing a few miles we came to the junction of the south and north forks, which form a stream about eighty yards wide, where the tide ebbs and flows from two to three feet, at a distance of fifty miles from its mouth. From the junction of the forks, the course of the river is north of west, passing through a valley from ten to twenty miles wide. During Saturday, the 13th, Saturday night and Sunday, up to 9 or 10 o'clock a.m., we descended with rapidity and ease. When within a few miles of the mouth of the river, one of the party, a Mr. Hedden, recognized the river to be the Coquille, which he had rafted in going from Port Orford to Oregon in Kirkpatrick's company, and that the Indians, which had become very numerous, were then hostile, and it would be necessary for us to be on our guard. We were now in sight of the place where we intended to leave the canoes, at the same time passing several Indian lodges on the right bank, where vast numbers of the naked Indians were promenading the bank. One of our party, whose name I will not here insert, insisted most strenuously that we land on the northern bank at the largest Indian lodge we had seen, and get our breakfast. To this, Mr. Brush and myself remonstrated. We, however, drew in so near the bank that the Indians could reach the side of the canoe with their hands while in their canoes lying along the shore. They immediately grabbed our canoe and refused to let us push off. On one occasion we succeeded in pushing off some six feet, but they jumped in and pulled our canoe to the shore and commenced boarding us and seizing hold of our arms. We made one instantaneous rush for the shore. I think Mr. Brush fired a pistol, the only one I recollect of hearing. In less than fifteen seconds we were completely disarmed; as there were ten Indians to one white man in the rencounter, and not less than from one hundred to a hundred and fifty standing around. In drawing my six-shooter, I was knocked down. The first thing I remember, I was some fifteen yards in the river in swimming water. I looked around and saw upon the shore the most awful state of confusion--it appeared to be the screams of thousands--the sound of blows, the groans and shrieks of the dying--at the same time I noticed my friend Brush, not far distant from me, in the water, an Indian standing in a canoe striking him on the head with a paddle, causing the water to become bloody around him. My attention was then directed to a small canoe with an Indian lad in it but a short distance from me. I swam to it; he helped me in, put a paddle in my hand, pointed to the southern shore, and immediately ran to the other end of the canoe. On looking around, I think I saw him helping my friend Brush to get into the canoe, and he immediately jumped overboard. We then paddled for the southern bank of the river. Upon landing we succeeded in getting to shore, then stripped ourselves of our clothing and, crawling on our bellies up the bank, succeeded in escaping to the thicket. We then continued, in our naked condition, traveling south, through the worst of hammocks and dense briery chaparrals during the day; at night we approached the beach, traveled all night, and about daylight on Monday morning reached Cape Blanco. On Monday we were taken by the Indians living near Cape Blanco, treated with a great deal of kindness, kept all night on Monday night with every accommodation they were able to afford, and on Tuesday brought into Port Orford in the situation that you saw us in. Mr. Brush and myself are all of a party of ten that remain to tell the melancholy fate of our companions--Mr. B. being severely wounded by having several inches of the scalp of the top of his head cut off.
    The names of our companions who were murdered are:
A. S. Doherty                aged 30     Texas
Patrick Murphy
               "    22     New York
T. J. Davenport
                "    26     Mass.
L. L. Williams                  "    23     Michigan
John P. Holland
               "    21     N. H.
Jeremiah Ryan
                 "    25     Maryland
Cyrus Hedden
                    "    ---     New Jersey
John P. Pepper                 "    28     New York
    The loss of property--seven United States rifles, with accoutrements and ammunition; one rifle, with fixtures, &c.; one musket; one double-barreled pistol; one Sharps patent 36 shooting rifle, with implements and ammunition; one Colt's six-shooter, revolving pistol; one brace holster pistols, together with a number of blankets.
    The foregoing contains, substantially, the facts as they transpired. I, however, might say much more, but my feeble state of health and the severe pains from my wounded and bleeding limbs forbid my saying more at present.
    It will afford me much pleasure, at all times, to give such information as I may possess.
                I have the honor to be, sir,
                                Very respectfully,
                                                Your ob't serv't,
                                                                W. G. T'Vault.
Port Orford, Sept. 19, '51.
----
    We have been handed a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Territory for perusal, from which we extract the following:
    "Two men arrived here (Umpqua) (Sept. 23rd) the survivors of nine headed by Mr. T'Vault, who were trying to find a road through the mountains to the mines from Port Orford; they report that all their company except themselves were killed. They escaped by running and killing their pursuers. One of them is badly wounded by two arrows, the heads of which have not yet been extracted. They report that it is, in their opinion, impossible to get a road through from Port Orford to the mines.
Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, October 7, 1851, page 2


