USA > Wyoming > The history of Wyoming from the earliest known discoveries > Part 34
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After the arrival of the troops from the east and their distribution along the stage road, the Indians as far west as the South Pass seemed to hesitate about continuing their depredations, and for a time peace prevailed, but it was not to last any lengthened period. The Indians, seeing the formidable force, required time to plan and carry out a new sort of campaign. They now adopted a system of harrass- ing the troops, and the officers found it dangerous to send out men to repair the telegraph line without giving them strong escort. Emigrants continued to put in an appear- ance on the road, and what was remarkable, few of them were armed in a manner to secure the protection of them-
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selves and families. They relied on the soldiers to see them safely through the dangerous country, and the result was that many of them lost their stock and not a few of them their lives.
In May, 1862, the first division of the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, sometimes called the Sixth, Colonel Collins in command, reached Fort Laramie, and these troops were at once sent out to guard the stage and telegraph line west as far as Pacific Springs. They were scattered in small detach- ments and did escort duty, accompanying stages and emi- grant trains. The service proved very severe, but the offi- cers and men performed it without a murmur. They had numerous slight engagements with prowling bands, and occasionally a soldier was killed. The great difficulty was to protect the telegraph line. As the Indians had found out that this was a part of the duty of the troops, they kept them busy making repairs. The most serious difficulty that oc- curred that season was at Independence Rock, Split Rock and the Three Crossings of the Sweetwater.
On June 16, 1862, what was known as the emigrant road expedition left Omaha and proceeded up the north side of the Platte River, up the Sweetwater, over the Lander cut-off, near Fort Hall, and thence down on the south side of Snake River to Oregon. The expedition was ordered by the Secre- tary of War, and Captain Medorem Crawford was in charge, having under him fifty mounted men. This officer, in his re- port, says: "From the best information in my possession, I estimate the emigration to Oregon and Washington this year, 10,000 souls. There were also many on the road to California, Salt Lake and Denver." This officer also report- ed that emigrants had started out with a mistaken impres- sion as to the condition of the roads and the prevalence of grass along the route. Teams were overloaded, and when they left the valley of the Platte they began to give out. First furniture was thrown out to lighten the load, then many wagons abandoned, and in quite a number of instances disabled cattle were left along the trail.
"The first evidence of Indian depredations we saw was
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a grave at the crossing of New Fork on Green River. From the inscription placed over it we learned that Patrick Mo- ran, of Missouri, was killed by Indians on the 18th of July and two men wounded. We passed this place August 11, about three weeks after, at which time no Indians were to be seen. The next grave was on La Barge Creek, in the Bear River Mountains. On the head-board of the grave was inscribed: 'Opened by Kavanaugh's train on the 27th of July, 1862. The body of a man found too badly decayed for removal. One shot in the temple and an arrow shot. Sup- posed to have been killed by Indians.'
"On the 25th day of August we passed the graves of the following persons: One unknown man found by Captain Glenn's party, August 13. He had been shot in the back of the head with buckshot. Three miles farther there were five graves, side by side, of persons supposed to have been killed by Indians. Rufus C. Mitchell, N. Howie, James Steel, Da- vid Whitmer and Frank Sessions were the names inscribed over them. This was in the vicinity of Fort Hall, and hap- pened on the 9th of August, we passing on the 25th. We learned from the ferry-man that while these five men were slain by Indians twenty armed men from the same train stood upon a hill near by and made no attempt to rescue their comrades. There the strong reasons for believing that white men bore a part in this massacre. Between Fort Hall and Raft River we found four graves of men supposed to have been killed by Indians on the 9th of August. After passing Raft River we found the grave of a Miss Adams, who was shot on the 9th and died on the 12th. We passed here August 31, twenty-two days after the fight. About the same time a Mr. Phillips left his train to go fishing, alone and unarmed, and was taken by Indians, and is supposed to have been killed. This happened near Goose Creek. It will be seen that the number killed, of which we have posi- tive information, is about fifteen. No emigrants have at any time been troubled by Indians while in the vicinity of my company, but from the disposition shown toward the advance trains, it is easy to see that the later and weaker parties would have been easily cut off had it not been for the protection afforded them by the government. Near old Fort Hall a ferry had been established, and many emigrants had crossed in pursuit of the mines. Some went to Fort Lemhi, others to the Deer Lodge Prairie, while others kept down the north side of Snake River and recrossed the stream at Boise. From what was told me, I am satisfied that many
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were induced to cross at Fort Hall by the representations of these ferrymen, which turned out unreliable. About twenty wagons which had crossed and met a returning par- ty, were induced to recross and join those who were already under my escort. At this point I had 125 wagons of emi- grants under my charge and I found many of their teams so weak that they could not travel over ten miles per day, others being able to proceed faster; and in order to give protection to all, I divided my company, placing the advance party in charge of my principal assistant, Mr. Le Roy Craw- ford, while I remained with the rear and weaker party. From this point my journey was extremely slow. Many of the emigrants were short of provisions, which deficiency I had to supply. Others had difficulties among themselves which I was obliged to settle. The grass was very scarce and their stock would scatter during the night, so that fre- quently my men would spend hours in looking after them in the morning. We cured their sick, fed their destitute, hunted, and in some instances drove their teams, mended their wagons, hauled their goods, settled their disputes and kept them moving. Two men died and one was drowned in Snake River. With these exceptions, every man, woman and child that had traveled in my vicinity reached the set- tlements in safety."
