, 1863-10-10
SALMON FALLS, Sept. 18th, 1868.


Sept 9th, from Camas Prairie, / stated
that the Cavalry Of his command would
likely 90 by way of Salmon Falls, and the
Infantry by way of Boise Well that
programme has been carried out, so far
We left the former place on the 1lth inst.
and arrived here on the 14th-distance 40
miles. There is no road from here to Cam
as Prairie, except merely an Indian trail,
and it is one Of the worst trails that we
have travelled over tbs season. The trail
for the entire distance leads over vast
field of lava and volcanic cinders The
country through here is pretty much the
same as that seen in going from the latter
place 10 Fort Hall The whole region
bears trace of volcanic action, at some
remote period of the worlds history In
fact I have seen but very little good coun-
try Immediately bordering upon Snake
river. The greater portion of the Snake
river country is Of no practicable benefit
either for grazing or agricultural purposes.
We Gro. the river on the 18th inst. and
have established camp on Falls creek
There is Ferry at this point The Boat
Is owned by parties residing in Boise, and
was brought here from that place some
time in July last for the purpose of cross
ing the emigration, but there being but a
small emigration, and no one crossing at
this point the parties abandoned their en-
terprisr, sunk their boat and left The
Salt Lake Express Co., have since raised
the boat and it is now used by that Co.
for the purpose of crossing their express.
This express was formerly carried by way
of Fort Hall, but by this route it is one
hundred miles nearer from Boise to Salt
Lake than by way of the former.
There are about two hundred Indians
encamped in this vicinity and they are all
peaceably opposed Capt. Crawford's En-
igrant Escort crossed Snake river at this
point
would close this communication here,
were it not that l have heard it hintod that
Mr. Cole, your Delegate elect to Congress,
is Copperhead, and that all his sympathi-
zers are classed as such; and more than
that, the author Of the letter, dated Cam
as Prairie, August 9th, 1868, was strongly
Suspected of Copperhead proclvites, be-
cause he, in that letter ventured an opin-
ion in favor of Mr. Cole. Now, if Cole is
a Copperheal ], l am not a Cole man. And,
although not voter, by reason Of my be
ing soldier, yet as a citizen of w. T, l
feel an interest in its welfare, and take a
pride in seeing our Territory ably repre-
sented in Congress by her Delegate, be be
a Democrat or Republican Being Of
Democratic sympathy, and considering Mr.
Cole by far the most competent OF the
candidates in the field to repres Mt us in
Congress. l naturally enough expressed an
opinion IN his favor; and have seen moth
ing since TO cause me to change my opin-
ion Although sworn to support the Ad-
ninistration Of Mr. Lincoln with All oath
l intend to re>pect, yet / do not consider
that that oath which l took upon becoming
a soldier in the U s. Army, deprives me of
the right to maintain principles which had
long been founded and cherished ere this
present rebellion broke out. intend to
support this present Administration so far
as war meas ures are concerned, tut shall in
Sst upon maintaining Democratic views
such as were taught me by my ancestors,
and btli.ve them to be sound doctrine.-
Yet, let it be distinctly understood, that
for all l am democratic in sentiment, am
in favor Of V gorous prosecution of the
efforts of the Government to crush out and
quench the flames of rebelion that is now
burning at the Temple Of Liberty if I were
not would not be here. And again, l do
not consider it necessary, that in order to
be Union man one must of necessity be-
iang to the Republican party; but believe
in a cans having the right to bo a Demo
crat. if IL lis judgment he sees fit. may
have occasion to refer to this matter again.
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