Claim No. 20    Wm. G. T'Vault
Indian Department of the
Territory of Oregon
        To
                Wm. G. T'Vault              Dr.
1851
Sept. 14th for services rendered from Augt. 21st to Sept. 14th in the Indian department 24 days at $5 per day $120.00
" " six horses lost during service valued at $150 each 900.00
" " five pack saddles and fixtures valued at $25 each 125.00
" " one American riding saddle valued at 75.00
" " nine guns lost in service valued at $25 each 225.00
" " one Sharps rifle valued at 100.00
" " dragoon Colt's revolver 50.00
" " one pair pistols        50.00
Total           $1645.00
Territory of Oregon
    Be it remembered that on the 17th day of April A.D. 1856 personally appeared before me Joseph G. Wilson clerk of the Supreme Court for the Territory of Oregon the undersigned W. G. T'Vault and made oath that on the 21st day of August 1851 he started from Port Orford on the Pacific coast in Oregon Territory that he had with him six horses five pack saddles & fixtures one American riding saddle nine guns and Sharps rifle one dragoon Colt's revolver, one pair of pistols, that he proceeded south along the coast to the mouth of Rogue River notifying the Indians as requested by Dr. Dart Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Oregon Territory, from thence up Rogue River twenty five miles to the north bend from thence to the Coquille River thence down the Coquille River near the coast notifying the Indians on the route of said request of Dr. Dart, when near the mouth of the Coquille River himself and his party of men were attacked by the Indians & five of his men were killed and himself and four others making their escape severely wounded, which attack occurred on the 14th day of Sept. 1851 the said Indians having committed depredations on the whole line of march and finally capturing all the property contained in the foregoing account. And that said property was taken by the Indians while he was performing the duties as required by him in the amend [i.e., appended] letter of Dr. Dart Superintendent &c. and that the value put upon the services and the property taken by the Coquille Indians is a fair and just value in cash and that he is justly entitled to receive for the same the sum of sixteen hundred and forty five dollars.
W. G. T'Vault
Subscribed and sworn to before me at my office in Salem, O.T.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of our said Supreme Court this 17th day
of April 1856 at Salem
J. G. Wilson
(  seal  )                Clerk of the Supreme Court of Oregon
Office, Superintendence Indian Affairs
    Oregon City Aug. 14th 1851
Dear Sir
    Enclosed is a letter to James Gamble Esq. at Port Orford in which you will see I have requested his aid in taking the first steps towards attempting to negotiate with the Rogue River Indians for their lands in Oregon. Knowing you desire to restore peace and harmony in that country as well as extinguish the Indian title to the lands I am induced also to ask your cooperation in the attempt to collect these Indians for treaty purposes at Port Orford. Your extensive knowledge of the country will enable you to render us essential aid in this matter without interference, I would hope, with any other business in which you may have embarked in their country, I have sent an express to the crossing of Rogue River to notify the chiefs and headmen there, to come down to Port Orford to attend this treaty. It is our wish to treat if possible with the whole tribe at that place, therefore should it become necessary for you to step out of the line of your other business to promote this much desired object you will be remunerated for your trouble.
I have the honor to be
    Very Respectfully
        Your Obt. Servt.
            (Signed) Anson Dart
                Superintendent
Wm. G. T'Vault Esq.
(The foregoing is a true copy from the letter book page 155, Supt. Office O.T.
Edward R. Gray
    Clerk)
NARA Series M2, Microcopy of Records of the Oregon Superintendency of Indian Affairs 1848-1872, Reel 28.  This page was transcribed from the 1850s transcriptions on M2, but some of the originals of the above documents are now available online in NARA Series M234, Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Reel 609 Oregon Superintendency 1856, frames 670+. Remainder of 1853 spoliation claims transcribed here.


    HO! FOR PORT ORFORD.--By reference to our advertising columns it will be seen that Col. T'Vault proposes to start next Monday for Port Orford by land. He is confident that the construction of a road from that place to the mines is practicable, and is determined to "never say die."

Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, October 7, 1851, page 2


Port Orford Expedition.
    The subscriber intends leaving Oregon City for Port Orford, by the overland route, on Monday, the 13th inst., and wishes to employ five good men to accompany him, for the purpose of exploring the country between Umpqua and Port Orford. Persons desirous of availing themselves of an opportunity to explore, or go to Port Orford, are invited to join the expedition. Information given by calling at my residence in Oregon City.
W. G. T'VAULT.
Oregon City, Oct. 5, 1851.
Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, October 7, 1851, page 3


Port Orford Correspondence.
The Indian Treaties in Oregon--T'Vault's Expedition--The Rogue
and Coquille Rivers--Probable Errors in Their Geographical Determination--Discoveries, &c. &c.

