The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-04-03
Military Items.


Segment to duty.
Captain John q. Adams, assumed the du-
ties OF Department Quartermaster at this
place on the LIST instant.
Lieut. T. Hunter, LIST Cavalry, came up
on the Oregon with small detachment of
recruits for the companies serving in this
department.
Mr. S. X. Mayors has resigned his posi-
ton in the Quartermaster's Department, and
expects to return to his home in Mississippi
on the next steamer.
Major o. ID. Greene, Assistant and Adju-
tant General has been ordered by the Sec
rotary of War to report for duty here as Ad-
jutant General of this Military Department.
Lieut. f. j. Farrow, DIST Infantry, with
detachment of six men, arrived at the fort
on Saturday from Fort Townsend and left
Monday morning for Umatila Agency where
the detachment viii be temporarily stationed.
Major G. o. Halter of WILDLY Island,
has received dispatch informing him that
the President will order his trial in Wash
ington, and will leave for the capital in a
few days. Ex-senator Mitchell, OF Oregon,
will act rs his counsel in the trial
General Sherman has ordered a general
court-martial to convene at Fort Vancouver
on the 18th inst, for the trial of Captain
Charles Bendire, LIST Cavalry, now stationed
at Fort Walla Walla. The court will con-
sist of Col. Alfred Sully, Lieut.. Col. Alex.
Chambers, 2lst Infantry; Major d. p.
Hancock, Captain NJ. A. Cochran, Captain
j. S. Conrad, ID Infantry; Captains c. b.
Throcllmorton and H. c. Hasbrouck, 4th
Artillery; Captains Evan Miles, Patrick
Collins and G. NJ. Downey, DIST Infantry;
Captain S. G. Whpple, LIST Cavalry. Major
f.. c. Mason, DIST Infantry, is Judge Advo-
cate of the court. The charges against
Captain Bendire are preferred by Lieut.. Col.
Elmer Otis, eth cavalry, on account of the al
legged useof some opprobrious epithets against
him by the former and the trial will be
watched with interest by military men.
Lieut.. Col. Otis, Captain Benteen and Lieu
tenants Gresham and Russell, 9TH Cavalry,
stationed in Dakota Territory have been
ordered to report here as witnesses for the
prosecution, and some twenty witnesses
have been summoned by the defense.
DROWNING OF CAPT GEo. SMITH On
Friday last our town was startled by the
news that Capt. Smith had been drowned
near Willow bar. The best account OF the
accident is from the ''Oregonian of the 10Th
March, which we reproduce, as follows:
yesterday morning the little steamer
City of Quincy, under command of Capt.
| Buchanan, came to her wharf, at the foot
of Namhlll street, with the flag Displayed at
half mast. On making inquiries to ascertain
the cause it was learned that the first mate,
Capt. Geo. Smith, had fallen overheard near
| Willow bar, while on the way to this city,
and drowned. To gentleman who was ON
board the City of Quincy at the time of the
sad accident, We are indebted for the follow
ing particulars:
While making landing at Alexander.
the first mate was at the foot plank ready
to run 1t ashore at the proper time. From
some cause the plank slipped from his grasp
and III the endeavor to regain his hold he
lost his footing and in a moment more was
struggling in the water Capt. buchanan
was at the wheel and was the first to notice
the man falling from the boat He immedi-
ately signaled the engineer to back. and
then every effort was made to save the
drowning man. Life perservers were thrown
to him, one OF which hit him in the face,
but apparently he did not notice them.
swimming away from the foot plank that
went overheard with and fell under him.
A small boat was quickly lowered. but be-
fore it could reach him Smith had disap-
peared, the waves had closed over him and
sank into a watery grave. While in the
water he appeared to be swimming very
wildly, and those witnessing his struggles
think he must have been badly hurt in the
fall by the foot plank.
Captain Smith was about 80 years of age,
and resided at Vancouver where he leaves a
wife He was a prominent member of the
Vancouver Lodge OF |. O.. o. f., and by all
that knew him was highly esteemed for his
many good qualities OF heart and mind He
had been employed on the Columbia river
for the past fourteen years, and had been in
the employ of Capt. Buchanan for about
year. There were from seven 70 fifteen feet
of water in the ship channel where he was
drowned. An effort will be made to recover
the body. Capt. Buchanan of the Quincy
greatly deplores the loss OF his mate, to
whom he had become greatly attached. and
the distressing accident viii be mourned by
large number of friends OF the unfortunate
man.