Rogue River Indian War

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Rogue River Indian War of 1855-56.

During 1855, when most regular forces were in the northern part of the territory, trouble developed in the south with the Rogue River Indians. This time, the heavily armed Indians grouped together in large forces. Since insufficient regular US Army units were in the region, the weight of the second Rogue River War fell upon the Oregon Volunteers.

As the war progressed, a small force of regulars and equipment were sent south from Fort Vancouver. Along the way, volunteer units were attached from each of the towns it passed through.

In previous Indian Wars, casualties had been light. It did not remain so at the Rogue River. In one engagement alone, Graye Creek, 26 volunteers were killed or wounded, along with 11 regular Army killed or wounded.

As the war intensified, more and more regular forces concentrated in the Rouge River area, and the initial volunteers were released to return home, only to be replace by other volunteer units. Throughout the winter, battles raged and stretched from Gold Beach on the coast inland to Jacksonville. Further reinforcements of regulars became impossible, and the burden of fighting fell almost entirely upon the volunteers. By May 1856, more than 700 men comprised the volunteer force which continuously pressed the Indians throughout the harsh winter. With little food and goods left, the Indians surrendered in June 1856 after nearly nine months of continuous battle.

Rogue River Indian War