Port Orford (O.T.), Oct. 7, 1851.
    Messrs. Editors:--In a previous communication I promised to furnish you an account of the proceedings of Dr. Dart, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, who for several days has been negotiating with the different tribes in this vicinity, and with satisfactory results, the object of the treaty on the part of the government being to secure peace and thereby afford the privilege of traveling through, with safety, all the Indian territory in this vicinity, and also for the purpose of purchasing their lands. In these projects the Superintendent has succeeded, except with the Coquille tribe, which is the most formidable tribe on the Pacific coast, and with whom a treaty at the present time is absolutely demanded. It will be remembered that this is the tribe into whose hands Capt. T'Vault and his company of ten men fell, and of which only two made their escape.
    The extent of territory inhabited by the Indians with whom a treaty of peace and friendship has been concluded, and from whom lands have been purchased, extends from the Coquille River on the north to a point some twenty miles south of Rogue River and extending back from the coast fifty miles, making an area of four thousand square miles, or 2,550,000 acres, at an aggregate cost of $25,000. The terms of the treaty give to each tribe the privilege of traveling with safety through any portion of the territory occupied by other tribes, and also gives the whites the privilege to occupy any portion of said territory which may be desired, in consideration of which the government of the United States has agreed to pay the said tribes, for ten years, yearly installments consisting principally of clothing and provisions. Dr. Dart estimates the whole expense of the treaty and purchase will not exceed the sum of $25,000. The Indians seem to be very much pleased with the great bargain that they have made, and seldom have I witnessed proceedings of a public character that were more interesting. Knowledge of the most serviceable character in regard to the geography of the country has been made known at these negotiations, and in the future explorations of this portion of Oregon it will be of the greatest importance. From the Indians and what we have gained from our own discoveries, we are led to believe that there has been a great error committed in naming the rivers of the interior in accordance with the names applied where they empty into the Pacific.
    McArthur, in his survey of the coast, has placed the delta of Rogue River some twenty miles north from the line of California, and from many sources we learn that there is an extensive farming country bordering on Rogue River and extending from thirty miles back into the interior. But Mr. T'Vault, while on his recent adventurous tour, contradicts this report and positively asserts that there is but a small portion of farming land situated upon this river, and that is at or near the coast. But while passing down the Coquille River, he found the description which had been given of Rogue River exceedingly applicable to that, and he reports a large river, with extensive farming lands bordering upon it, and extending back into the interior at a distance not less than fifty miles, where the tide in the river ebbs and flows at a height of two feet. Judging from these facts, we are led to believe that the description of what has been termed Rogue River was intended for the Coquille; we are also inclined to believe that the river passed over by the Oregon Trail, and supposed to be Rogue River, is none other than the Coquille. We arrive at this conclusion, however, more particularly from the pleasing descriptions of the geography of the country. We have taken much interest in making all the inquiry possible in regard to this same subject, and from all the information thus obtained, from persons who have actually traveled over the Oregon Trail from the Willamette Valley to the Shasta mines, we gain the same important information. We learn that after leaving the south branch of the Umpqua the trail leads a southerly direction until it reaches Rogue River. This distance, they say, is from thirty-five to forty miles, and that they cross no river of any importance between the two points. Now it is a well-known fact that the coast between the Umpqua and Cape Blanco, and in fact to the California line, extends about north and south, and the trail, we are informed, runs parallel with the coast. Consequently, at the point where it crosses the river, which is supposed to be Rogue River, it cannot be over sixty miles from the coast, for at the point where it crosses the Umpqua, it is less than that distance to the coast. After crossing Rogue River the trail follows up the river on an easterly course some thirty miles, at which point it again leads off [in] a southerly course. At this point, where the trail leaves the river, the distance to the California line is put down at forty miles. These facts convince us that there is a mistake somewhere in regard to the application of names to the rivers from the Umpqua southward. If not, where does the Coquille head, or where does it come from? It is most assuredly equal in size to Rogue River, and far more susceptible of navigation. According to the most reliable information, Rogue River rises in Oregon and runs a westerly course, passes into California, and when some seventy miles from the coast recrosses the line into Oregon and empties into the Pacific some twenty miles from the California line. Consequently the trail leading from the Willamette Valley to the Shasta mines cannot at any point on the borders of the stream named Rogue River in McArthur's coast survey be a distance of forty miles [sic]. Another fact, and one which convinces us more forcibly that there is a mistake somewhere, is this: When Capt. T'Vault and his company reached the Coquille River, or rather a branch of that river, they supposed that it was a small river that empties into the Pacific Ocean some twelve miles south of the Umpqua. But while passing down that stream, and to their great disappointment, they found that it was nothing more or less than a branch of the Coquille, and from the discoveries made by them, compares with the description of those who have explored Rogue River for several miles below the crossing.
    These circumstances appear plausible, and almost positively indicate that the river over which the Oregon Trail passes, and known as Rogue River, is none other than the Coquille; yet we may be mistaken. It is a subject that causes much speculation in the minds of adventurers, and I have no doubt that if these remarks should meet the observation of any person who is sufficiently conversant with the geography of the country to furnish the desired information, he will confer a great favor by making the same known to the public.
    Having already occupied a much greater space than I intended in my remarks upon the above subjects, I shall content myself with giving an account of the discoveries of gold, as related by Messrs. T'Vault and Brush, by barely making mention of the fact, and reserve the principal remarks as a subject of interest for a future communication. We are convinced that they discovered an extensive mining region, and not unfrequently, while passing over high mountains several thousand feet above the neighboring streams, they found gold-bearing quartz, and from appearances exceedingly rich and extensive.
    More anon.                              CLINTON.
Daily Alta California, San Francisco, October 16, 1851, page 2


    Another of T'Vault's party has arrived in safety; five safe and four murdered. This gentleman is Mr. Davenport. He brings no further accounts, is uninjured except by exposure, having been twelve days in the mountains, subsisting entirely on roots.
    Mr. Davenport thinks the remainder of the party were all killed by the Indians. He was pursued and passed by them, but by keeping [to] the mountains he eluded them and arrived at Gardiner after twelve days of the most intense suffering. He had nothing left but hat and boots when he arrived. He states that there is a large tract of fine farming country on the Coquille River, which river can be navigated for forty miles. He says the Indians are very numerous.
    Mr. Williams is suffering much from his wounds, but will probably recover.
"Arrival of the Columbia," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, October 28, 1851, page 2


    Mr. Williams, one of the unfortunate remnants of the Port Orford expedition, under Mr. T'Vault, is still at Gardiner, suffering severely from the effects of this wounds. He does not, however, surrender the hope that the energetic and humane Capt. Tichenor will yet make his appearance in the steamer Sea Gull with the benevolent design of removing him to San Francisco and procuring him that medical assistance which he so much requires.
"Indian Massacre on Rogue River," Oregon Statesman, Oregon City, November 25, 1851, page 2


