The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-07

Ls<f34AS&X.Ss%#E fTlat particular tulllS,
MySSSk9HNSW he continued, sis that
NSSSS$GMLZTH sheridan seriously con-
&$$$$nsNlB templated leaving the
w. army, while he held the
D. rank ofsecond lieutenant,
p IT. Sheridan as a and of going into the cow
Second Lieutenant. punching business. HOW
do know it? I'm the very man he commune
Gated this intention to. 1t was In 1907 VI
Whereabouts, and young Sheridan was seeolu
lieutenant in Colonel Wrights command at
Walla Walla. To make plain how IL came
about I'll have to tell you how the dashlne
fellow came to be hauled over the Goals Dy MS
commander for an exhibition ofrash judgment.
"Post life, with it's daily repetition OF routine
duties was rather irksome to the active Sheri-
dan, and what made the situation more tire
some to him was the existence of official set
which was q sort of aristocracy OF wealth,
and this set affected to look down on Sheridan
as one of the poorer class. This chafed the boy,
and more than once heard him railing against
the fate that had led him into such discontinue
in the army. But the climax OF Sheridans
humiliation was reached when he met with
sharp and, in sense well-merited rebuke
from his commanding officer, because of the
second lieutenant's somewhat peculiar and
rather unfortunate method of conducting
certain military movement intrusted to him.
"You see, two rival tribes of Indians-the
Yakimas and the Walla Wallas-had been en-
gagged in dispute over the occupancy of some
hunting, fishing and pasturage grounds
claimed by both tribes, and the contention
babe fair to break out into open hostility.
The Government wasn't hankering after an
Indian war, and means TO prevent such cul-
mination were speedily adopted.
"a detachment of troops consisting of both
cavalry and infantry was accordingly sent to
the seat of trouble, and with it went Sheridan
in the capacity OF second in command.
GA close watch was kept on the quarrellng
hostiles for some days, and at length the scouts
brought in the information that the contend
ing forces had everything in readiness for
hostile meeting that would probably result in
much bloodshed.
"The opposing bands were located upon OPP
posite sides of the Snake River, and the Walla
Wallas, the aggressors, were preparing to cross
and drive back the Yakimas. The crossing of
the stream was ordinarily effected by swim
ming the horses. There were two points about
two miles apart that were favorable to this
purpose. The Walla Wallas made feint as if
to cross at the lower point and the Yakimas
drew up and prepared to receive them there.
"Blinding the enemy to their real purpose,
the Walla Wallas proposed to push up the
river by concealed path to the upper ford,
and then, crossing, to take the foe in flank and
rear and by complete surprise rout their
enemy in short order.
"Only the interference of Government troops
could stop the raid, and the troops were
closely watched. The last quarter of mile of
the route leading to the upper ford was along
fiat sandy beach, f1anked on the left by a high
and almost perpendicular cliff, and washed on
the right by the waters of the Snake. This beach
was funnel-shaped, about 200 feet wide at the
lower end, and by the course of the river it
sloped off to a point, where the waters flowed
along the foot of the cliff.
''Now it was the purpose of the commander
of the troops to allow the Indians to enter that
pocket, and then, by sudden descent. close in
and trap the red warriors before they could
cross the river.
ITO Sheridan was intrusted the carrying out
of this plan, and his head must have been filled
with glorious anticipations as he received his
orders. Here at last was active service, and
perhaps good fighting.
"The character of the ground and the nature
of the task before him had been set forth in
his orders, but the method of executing the
duty was left to his own discretion.
with all the intrepidity for which he after
ward became famous, he rode rapidly away at
the head of his men, and soon neared the point
where the meeting with the Indians was ex-
pected to occur, when scout rode up with
the information that some OF the Indians were
at that moment entering the pocket. Sure that
he had his game in the trap and fearful that it
might escape him by swimming the river at
the upper end of the funnel, the young officer,
without stopping to consider carefully the
nature of the work before him, at once ordered
the bugles to sound the charge, and clapping
spurs to his horse he plunged forward, yelling
like demon. His excitement instantly COM
municated to the men, and they rushed after
him at headlong speed, initiating his example
by whooping to the full extent of their lung
power. There Sheridan Numbered. The In
dams who had been seen entering the pocket
were only half dozen, comprising the adj
vance guard of the Walla Wallas, the main
body being still back in the hills making their
way cautiously toward the river.
"That was enough for the Indians. They
scampered away and the expectant whites
found no more glory than did the expectant
Walla Wallas, for even the half dozen redskins
in the pocket escaped by swimming their
horses to the opposite shore.
"Appreeiatng the depth of his mistake,
chagrined and mortified, and disguised with
the world in general, he led his troop back to
camp and reported.
'The colonel listened to his report and then
in the presence of all rebuked Sheridan for
carelessness and lack of ordinary prudence and
judgment commenting upon the mental quail
ties of an officer who could hope to circumvent
the willy warriors of the rolling prairies
through the sounding OF trumpets and the lu-
macy of yelling He continued in this strain of
censure and reprimand for some moments and
then dismissed Sheridan to his routine duties.
The young man left headquarters amid looks
of pity and smiles of derision.
"For several days don't think he spoke to
person besides myself when he could avoid
doing so. His humiliation was very deep. and
it was evident the iron had entered his soul
and that he was contemplating some step of a
very serious nature.
''He frequently visited my quarters and
spent hours with me out among the stock.
where my duties as foreman of the herders
compelled me to spend much of my time. He
was continually interrogating me as to the
general character of my employment; the ex-
perience necessary; how much time was re-
quired to be put in; whether my work was
pleasant or otherwise; what wages received
and so on. answered the questions as best I
could. liked the young fellow and was