Indian War Papers: III. The Bannock Campaign [pp. 95-102]

1887.] 7~e Bannock Cantpaign. 95
No one can. The voice was very feeble dead against you both-but its running
and husky. Nellie, I heard you last with you now. I called the turn just at the
night. I came down to say good-by to right time"-and a faint chuckle followed.
Southack. I came in the back of the Helen shuddered. I bet my last chipcabin, and heard you stand him off. You that I-leaded that cuss-that lit out. It
did right, Nellie. i'm a broken-down old wasn't bad-for an old soaker-like me,"
card sharp, but you did right. I am proud and the old man rambled off into delinum.
of you, Nellie-my brave little girl! I But when the grey of night settled over
have led you a very hell of a life-but I Black Bear Gulch again, he lay quiet enough,
haze always loved you. You have been a with his eyes closed and his wife's kiss on
good and true wife, and now-after a while his cold lips. The game had been all in
-you will have a good husband. He's his hands, and right bravely had he played it.
white, Nellie. Stand by him. Luck was JI. W leavens.
INDIAN WAR PAPERS. 111.-THE BANNOCK CAMPAIGN.
lava beds, where the first bloodshed had
I. occurred. They were hastening thither by
Meanwhile, the entire Northwest was full water, by rail, and by marching —infantry
of movement and excitement. The usual and artillerymen from Fort Vancouver near
operation of mobilizing forces, which in Portland, from Forts Stevens and Can by,
Europe always creates consternation, occurs near the mouth of the Columbia, and from
in any corner of this country the instant Fort Townsend on the Puget Sound. After
hostile Indians begin their work of murder, reaching Umatilla, all these soldiers were to
outrage, and robbery. Of course, here, follow the overland stage road eastward for
the numbers of men to be moved are small, a hundred miles, getting such lifts as they
but the posts are far apart, and great dis- could in transportation wagons, riding and
tances have to be spanned before any con- walking by turns. Fort Walla ~~lla fursiderable force can get to a rendezvous. nished its contingent, two troops of cavalry
A commander in Indian warfare is im- -Whipple's and Perry's; Bendire's was alpatient, and chafes at the exaggerated re- ready across the Blue Ridge, making for
ports coming to him from every quarter. Walla Walla under previous instructions,
The experience, however, of the Nez Perce' but was quickly turned back, so that the
war and of the Custer massacre taught us beautiful route across the mountains was
never again, if it could possibly be avoided, alive with marching men. Half-way beto send an inadequate body of men against tween the Columbia and the California line
the Indians, after they had had time to con- was a front~er garrison at Camp Harney,
centrate. which sent forward at once McGreggor's
As a city fire-brigade promptly rushes at troop of cavalry and Downey's company of
the first alarm to a burning building, so the infantry. They, with many misgivings, left
troops of the Northwest sped on from every behind them to protect their women and
garrison, toward the Camas Prairie and the children but a small guard. At the same