Indian Fight in Oregon.
    Col. Casey, with a small detachment of United States troops, made an expedition against the Coquille Indians living back of Port Orford, and chastised them severely for their murderous attack, made some months since, upon Mr. T'Vault and his party. . . . Col. Casey, soon after arriving at Port Orford, proceeded thence to the mouth of the Coquille, and, encamping on the right bank, proceeded to construct rafts with which to cross. For two days the Indians kept firing from the left bank. Having embarked the whole command of sixty men, the expedition proceeded up the Coquille.
    Arrived at the forks of the river (sixty miles up), having burned all the rancherias on both banks, together with the provisions and fishing implements, they found the Indians, to the number of two hundred, encamped, awaiting their approach. They had sent their women and children to a place of safety, and had made preparations for a fight. Giving the command of one party to Lieutenant Stoneman, and heading the other himself, the Colonel made the attack; at the same time the Indians were firing into the boats. The fight continued for about twenty minutes, and at the end of that time the savages fled. A portion of them were intercepted by Lieut. Stoneman, and some six or seven killed. In all there were about fifteen killed, and many who were wounded were dragged off the field by the savages in their flight. Several of the men had their clothes cut by bullets and arrows, but none were hurt.
    A large quantity of provisions found in the rancheria was destroyed, and the rancheria razed to the ground. Returning, the Colonel left Lieut. Stoneman encamped at the mouth of the river with forty-five men and a howitzer. As all their winter provisions had been destroyed, and their canoes taken, the Indians will be compelled to sue for peace, and the severe chastisement they have received will cause them to refrain hereafter from molesting the whites.
    The Indian who was captured gave, by signs, such information as confirms the belief that five of T'Vault's men were murdered, and two of the Indians were shot at the conflict. The savages were under the impression that Mr. Brush had been drowned in crossing the river. Colonel Casey was about proceeding to Rogue River, 21 miles below Fort Orford, the Indians on that stream having recently harassed the white settlers, and requiring chastisement almost as much as those living on the Coquille.
"Further California News," The Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, January 3, 1852, page 1


The Port Orford Expedition Against the Indians.
    Among the dispatches received by the Columbia yesterday from Oregon were the official accounts of the movements against the Indians in the Port Orford region, by the detachment of U.S. troops ordered thither several weeks since. We have already published a statement relating to the occurrence of a battle on or about the 25th ult., in which about twenty-five Coquille Indians were slain, and now we have the details of the engagement, furnished us by a member of the expedition.
    Below we publish a letter which was written by one of the soldiers engaged in the military operations near Port Orford, narrating the circumstances of the fight. A melancholy interest attaches to the letter, from its having been written to a brother in the Atlantic States, and probably the last ever penned, as the young man was drowned a few days later in the Sixes River opposite Point Blanco, while riding an express from Port Orford to Lieut. Stoneman's camp at the mouth of the Coquille. The letter was not completed, but we publish such parts of it as will be found of interest:
PORT ORFORD, OREGON TER., Dec. 9, 1851.
    B----: Having promised you an account of the Coquille expedition, I shall try to comply as far as I can. Having had no means of keeping a journal, I cannot vouch for correctness as to dates. Companies E and A, 1st Dragoons (dismounted), arrived at this place on the 22nd of October, and C troop with their horses arrived on board the Sea Gull on the 27th October. Having made all necessary preparations, the three companies left this place on the 31st of Oct. for the mouth of the Coquille River, A & E by water, and C by land, a distance of 35 or 40 miles. Only a part of Co. C, 1st Dragoons, together with Lieut. Thomas Wright, 2nd Infantry, who commanded the company, was able to effect a landing in consequence of the surf. Some few narrowly escaped drowning. The balance of E and all of A, under command of Lieut. George Stoneman, 1st Dragoons, returned to Port Orford, from whence they started on foot, packing their blankets and provisions, and arrived at the mouth of the Coquille River on the 3rd ult., after a day and a half hard and severe marching. Lieut. Thos. Wright, on the 2nd ult., shot an Indian who attempted to disarm him of his rifle. (The officers carried throughout the campaign their rifles, the same as an enlisted soldier.) On the 5th Nov. the Indians assembled on the north bank, to the number of some hundred and fifty; several of them were armed with rifles and muskets. They appeared disposed, from their gesticulations, to give us battle. Lieut. Wright and two citizens fired on them. The Indians returned the fire and kept it up for about one hour; their balls all went wide of the mark at which they were fired. As we only fired three shots, the Indians after a couple of hours all retired. On the afternoon of the 6th of Nov. our raft was completed, and on the morning of the 7th Companies A and E, 1st Dragoons, under a cold, drenching rain, succeeded in crossing to the north side of the Coquille, Lieut. Stanton, 1st Dragoons, with 30 men, having proceeded up the south bank in order to form a combined attack on the hostile Indians.
    After four days wading through mud and water, climbing hills, forcing passages at times through underbrush almost impassable, and lying on the wet ground with only one blanket to protect us from the inclemency of the weather, we returned to the mouth of the Coquille River, having, during our march, met with nothing but deserted lodges, swamps and mountains almost impassable.
    Col. Casey, 2nd Infantry, sent to Port Orford, from whence he obtained three small boats capable of containing 60 men but so crowded that they could not use their arms. In this manner we proceeded for four days, and finding the current at the forks so rapid, we were obliged to land and encamp, 20th Nov. The Col. on the 21st detailed Lieuts. G. Stoneman and Wright to proceed up the forks in separate boats, each having an escort of 14 men, the latter up the north and former up the South Fork. Lieut. Stoneman had not proceeded above 6 or 8 miles, when he discovered the Indians assembled on both banks. After a few rounds he made good his retreat, having sustained no injury. Lieut. Wright returned to camp in the afternoon, having proceeded some 18 miles, but discovered no Indians. On the 22nd the whole command, 60, including officers and boats' crew, proceeded up the South Fork. Taking only two boats, five men in each, the command proceeded on foot up the right bank till they came within half a mile of Indian camp; there Lieut. Stoneman crossed to the left bank with Company A, after which the boats continued to ascend the river, the detachment on shore keeping in a parallel line and observing the utmost silence. When the boats had arrived within a hundred and fifty yards of the Fork (the Coquille Fork, we being a second time a few miles from the Fork where we had encamped) the Indians opened fire on them. Lieut. Wright, heading Company E, detachment 1st Dragoons, rushed to the edge of the river, and after a few rounds of ball, and yells more horrible than that of the Indians, not a single redskin was to be seen. They concealed themselves behind the trees, making their escape by running from one tree to another. E detachment had been engaged single-handed on the right bank, when Lieutenant Stoneman and A detachment came up on the left, and succeeded in killing several who were hid in the brush for the purpose of harassing the boats and the command had they attempted to land. Col. Casey, and Assistant Surgeon John Campbell, and Mr. Brush, who acted as guide, were all with Company E detachment during the fight. The gallant old Colonel seemed to delight in the sport. When the Indians first fired, the Colonel called to the men, "Boys, take good sight, throw no shots away, give them hell!"
    The campaign has been a severe one, the officers and men enduring alike cold and wet without a murmur. Lieut. Stoneman is not only a daring and brave officer in action, but also in the most difficult passes and sloughs, at places where other officers would turn back in despair, he has always some expedient to effect a crossing. You are at a loss to know where Lieut. Stoneman was during our boat excursion up the Coquille, for that I have not named him. I must tell you that he and C troop was detailed as an escort to Lieut. Williamson, Topographical Engineers, exploring a route from Port Orford to the Oregon trail. He returned to this place yesterday, having made two attempts without discovering a passage, route, or trail of any kind. Lieuts. Stanton and Williamson, with their escort, have suffered the greatest inconvenience and hardships, enduring daily rains and snow. The provisions of sugar, coffee, flour and hard bread were almost spoiled for want of waterproof bags. You would hardly believe that we came to fight or treat with the Indians, unaccompanied as we have been by agent or interpreter.
----
    Since the fight detailed above, we learn additionally that two men, whose names are French and Williams, privates belonging to one of the companies of U.S. troops, have died of the wounds received in the engagement.
Daily Alta California, San Francisco, December 15, 1851, page 2


