[...] and I have a greater hesitancy, from the fact, that many persons will prejudge from hearing the facts, without knowing any thing of the circumstances which led to them; and further, because anyone, or any company whose misfortune it is to have a serious conflicts with the Indians, are too readily regarded as the aggressors. But sir as there were thirty two white men, and two Calapoia Indians, who can assure your Excellency of the correctness of my statements, I shall state the facts as they occured.
On Tuesday the 2nd inst, at the green on willow springs, in this end of the Rogue River Valley, some twenty miles beyond the ferry on Rogue River, our men were attacked by the Rogue River Indians, quite a number of Indians: Three white men had gone some 150 yards from the incampment to the springs for water, went unarmed; and while dipping water, the Indians fired at them, some four or five guns: – The fire being instantly returned from our camps, the battle was fairly introduced, which continued almost four hours: Beginning at twilight in the morning, and continuing until 8 oclock, (I looked at my watch when the Battle ceased).
Some few of the Indians were mounted on good horses but a large majority of them were on foot, some of our horses had
turned loose to graze, and were greatly freightened at the yell of the savages on every side – The white men now running hastily towards them, to catch and bring them in, so scared a few horses that they run off; and the Indians persued them on their horses & got them from us, 4 in number. One of our men was wounded in the thigh by an arrow: I suppose the flint spike, on the end were to the bone, notwithstanding Wm. J. Barlow the wounded man travelled on: The number Killed and wounded on the part of the Indians we had no means of knowing from appearances: I will here say however, that I should think there some five or six Killed, and two or three times the no. wounded: We saw them bearing off some on their shouldiers like dead hogs, others were assisted off, and some others limped off with difficulty without help: Upon the whole, considering the parties, White men and Red, we had not much to boast of on either side; If we did whip at all (I suppose I may say we did for the Rogue Rivers ceased hostilities, and went off out of gun shot) and it was considered a full meal on both sides.
In taking a retrospect, I am much suprised indeed, very greatly astonished, that some half a dozen white men were not Killed: They (the Indians) were well supplied with guns: and fought with a measurable bravery, came up in gun shot in the open prairie; and stood up to us like men, Brave, daring and indolent [...]