贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > personal memoirs-1 >

第12章

personal memoirs-1-第12章

小说: personal memoirs-1 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!




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

the Florida and Mexican wars。  For the three years previous to his

assignment to the Ninth Infantry he had been stationed on the Pacific

coast; and the experience he had there acquired; added to his

excellent soldierly qualities; was of much benefit in the active

campaigns in which; during the following years; he was to

participate。  Subsequently his career was brought to an untimely

close when; nine years after this period; as he was returning to the

scene of his successes; he; in common with many others was drowned by

the wreck of the ill…fated steamer Brother Jonathan。  Colonel Wright

took command of the district in place of Rains; and had been at

Vancouver but a short time before he realized that it would be

necessary to fight the confederated tribes east of the Cascade Range

of mountains; in order to disabuse them of the idea that they were

sufficiently strong to cope with the power of the Government。  He

therefore at once set about the work of organizing and equipping his

troops for a start in the early spring against the hostile Indians;

intending to make the objective point of his expedition the heart of

the Spokane country on the Upper Columbia River; as the head and

front of the confederation was represented in the person of old

Cammiackan; chief of the Spokanes。



The regiment moved from Fort Vancouver by boat; March 25; 1856; and

landed at the small town called the Dalles; below the mouth of the

Des Chutes River at the eastern base of the Cascade Range; and just

above where the Columbia River enters those mountains。  This

rendezvous was to be the immediate point of departure; and all the

troops composing the expedition were concentrated there。



On the morning of March 26 the movement began; but the column had

only reached Five Mile Creek when the Yakimas; joined by many young

warriors…free lances from other tribes; made a sudden and unexpected

attack at the Cascades of the Columbia; midway between Vancouver and

the Dalles; killed several citizens; women and children; and took

possession of the Portage by besieging the settlers in their cabins

at the Upper Cascades; and those who sought shelter at the Middle

Cascades in the old military block…house; which had been built some

years before as a place of refuge under just such circumstances。

These points held out; and were not captured; but the landing at the

Lower Cascades fell completely into the hands of the savages。

Straggling settlers from the Lower Cascades made their way down to

Fort Vancouver; distant about thirty…six miles; which they reached

that night; and communicated the condition of affairs。  As the

necessity for early relief to the settlers and the re…establishment

of communication with the Dalles were apparent; all the force that

could be spared was ordered out; and in consequence I immediately

received directions to go with my detachment of dragoons; numbering

about forty effective men; to the relief of the middle blockhouse;

which really meant to retake the Cascades。  I got ready at once; and

believing that a piece of artillery would be of service to me; asked

for one; but as there proved to be no guns at the post; I should have

been obliged to proceed without one had it not been that the regular

steamer from San Francisco to Portland was lying at the Vancouver

dock unloading military supplies; and the commander; Captain Dall;

supplied me with the steamer's small iron cannon; mounted on a wooden

platform; which he used in firing salutes at different ports on the

arrival and departure of the vessel。  Finding at the arsenal a supply

of solid shot that would fit the gun; I had it put upon the steamboat

Belle; employed to carry my command to the scene of operations; and

started up the Columbia River at 2 A。M。 on the morning of the 27th。

We reached the Lower Cascades early in the day; where; selecting a

favorable place for the purpose; I disembarked my men and gun on the

north bank of the river; so that I could send back the steamboat to

bring up any volunteer assistance that in the mean time might have

been collected at Vancouver。



The Columbia River was very high at the time; and the water had

backed up into the slough about the foot of the Lower Cascades to

such a degree that it left me only a narrow neck of firm ground to

advance over toward the point occupied by the Indians。  On this neck

of land the hostiles had taken position; as I soon learned by

frequent shots; loud shouting; and much blustering; they; by the most

exasperating yells and indecent exhibitions; daring me to the

contest。



After getting well in hand everything connected with my little

command; I advanced with five or six men to the edge of a growth of

underbrush to make a reconnoissance。  We stole along under cover of

this underbrush until we reached the open ground leading over the

causeway or narrow neck before mentioned; when the enemy opened fire

and killed a soldier near my side by a shot which; just grazing the

bridge of my nose; struck him in the neck; opening an artery and

breaking the spinal cord。  He died instantly。  The Indians at once

made a rush for the body; but my men in the rear; coming quickly to

the rescue; drove them back; and Captain Doll's gun being now brought

into play; many solid shot were thrown into the jungle where they lay

concealed; with the effect of considerably moderating their

impetuosity。  Further skirmishing at long range took place at

intervals during the day; with little gain or loss; however; to

either side; for both parties held positions which could not be

assailed in flank; and only the extreme of rashness in either could

prompt a front attack。  My left was protected by the back water

driven into the slough by the high stage of the river; and my right

rested secure on the main stream。  Between us was only the narrow

neck of land; to cross which would be certain death。  The position of

the Indians was almost the exact counterpart of ours。



In the evening I sent a report of the situation back to Vancouver by

the steamboat; retaining a large Hudson's Bay bateau which I had

brought up with me。  Examining this I found it would carry about

twenty men; and made up my mind that early next morning I would cross

the command to the opposite or south side of the Columbia River; and

make my way up along the mountain base until I arrived abreast the

middle blockhouse; which was still closely besieged; and then at some

favorable point recross to the north bank to its relief; endeavoring

in this manner to pass around and to the rear of the Indians; whose

position confronting me was too strong for a direct attack。  This

plan was hazardous; but I believed it could be successfully carried

out if the boat could be taken with me; but should I not be able to

do this I felt that the object contemplated in sending me out would

miserably fail; and the small band cooped up at the block…house would

soon starve or fall a prey to the Indians; so I concluded to risk all

the chances the plan involved。



On the morning of March 28 the savages were still in my front; and

after giving them some solid shot from Captain Dall's gun we slipped

down to the river…bank; and the detachment crossed by means of the

Hudson's Bay boat; making a landing on the opposite shore at a point

where the south channel of the river; after flowing around Bradford's

Island; joins the main stream。  It was then about 9 o'clock; and

everything had thus far proceeded favorably; but examination of the

channel showed that it would be impossible to get the boat up the

rapids along the mainland; and that success could only be assured by

crossing the south channel just below the rapids to the island; along

the shore of which there was every probability we could pull the boat

through the rocks and swift water until the head of the rapids was

reached; from which point to the block…h

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的