    FROM PORT ORFORD.--We learn from a gentleman who came passenger on the Sea Gull from Port Orford that a practicable route for a road has been found from that place to intersect the Oregon trail. We are also informed that since the troops have chastised the Indians on the Coquille River all the other tribes have manifested the greatest friendship for the whites, and that peace and prosperity is the order of the day at Port Orford.
Oregonian, Portland, December 20, 1851, page 2


    Hon. Gilbert A. Brush was accidentally killed in Los Angeles, by a discharge of a pistol supposed to be unloaded. He was a Texas Ranger, and one of the heroic band known as "Mier Prisoners."--S.F. Herald.
    Mr. Brush was one of a party of ten who were exploring a pass for a road from Port Orford to the interior, when, on the 14th day of September 1851, near the mouth of the Coquille River, the party was attacked by a large number of Indians. Five men were instantly killed, three making their escape to the north. Mr. Brush, who was severely wounded, having a large portion of the skin flayed off from the top of his head, succeeded with one other, the leader of the party, in reaching Port Orford several days after the defeat, both of them badly wounded, and very little clothing left, nothing to eat, traveling the whole distance in the night.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 12, 1859, page 2
  It's interesting how coy T'Vault, the editor and publisher of the Sentinel, was about the identify of "the leader of the party."



    In September, 1851, Captain Tichenor brought Mr. T'Vault--of Oregon City then, afterwards of the Jacksonville Herald--to Port Orford as guide and interpreter. He said he was acquainted with the country and language of the Indians, which the unfortunate results of his expedition seemed to disprove. He got eleven men--some of them from San Francisco and some of the original nine--to follow his lead to the then-new southern mines. After wandering about in the mountains for six days, never having been beyond the sound of the sea, they fell in with a village of Coquille Indians and had a misunderstanding, which resulted in a fight, of which our boys had the worst. This was from ten to fifteen miles north of Port Orford, and was no massacre, but as far as I could learn, had all the characteristics of a fair fight. Some of the men swam the Coquille River and came back to Port Orford. Among them was Mr. T'Vault. Some came to the Willamette Valley and are here now, and some got in safe to Umpqua. Governor Gibbs and his friends took three of them over the Umpqua to Gardiner in their boat, and they are living in the Umpqua Valley now. Their names are Captain Willing, Cyrus Hayden (or Hedden) and Mr. Davenport. Whether any of the men were killed is not certain, for they were nearly all accounted for. But that some of them were badly wounded I do know.
J. H. Egan, "The Port Orford Affair Again," Portland Bulletin, February 25, 1873, page 1


