The final battle of the 1855-56 Rogue River War was fought less than a mile upriver from this view at a horseshoe turn in the river called Big Bend. Following peace talks at Oak Flats in May of 1856, Capt. Andrew Smith led his infantrymen upriver to the meadows at Big Bend to await the arrival of the tribes who had agreed to surrender. Meanwhile, natives making their way there were being attacked by volunteer militia, and the Indians at the meadows gradually grew alarmed. Seeing the change in their demeanor, Smith took up a defensive position on a low ridge near Foster Creek and soon found himself under attack from all sides by combined forces led by old Chief John. The troops were finally rescued after nearly two days of fighting by Capt. Christopher Augur's troops, after losing seven men and about 20 wounded. Chief John slipped away with about 30 warriors, but eventually surrendered a month later on the coast.