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Oregon Secretary of State Archives Division

Military Department History & Records

Oregon's provisional government passed the first militia law July 5, 1843. It authorized the formation of a battalion of mounted riflemen, composed of male inhabitants of Oregon between the ages of 16 and 60 who wished to be recognized as citizens by the new government. The law provided for the annual election of officers who would inspect volunteer troops once a year and could assemble them in the case of invasion or local insurrection. Troops were subject to call, with governmental consent, by an authorized agent of the US government.

For more history of Oregon's Military Department, see the 2009 Administrative Overview.

Series Descriptions for The Military Department

1847-1859
2.0 cubic feet
Microfilm Reels 30-34 and Calendar Microfilm

Series documents communications between the Oregon Military Department and state, local, and federal agencies. Records include letters, memos, telegrams, routine reports, and attachments. The correspondence covers most military activities in which the Oregon Military Department participated, including the Cayuse, Rogue River, and Yakima Indian Wars and the Mexican War. The records also describe military conditions, the formation of units and organizations, development of weapons and material, military intelligence and investigations, and the relationship of the Oregon Military Department with the US Armed Forces. Series is arranged chronologically by date of correspondence.

1848-1859
.1 cubic feet

Series documents reports prepared by or for the Oregon Military Department concerning procedures and policies. Reports include title, date, and text of report. Subjects include military regulations, unit reorganization, and Grave Creek Battle casualties (Rogue River Indian War, 1855). Series is arranged alphabetically by title or subject of report.

1847-1850
.25 cubic feet

Series documents the purchase of bonds to finance the Cayuse Indian War. Bonds show bond number, face value, interest rate, bondholder's name, date purchased, signatures of the Cayuse War Claims Commissioners and the governor, and date redeemed. Series is arranged alphabetically by bond holder's name.

1847-1858
2.5 cubic feet

Series documents claims filed with the provisional and territorial governments for supplies and services provided to the military and for property destroyed during the Cayuse Indian War. Records include receipts, affidavits, account statements, orders, and certificates of work performed. Series also includes the final determinations of the Cayuse War Claims Commission. Series is arranged chronologically by date of record.

1856
.1 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 34

Series documents Oregon Mounted Volunteer company officer elections. Returns show company name, voter's name, rank of contested position, names of nominated officers, election summary, and commanding officer's signature. Series is arranged alphabetically by company commander's name.

1847-1859
.1 cubic feet

Series documents personnel actions recorded for each member of the Oregon Military Department. Records include enlistment statements, recruit examinations, oaths of office, physical descriptions, appointments, recruit declarations, correspondence, and re enlistment applications. Series is arranged alphabetically by member's name.

1856-1859
.1 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 34 and Calendar Microfilm

Series documents administrative directives issued to set department policies. Orders show order number, date, originating unit, adjutant general's signature. and text of order. Subjects include the formation and organization of military units, musters, inspections, uniform regulations, Indian war maneuvers, and troop assignments. Series is arranged chronologically by order date.

1855-1856
.1 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 34 and Calendar Microfilm

Series documents communications between the governor and the Oregon Militia during the Rogue River and Yakima Indian wars. Letters show correspondent's name, the date, and discussions of troop movements, supplies, military engagements, arms, inter tribal politics, and the formation of military units. Series is arranged chronologically by date of correspondence.

1854-1855
.1 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 34

Series documents the governor's formal communications to the residents of Oregon about declarations of war against the Yakima, Rogue River, and Snake Indian tribes. Three proclamations are manuscript copies, one is a newspaper clipping, and one is a printed broadside. Series is not arranged.

1855-1856
.25 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 34 

Series documents the care of Rogue River Indian War volunteers at the hospital. Entries show patient's name, rank, unit, age, medical condition, date admitted, date discharged, daily symptom record, and treatment record. Series also includes an alphabetical index by patient's surname. Series is arranged chronologically by date of admission.

1847-1858
.1 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 34

Series documents actions of the Oregon Legislative Assembly relating to the Military Department. Records include legislative bills, reports to the legislature, amendments, resolutions, memorials to Congress, committee reports, and a Constitutional Convention (1857) delegate certificate. Series is arranged chronologically by date of record.