    They did not find their way through to the Rogue River country; after several days' travel they came upon the headwaters of a river which they learned put into the Pacific some thirty miles north of Port Orford. Here they induced some Indians to take them (the eight) in a large boat to the ocean. When the boat party arrived within a mile or so of the ocean they met, on the bank of the river, the tribe of Indians called the Coquilles, that being the name of the river down which they had come. It being in the morning, they concluded to stop there among the Coquille for breakfast, and as they turned their boat to the shore they saw nearly a hundred Indians standing on the bank
APPARENTLY FRIENDLY
and glad to see so many white men who, they supposed, had come down from the settlements in Oregon. As the boat approached the shore, an Indian chief stepped into the water and took hold of the side of the boat to pull it up so the men could get out without wetting their feet. This act of the chief was construed by one of the white men as unfriendly. He struck the chief's hand with a paddle, drawing blood from the hand and bruising it considerably, whereupon the chief jumped into the boat. At that instant a white man standing in the stern of the boat fired his rifle, killing the chief; thereupon two more Indians jumped into the boat, and they, too, were shot dead, making three dead Indians in the boat before there had been the slightest demonstration on the part of the Indians of unfriendly feeling, and this, too, while upward of a hundred Indians stood on the bank of the river witnessing the whole transaction--the violence of the white men and murder of their chiefs. It is hardly necessary to say a deadly fight ensued.
SAVED BY AN INDIAN.
    The Indians supposed they had killed all the white men, but it seems an Indian boy with his boat saw two men (while) struggling in the water, a few rods down the river from the scene of the affray. The boy helped them into his boat and carried them to the other side of the river, and signed to them to hide in the bushes out of sight until darkness set in. After dark they crept along the riverside to the ocean beach, and thus they proceeded, hiding by day and traveling by night, until they got within six miles of Port Orford, when they were discovered by the Indians. This was on Sunday, the same day I arrived at Port Orford.
POWER OF RED BLANKETS.
    My first act on landing was to call some ten or twelve Indians who were hovering about the shore to me. I opened a bale of red blankets and gave one to each Indian. They seemed delighted, and after talking to them through my interpreters they started off, some up and some down the coast. Two of those Indians belonged to the band who had discovered the two survivors of the eight explorers who were to make their way to Port Orford. Upon their being discovered by the Indians they were tied hand and foot to a small tree, and their captors were deliberating as to the mode of putting them to death. While thus deliberating, two of the Indians to whom I had given the red blankets came running into the Indian camp, announcing that a good friend of the Indians had arrived at Port Orford from their Great Father, and exhibited the red blankets as gifts from
THEIR GOOD FRIEND,
and repeated the talk I had with them. The Indian council at once liberated the two white prisoners, dressed their wounds, fed them bountifully and prepared a bed of bearskins for them. The poor, wounded, half-dead and terrified whites slept in peace and continued to sleep for twenty-four consecutive hours. On awakening they were again washed, their wounds dressed, again fed and brought into Port Orford on litters made by the Indians, and carried by them six miles into Port Orford. Most of the facts in relation to the doings of the exploration party of eight was derived from the two prisoners brought to me at Port Orford. They finally recovered, and always attributed their rescue to the gift of the red blankets and my friendly talk and treatment of the Indians on my landing at Port Orford. [The pair were apparently T'Vault and Brush.]
Anson Dart, "Early White Treachery," San Francisco Chronicle, May 18, 1873, page 7


