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residence of the priest。  Its destruction was a matter of but a few

moments。  A large heap of dry wood was quickly collected and piled in

the building; matches applied; and the whole Mission; including the

priest's house; was soon enveloped in flames; and burned to the

ground before the officers in camp became aware of the disgraceful

plundering in which their men were engaged。



The commanding officer having received no news from Captain Maloney

during the day; Colonel Nesmith and I were ordered to go to his

rescue; as it was concluded that he had been surrounded by Indians in

the Natchez Pass。  We started early the next morning; the snow

falling slightly as we set out; and soon arrived at the eastern mouth

of the Natchez Pass。  On the way we noticed an abandoned Indian

village; which had evidently not been occupied for some time。  As we

proceeded the storm increased; and the snow…fall became deeper and

deeper; until finally our horses could not travel through it。  In

consequence we were compelled to give up further efforts to advance;

and obliged to turn back to the abandoned village; where we encamped

for the night。  Near night…fall the storm greatly increased; and our

bivouac became most uncomfortable; but spreading my blankets on the

snow and covering them with Indian matting; I turned in and slept

with that soundness and refreshment accorded by nature to one

exhausted by fatigue。  When I awoke in the morning I found myself

under about two feet of snow; from which I arose with difficulty; yet

grateful that it had kept me warm during the night。



After a cup of coffee and a little hard bread; it was decided we

should return to the main camp near the Mission; for we were now

confident that Maloney was delayed by the snow; and safe enough on

the other side of the mountains。  At all events he was beyond aid

from us; for the impassable snowdrifts could not be overcome with the

means in our possession。  It turned out that our suppositions as to

the cause of his delay were correct。  He had met with the same

difficulties that confronted us; and had been compelled to go into

camp。



Meanwhile valuable time had been lost; and the Indians; with their

families and stock; were well on their way to the Okenagan country; a

region into which we could not penetrate in the winter season。  No

other course was therefore left but to complete the dismal failure of

the expedition by returning home; and our commander readily gave the

order to march back to the Dalles by the 〃short〃 route over the

Yakima Mountains。



As the storm was still unabated; it was evident our march home would

be a most difficult one; and it was deemed advisable to start back at

once; lest we should be blocked up in the mountains by the snows for

a period beyond which our provisions would not last。  Relying on the

fact that the short route to the Dalles would lead us over the range

at its most depressed point; where it was hoped the depth of snow was

not yet so great as to make the route impassable; we started with

Colonel Nesmith's battalion in advance to break the road; followed by

my dragoons。  In the valley we made rapid progress; but when we

reached the mountain every step we took up its side showed the snow

to be growing deeper and deeper。  At last Nesmith reached the summit;

and there found a depth of about six feet of snow covering the

plateau in every direction; concealing all signs of the trail so

thoroughly that his guides became bewildered and took the wrong

divide。  The moment I arrived at the top my guideDonald Mc Kaywho

knew perfectly the whole Yakima range; discovered Nesmith's mistake。

Word was sent to bring him back; but as he had already nearly crossed

the plateau; considerable delay occurred before he returned。  When he

arrived we began anew the work of breaking a road for the foot troops

behind us; my detachment now in advance。  The deep snow made our work

extremely laborious; exhausting men and horses almost to the point of

relinquishing the struggle; but our desperate situation required that

we should get down into the valley beyond; or run the chance of

perishing on the mountain in a storm which seemed unending。  About

midnight the column reached the valley; very tired and hungry; but

much elated over its escape。  We had spent a day of the most intense

anxiety; especially those who had had the responsibility of keeping

to the right trail; and been charged with the hard work of breaking

the road for the infantry and artillery through such a depth of snow。



Our main difficulties were now over; and in due time we reached the

Dalles; where almost everyone connected with the expedition voted it

a wretched failure; indeed; General Rains himself could not think

otherwise; but he scattered far and wide blame for the failure of his

combinations。  This; of course; led to criminations and

recriminations; which eventuated in charges of incompetency preferred

against him by Captain Edward O。 C。 Ord; of the Third Artillery。

Rains met the charges with counter…charges against Ord; whom he

accused of purloining Father Pandoza's shoes; when the soldiers in

their fury about the ammunition destroyed the Mission。  At the time

of its destruction a rumor of this nature was circulated through

camp; started by some wag; no doubt in jest; for Ord; who was

somewhat eccentric in his habits; and had started on the expedition

rather indifferently shod in carpet…slippers; here came out in a

brand…new pair of shoes。  Of course there was no real foundation for

such a report; but Rains was not above small things; as the bringing

of this petty accusation attests。  Neither party was ever tried; for

General John E。 Wool the department commander; had not at command a

sufficient number of officers of appropriate rank to constitute a

court in the case of Rains; and the charges against Ord were very

properly ignored on account of their trifling character。



Shortly after the expedition returned to the Dalles; my detachment

was sent down to Fort Vancouver; and I remained at that post during

the winter of 1855…'56; till late in March。









CHAPTER V。



AN INDIAN CONFEDERATIONMASSACRE AT THE CASCADES OF THE COLUMBIA…

…PLAN TO RELIEVE THE BLOCKHOUSEA HAZARDOUS FLANK MOVEMENTA NEW

METHOD OF ESTABLISHING GUILTEXECUTION OF THE INDIAN MURDERERS。



The failure of the Haller expedition from lack of a sufficient force;

and of the Rains expedition from the incompetency of its commander;

was a great mortification to the officers and men connected with

them; and; taken together; had a marked effect upon the Indian

situation in Oregon and Washington Territories at that particular

era。  Besides; it led to further complications and troubles; for it

had begun to dawn upon the Indians that the whites wanted to come in

and dispossess them of their lands and homes; and the failures of

Haller and Rains fostered the belief with the Indians that they could

successfully resist the pressure of civilization。



Acting under these influences; the Spokanes; Walla Wallas; Umatillas;

and Nez Perces cast their lot with the hostiles; and all the savage

inhabitants of the region east of the Cascade Range became involved

in a dispute as to whether the Indians or the Government should

possess certain sections of the country; which finally culminated in

the war of 1856。



Partly to meet the situation that was approaching; the Ninth Infantry

had been sent out from the Atlantic coast to Washington Territory;

and upon its arrival at Fort Vancouver encamped in front of the

officers' quarters; on the beautiful parade…ground of that post; and

set about preparing for the coming campaign。  The commander; Colonel

George Wright; who had been promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment

upon its organization the previous year; had seen much active duty

since his graduation over thirty years before; serving with credit in

the Florida and Mexican wars。  For th

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