1850-1859
2.0 cubic feet

Series documents enlistment and discharge dates for members of Oregon military units. Rolls show company name, commanding officer's name, dates covered by roll, member's name, rank, place and date of muster, remarks, roll summary, and certification. Rolls for the Cayuse, Rogue River, and Yakima Indian Wars are included. Series is arranged chronologically by date of roll.

1855-1859
.1 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 34

Series documents citizen requests for military assistance. Petitions show date, text of request, and petitioners' signatures. Most petitions are requests for protection from attacks by Indians. Series is arranged chronologically by date of petition.

1856
25 cubic feet

Series documents surplus and captured military property sold by public auction at the conclusion of the Rogue River Indian War. Reports show date and location of sale, lot number, purchaser's name and residence, lot description, amount of sale, and remarks. Series is arranged alphabetically by sale location.

1855-1859
.75 cubic feet
Microfilm Reels 34-36

Series documents personal and official communications between Quartermaster J.W. Drew and other individuals and organizations. Correspondence shows date and names of senders and recipients. Subjects include politics, supplies, government property sales, military engagements, trials, the Constitutional Convention (1857), military pay, and the Grande Ronde Reservation. Series is arranged alphabetically by correspondent's surname.

1853-1859
.25 cubic feet

Series documents claims filed with the territorial government for services and supplies provided to the Oregon Military Department during the Rogue River Indian War. Records include receipts, vouchers, account statements, claims, service certificates, affidavits, suspended claims lists, and correspondence. Series is arranged alphabetically by claimant's name.

1854-1858
.1 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 36

Series documents the enlistment of volunteers in the Oregon Militia during the Rogue River Indian War. Rosters show enlistment location, date, signatures of enlistees, and enlistment oath. Series is arranged alphabetically by county name.

1855-1856
.1 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 36

Series documents campaign planning during the Rogue River Indian War. Series includes three maps: an 8"x 2" pencil drawing of south Umpqua County, a 9"x 4" pencil drawing of the upper Coquille River Valley; and an 8"x12" drawing of the upper Rogue River Valley. All maps show rivers, valleys, creeks, and dwellings. Series is not arranged.

1853-1857
6.0 cubic feet

Series documents the Oregon Military Department's purchase and use of supplies during the Rogue River Indian War. Records include requisitions, account statements, vouchers, claims, receipts, supply reports, inventories, shipping bills, and appraisal reports. Supplies include clothing, ordinance, tools, building material, food, and livestock. Series is arranged alphabetically by claimant's surname.

1848-1859
.1 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 36

Series documents administrative directives which prescribe personnel actions for specific members of the Oregon Military Department. Orders show order number, date, and action prescribed. Actions include transfers, discharges, assignments, appointments of officers, travel authorizations, promotions, and Rogue River and Cayuse Indian War assignments. Series is arranged chronologically by year of order.

1856
.1 cubic feet
Microfilm Reel 36

Series documents communications sent by M. C. Barkwell, territorial surgeon general. Series consists of a bound copybook showing date of correspondence, correspondent's name, and text of letter. Subjects include politics, appointment of surgeons in militia companies, hospital reports, and military campaigns in the Rogue River Indian War. Series is arranged chronologically by date of correspondence.

1852-1859
.25 cubic feet

Series documents communications between the US Treasury Department Comptroller and the territorial governor. Letters deal primarily with Cayuse Indian War and Rogue River Indian War claims, but some also discuss territorial audits and finances. Series is arranged chronologically by date of correspondence.

1847-1859
.1 cubic feet

Series documents the activities of military units for the adjutant general. Reports show date, unit name or number, description of activities, and reporting officer's signature. Activities reported include maneuvers, training, military missions, roster changes, and combat. Subjects include the Cayuse Indian and Modoc Indian Wars. Series is arranged chronologically by date of report.

1849-1859
.5 cubic feet
Calendar Microfilm

Series documents the formation of Oregon Militia units. Records include constitutions, by laws, citizen petitions for the formation of militia units, and correspondence. Series is arranged alphabetically by unit location.

Sketch of Whitman mission shows a large dwelling with several smaller outbuildings and two teepees.
Sketch of the Whitman mission. The attack on the Whitman mission prompted the formation of organized militia.