    Captain Tichenor left between forty and fifty men at Port Orford, and in August again visited the place, bringing with him a reinforcement from Portland, increasing the population to about seventy. Preparations were now made to explore for a road to the mines in the interior, and on the 24th of August a party of twenty-three, headed by W. G. T'Vault, Oregon's Postmaster General under the provisional government, set out on this mission. T'Vault was an experienced frontiersman, but the majority with him were young Californian adventurers, eager to arrive at the mines. They were furnished with horses, and proceeded southward along the coast as far as Rogue River, having no trouble with the Indians until they reached that stream, where they suffered some annoyance. On the 1st of September, when they were about fifty miles inland on Rogue River, their provisions running low, and the course they should pursue being very uncertain, fourteen of the party turned back, leaving T'Vault with but eight followers, only
one of whom was a hunter.
    It had been the intention to follow up the river to the crossing of the Oregon
and California trail, but the trend of the ridges they were compelled to cross carried them northeast, until on the 9th they found themselves upon the headwaters
of a stream apparently falling into the ocean in the latitude of Cape Blanco. Convinced they were traveling in a circle, and despairing of reaching the interior, the explorers followed this stream down to its junction with a river which one of the party, who had been with Kirkpatrick in his flight, recognized as the Coquille, and where they fell in with some of the natives.
    Their horses were by this time worn out, and it was difficult forcing them through the thick undergrowth of the Coquille bottom land, and as they had
nothing left to carry but their guns, it was decided to abandon the horses and trust to the natives, whose canoes were drawn up on the bank of the river. An agreement was entered into, and two canoes engaged to take them to the river's mouth.
    Hungry and exhausted, the party gladly seated themselves in the frail wherries, and passed several days on the journey after the loitering fashion of Indians. The only incident that excited suspicion was the discovery of a gun in the possession of one of the natives, which had been broken over a savage head three months before in the battle of Port Orford. This fact seemed to inculpate the Coquilles, although they might have obtained it of a neighboring tribe.
    Early on the morning of the 14th the canoes arrived at the Coquille village, about two miles above the mouth of the river. Without consulting their passengers the Indians landed, and the canoes were drawn up on the sands. No sooner had they touched the shore than they were attacked by a waiting horde of savages armed with bows and arrows, to which had recently been added long knives made of the band-iron of the wrecked Hackstaff. The first movement of the Indians was to disarm the white men. If they could effect this, they might kill them by any fiendish mode of torture their imaginations could invent.
    A fearful struggle now took place. Those who could, sprang into the river, where they saw and heard, while fighting for their own lives, a horrible confusion of blows, yells, shrieks and all the bloody business of a massacre. T'Vault, who was in the water, saw not far from him one of his men, with an Indian standing over him in a canoe, beating him on the head with a paddle.
    At this painful moment there darted out from shore a canoe in which stood a young Indian lad, who directed his course to this man, and pushing off the other canoe assisted him into his own, and picking up T'Vault also handed him the paddle, and swam back to the company of his cruel kindred. This act saved their lives. T'Vault was not seriously wounded, but his companion had a portion of his scalp torn off, and both were sore with bruises. Stripping off most of their clothing, they crept into the woods and made their way, famished and suffering much, to Port Orford.
    The most remarkable experience in this unfortunate expedition was that of L. L. Williams, then a young man just from Michigan, but now an Oregon pioneer residing at or near Ashland. In a hard struggle with two powerful savages, who were attempting to take away his rifle, the piece was discharged; the report alarmed his assailants, and gave him an instant's time to collect his thoughts. Dashing through the crowd of yelling savages, hearing the cries and groans of his companions, he fought madly with the empty rifle until only the barrel remained in his hands. Once
he was felled to the ground, but quickly recovering himself, he broke through the surging ranks and darted towards the woods. As he ran he was hit between the left hip and lower ribs by an arrow, penetrating the abdomen, and instantly checking his flight. Finding it impossible to move, he attempted to draw out the shaft, which broke off, leaving a portion of its length, with the barb, in his body, but so greatly was he excited that he was conscious of no suffering from it.
    Being still pursued by about a dozen savages, a race for life ensued, and singular as it may appear under such conditions, Williams distanced all but two, who ran about evenly with him, one shooting arrows at him every minute or two. Being in despair of escaping alive, he at length turned on them, pursuing in his turn. But while he ran after one, the other shot at him from behind. To make him utterly hopeless, his pantaloons fell about his feet, the suspenders giving way, and compelling him to stop while he kicked them aside. From a wound on his head the blood ran down into his eyes, blinding him, and as he made for the cover of the forest he fell headlong. At that the Indians rushed upon him, and one who carried the captured gun attempted to fire, but the gun snapped without going off.
    When the gun failed a sudden hope was born in the young man's brain, and springing to his feet, he met his assailant with his own gun barrel drawn. A duel with guns for clubs followed, short but effective. After a few bruises received, a fortunate blow directed with skill laid his antagonist in the dust. Seizing the gun the Indian let fall, he aimed at the last of his pursuers, if only to frighten him, but to his surprise and joy it was charged, and the Indian fell dead.
    Exhausted, and expecting only to die of his wounds, Williams sought the shelter of the woods and lay down to await death, but feeling, after an hour's rest, life still stirring in his body and brain, he set forward in the direction of the Umpqua, and in the afternoon fell in with Cyrus Hedden, one of his companions, who, having been with Kirkpatrick when he left Port Orford for the Umpqua, was consequently somewhat familiar with the country. By the aid of Hedden and some friendly Indians he finally reached Umpqua City. Perhaps the strangest part of Williams' remarkable story, which included six days of intense suffering from his wounds, from cold, for he was naked, and from famine, for there was nothing to eat except what the beach furnished, is that he did not die. His wounds healed quickly, except that in the abdomen, which discharged for a year. Three years later the arrowhead worked out, but not until the seventh year did that portion of the shaft which had borne the head follow it. The five men who did not escape were never heard from.
    I do not know what state T'Vault was from--probably from Missouri [no]. The man who escaped with him was Gilbert Brush of Texas. T. J. Davenport, who escaped, was from Massachusetts. Hedden was from New Jersey. Of those who lost their lives, Patrick Murphy was from New York; A. S. Doherty from Texas; John P. Holland from New Hampshire; Jeremiah Ryland from Maryland; J. F. Pepper from New York.
Frances Fuller Victor, "A Province of California," Overland Monthly, July, 1893, pages 100-102


