John Watson Writes Home about Rogue Indian War

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John Watson wrote to his brother in Iowa on Jan. 27, 1856, about his part in the Rogue Indian Wars. It offers a one-sided view of the fighting.
Watson wrote, “The [Indians] have killed a great many people round here...burned houses and all, but…they are pretty well cooled down by this time…
“I was out with the volunteers 27 days hunting Indians. I shall get 4 dollars per day for that time and a land warrant of 160 acres. We did not have any fighting to do while I was out, but one day we expected to have a great fight. We were riding along in mountains … (when) all at once we came in sight of an Indian camp not over 300 yards ahead of us…Three men went round through the timber and crept up to the Indian camp in great silence…There were no Indians, but two dead…killed about two days (earlier)…
“There was more beef in their camp than you could pile on a large wagon…all sliced up and dried nice…They had commenced building a fort and were preparing for winter…We were sadly disappointed in getting [no] fight that time.”
Today’s episode of As It Was was written by Alice Mullaly, the program producer is Raymond Scully. I’m Shirley Patton. As It Was is a co-production of JPR and the Southern Oregon Historical Society. To share stories or to learn more about the series, visit asitwas – dot.org.
Source: Reproduction of a copy of a letter written by John Watson to a brother in Reinbeck, Iowa, Jan. 27, 1856. “Rogue Indian War” Vertical File at the Southern Oregon Historical Society Research Library, Medford, Ore.