Year: 1875

ing during the night was almost Mi
raculous. We were not permitted to
make fire, and we were compelled
to walk or rather run until ordered
to march. We danced the war dance
in all its varied forms and every
other kind of dance we could think
of, It was rather a novel sight to
see men thus engaged who were ex-
pecting to be marched into battle be-
fore the dawn of day, but it was
Hopkins choice with us, and l don't
think we could be censured for dane
ing under such circumstances; at
least my conscience never troubled
me over it. At three we were order
ed to mount and proceed TO the scene
OF action. We did SO, and at first
sight we saw all that the others had
seen, but after closer inspection Of
the place we found we had been de-
ceived. The camp was nothing more
than twenty huge rocks lying in such
manner as to resemble a camp with
lodges in rows after the Indian mode
of forming camps, 1t is easy to i'm
agine The chagrin of the Capt. and
men over such sell, and It was q
long time before the boys heard the
last of the Owyhee sell. For my
part I had not lost any Indians and
did not care to be sold ON that part
of the question.


We then returned and wintered at
Fort Boise. We had very pleasant
time and little to do until spring.
While here we had the misfortune t.
loose two of our comrades under the
following circumstances: Ono Of
them by the name of Shea was placed
in the guard-house, for some misde-
meanor, and the prisoners obtaining
whiskey they got on a glorious
drunk, some of them being almost
like maniacs. They run the guard
away from the guard-house and TAX
ing possession of it threatened the
life of any one attempting their ar
rest, and being we'll armed, it was
danger GUS to go near the windows
or door, as they were ready to shoot
the first who should do so. The
cavalry was ordered out to the num-
ber of thirty, and marched to the
guard-house and ordered to arrest
them, and to shoot the first man that
resisted. AS the door was forced
open the prisoners all fed to their
cells except Shea. who was shot and
instantly killed by one Of his com
rades, but being in obedience to Or
ders and TO save his own life, he was
not to blame. The next was Perry
G. McCord, of Lane county, Oregon.
There had been a man placed in the
guard-house by the civil authorities
for murder, and the citizens organ
izing vigilance committee came to
the place where he was confined, and
surprising the guard, took the man
out and hanged him within sight of
the fort. This somewhat excited the
soldiers, as there was still another
prisoner confined there, and they
were fearful that an attempt would
be made to hang him also, One
night McCord came running into the
guard-house at full speed, and some
of the boys supposing it to be anoth-
er vigilance raid, shot McCord as he
entered the door. 1t wasa sad affair,
and one cannot help but think OF the
old axiom that "intemperance kills
more than sword" for Of the num-
Der that left Vancouver, in that COM
mand, three we're killed directly or
indirectly from the influence Of in
toxicating liquors, and one was slain
in battle, though many werewounded.


Leaving Boise in the spring the
command was marched into the In
! dian country, and were placed under
the command Of regular officers, and
employed as scouts for part of the
summer. They were kept busy, and
during the last campaign Of the first
Oregon cavalry, William Phillips, of
Company d. was killed. A COM
mand Of one hundred and thirty
men, under the command Of an off
Ger, II shall not mention bis nano)
were scouting upon the head waters
Of Owyheeriver. They had iustcross-
ed the river and were preparing to
camp. The commanding officerorder-
ed Phillips and one other man to as
eend the cliff, by the way Of the
trail, and see il he could find any
late sign Of Indians. They immedi-
ately obeyed, and had assembled but
part way when the Indians fred
upon them, knocking Phillips from
his horse. The other man jumped
from his horse and run for dear life
down the hill to the command, but
Phillips was lassoed and drawn up
over the cliff in sight Of the com
maDd. Lieut.. Pepoon Immediately
started with ten men to rescue him,
but was ordered back, and the men
! had to stand and see their comrade
taken to torture, without being able
TO render him any assistance. What
was his fate has never been known,
as his remains we're never found, but
il is supposed that he was taken TO
distant camp and then tortured to
death. Poor boy, there is no spot
marking his last resting place, but
his memory is ever fresh to his COM
rades who knew him, as a brave and
true hearted boy, and should this
meet the eye Of any Of his relatives
they will know something Of his fate,
and that he died manfully discharg-
ing his duties. May / never witness
such a scene again. A retreat was or
dered Immediately, and after crossing
all butfour men by means Of n raft, the
rope parted, leaving them on the OPP
posite side Of the river, and strange
TO say there was nothing done
to help them, but the command or
dered to fall into line, and we're
marched of without the privilege Of