    "Cyrus Hedden was one of the little group of men who were left at the prospective town of Port Orford by Captain Tichenor to form the nucleus of the settlement there. They were attacked by the Indians and took refuge on a high rock near Port Orford, and their bloody battle there gave Battle Rock its name. A few months later he was one of the men who, with W. G. T'Vault, made the perilous and disastrous surveying trip for Captain Tichenor. When the nine men, of whom Mr. Hedden was one, had escaped from the Indians after the fight of Battle Rock, Captain William Tichenor enlisted a number of adventurous miners at San Francisco to establish the town of Port Orford. Landing his second and larger party at the site of his proposed city, Captain Tichenor went on to Portland, where he hired W. G. T'Vault to survey a road from Port Orford to the Southern Oregon mines near Jacksonville.
    "Of the party who were hired to go with Captain T'Vault only one or two knew anything about woodcraft. L. L. Williams, Cyrus Hedden and Captain T'Vault had some experience, but none of them were thorough woodsmen.
    "When Captain T'Vault left Port Orford in the middle of August, 1851, there were 23 in the party. Their plan was to strike eastward and make connections with the Oregon and California trail. The men soon discovered T'Vault knew nothing about the country. They held a meeting and decided to return to Port Orford. By promising them $50 a month, Captain T'Vault induced nine of the party to stay with him. The other 13 men went back to Port Orford.
    "Of the smaller party who decided to press on most were newcomers to the country. They were recent arrivals from eastern cities, who would become lost if out of sight of camp. The party soon lost their bearings, game became scarce, their food supply ran out and at last two of the men, Ryan and Murphy, played out and refused to go any farther. Williams and one of the other men went out to secure some game. Williams did not return, but the other man shot a wood rat, which they divided among the party. Some time later Williams came into camp and told them he had killed an elk. They moved their camp to where the elk was and stayed up nearly all night cooking and eating the meat.
    "Next morning the men decided to make their way to the coast. They ran across an Indian who guided them to the Coquille River, where they came upon three Indians in their canoes. This was at noon on September 13, 1851. The Indians were hired to take the men in their canoes to the coast. Not far from the mouth of the Coquille they came upon an Indian camp. T'Vault wanted to go ashore and buy some salmon from the Indians. Mr. Hedden, L. L. Williams, Gilbert Brush and Pepper protested against going ashore on account of the danger of trouble with the Indians. T'Vault had hardly landed till they were attacked. Ryan, Murphy, Pepper and Holland were knocked down by the Indians' war clubs. T'Vault jumped into the river and was helped across the river by one of the Indian boatmen and escaped. Williams was shot with seven or eight arrows, so was Doherty. The Indians overtook Doherty as he ran with Williams and shot over 40 arrows in his back as he lay on the ground, then beat his head in with a club. Williams killed two Indians who were pursuing him and crawled into the brush and hid. Mr. Hedden had been left for dead, but had crawled into the brush and came upon Mr. Williams. Mr. Hedden pulled the arrows out of Mr. Williams' back and arms. He got them all out but one that had gone in and broken off in his groin. For the next eight days Mr. Hedden dragged and carried Mr. Williams, who begged him to kill him and put him out of his misery. He would neither kill him nor leave him and at last, after living on bugs and snails for more than a week, they met some friendly Indians, who took them to Gardiner.
    "For the next eight years L. L. Williams was helpless and Mr. Hedden and others helped support him. Finally the arrowhead and the broken wood worked out and Mr. Williams recovered. Mr. Williams was made county treasurer of Umpqua County, serving two terms, and later served two terms as county clerk of Umpqua County. When Umpqua County was absorbed by Douglas County he served for five terms as county clerk of the consolidated counties.
    "When Mr. Williams died he left over $50,000. Here is a copy of his will. Listen to this paragraph: 'To my friend, Cyrus Hedden of Scottsburg, for kind care and attendance while suffering from wounds received from the Indians, I give and bequeath the sum of $5000. To my friend, Mary Emily Test, daughter of Daniel and Mary Test of Junction City, all the residue of my property after the other bequests are paid.' After Grandfather Hedden had received his $5000 and the other bequests had been paid, Mary Test, who was a teacher in the public school at Portland, received the rest, amounting to something over $20,000."
Mrs. John Hedden, quoted by Fred Lockley, "Oregon: In Earlier Days," Oregon Journal, Portland, August 7, 1914, page 6


Heroic Exploit of Pioneer of Oregon Recalled.
Life of Companion Saved by Carrying Wounded Man Many Miles After Battle with Indians.

    SUTHERLIN, Or., May 3.--(Special.)--Cyrus Hedden, who died at Scottsburg, Or., March 29, 1911, at the age of 91, performed one of the most heroic exploits in the history of the Indian wars of early Southern Oregon.
    In June, 1851, Mr. Hedden, with eight companions, landed at the present site of Port Orford and were attacked by a large force of Indians and driven on a small island, since named Battle Rock, where they were besieged for 16 days. After exhausting their supply of ammunition, the party, including a number of wounded, made their escape at night and after eight days of hardship reached the mouth of the Umpqua, 65 miles north.
    Hedden returned to Port Orford and joined 10 adventurers who were intent upon discovering a pass at the head of the Coquille or Coos rivers. The party became lost. In a famished condition they reached an arm of the Coquille and dropped down the stream in canoes taken from the Indians. [The natives paddled them downstream.] Near the mouth of the river more than 100 savages rushed upon the explorers and four of them were killed. Two of the party escaped by swimming to an overturned canoe.
    Mr. Hedden engaged two savages, killed one with his knife, broke away from the other and escaped into the woods.
    One of his companions, a powerful young woodsman named L. L. Williams, by clubbing his rifle, succeeded in wading through the ranks of savages. Williams raced for the timber, pursued by two warriors keeping up a rapid fire with their arrows. One arrow pierced Williams' abdomen. He jerked the arrow out, breaking off the barb and about three inches of the shaft in his body.
Pursuers Finally Killed.
    Infuriated with pain, he crushed the skull of the savage with his rifle barrel and, seizing his gun, he shot and killed his remaining tormentor.
    Williams was soon joined by Hedden. The two struggled through the rough country. The wounded man suffered more acute agony each day and repeatedly begged Hedden to leave him to die and to save his own life.
    The distance from the Coquille to the Umpqua is more than 40 miles, and for the last half of the journey Hedden carried his wounded companion, who was practically helpless. Seven days after the encounter, September 21, 1851, they reached the settlement at the Umpqua. Williams remained an invalid for four years after his rescue, when the arrowhead and shaft were removed from his body.
    L. L. Williams died in 1881 at the age of 53 and he left a fortune of $40,000 to Cyrus Hedden and others of his benefactors.
    A son of Cyrus Hedden, John N. Hedden, still lives at the old pioneer town of Scottsburg.
Oregonian, Portland, June 4, 1916, page 10

Last revised October 10, 2023