I make use of the above both for the purpose of the his- torical facts contained in this officer's report and to show the conditions prevailing along the Overland trail that year. Captain Crawford was certainly a model officer to have charge of such an expedition, and it cannot be otherwise than that he endeared himself to many unfortunate emi- grants on the trail. We will now turn our attention to events happening between South Pass and Salt Lake.
On August 6th, Colonel P. Edward Connor of the Third Infantry, California Volunteers, assumed command of the District of Utah and from the first commenced a vigorous prosecution of the war against Indians. This gallant offi- cer was much annoyed at the prevalence throughout Utah of a disloyal sentiment toward the government, and conse- quently on assuming command of the district he enjoined upon all commanders of posts, camps and detachments to cause to be promptly arrested all persons endeavoring to
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destroy and defame the principles and institutions of a government under whose benign influence they had been so long protected, and he further ordered that such persons be confined until they had taken the oath of allegiance to the United States, and he further added, "Traitors shall not utter treasonable sentiment in this district with impunity, but must seek a more genial soil or receive the punishment they so richly merit." The Utah district extended east at that time to a point between Big Sandy Station and Pacific Springs.
Colonel Connor had under his command a couple of Ne- vada regiments as well as two from California. He taught the Indians through his entire district to fear his punish- ments before he had been there a year. He proved himself an able officer and won distinction as an Indian fighter. In September he went to Salt Lake and selected the location whereon was built Camp Douglas. The post was located three miles from the business portion of the town. The Mormons did not like the presence of Connor's force and used every means to get the troops away, but without avail. Colonel Connor refused to be drawn into a personal contro- versy with anyone representing the Mormon church or give them any just cause for complaint, and yet in his letters to the War Department he showed his utter contempt for Brigham Young. One of the methods used to secure the removal of the troops was to show the necessity of employ- ing a military force along the Overland mail route, east of Salt Lake. Mormon influence was brought to bear to in- duce the mail contractors, the Overland Stage Company, to demand protection from Indians. Connor claimed that the Mormons incited the Indians to commit depredations. Come from what source it may, the savages fulfilled expectations by running off a hundred head of horses during the month of November from Fort Bridger; at least it was so reported. These horses belonged to some trappers and hunters who went to winter at that post. The loss was reported to Colo- nel Connor and he at once dispatched Company I of his regi- ment, in command of Captain Lewis, to garrison the fort.
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The troops left Fort Douglas December 2nd. The Indians had a short time previous to this attacked the station at Pacific Springs, also a telegraph station at Big Sandy. Colonel Connor detailed ten men to guard the latter station, and they remained there during the winter. About the same time an emigrant named Van Orman reported that nearly a year before, while passing through the Green River country, the Bannock Indians had captured his three neices and a nephew. At the time, he had been obliged to go on to Oregon with the balance of his family and as soon as he could he had returned to look after the fate of the rest of his relatives. He had learned that the three girls were dead but the boy was in the hands of Bear Hunter, of the Ban- nock tribe. Colonel Connor at once dispatched Major Mc- Garry with a force to punish the Indians and recapture the boy. Bear Hunter and his band were found in the Cache Valley and Major McGarry ordered his troops to surround them and make a vigorous attack. The soldiers killed three Indians and wounded another, when Bear Hunter surren- dered. He was at once asked for the Van Orman boy. The chief replied that the white boy had been sent away some days before. The major told him to send some of his men out and bring him in and that he should hold the chief and four of his men as hostages until the boy was returned. Bear Hunter dispatched three of his men and the next day they returned with the lad.
Colonel Connor made up his mind to strike a decisive blow and end the war with the Shoshones, Bannocks and Snakes, but the agents and officers of the stage company demanded troops to escort the mail and did not interest themselves in a war against the Indians. Political influence was brought to bear to have Colonel Connor's entire force at Camp Douglas distributed at various points along the Overland from Salt Lake to Big Sandy. Finally the com- mander of the Pacific Department wrote Colonel Connor on the subject, which brought back a reply that throws a good deal of light on the situation. The letter is dated December 20th and reads:
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"Sir: Your communication of date December 12, 1862, inclosing telegram from General-in-Chief to Department Commander, is just received. In reply I have the honor to inform you that since my arrival here I have been aware that efforts were being made to dissever my command. The real governor of this Territory, Brigham Young, and his satellites on the one hand, and agents and contractors on the other, have since my arrival here constantly worked to separate this command-the former, with his usual sa- gacity, for the attainment of his own purposes and without the least doubt of his success (high authority states that he has openly boasted, in fact, that he would drive ine away from here before spring), and the latter from a desire to make money out of the government. Judge Carter, agent of the Overland Mail Company east of here, and sutler of Fort Bridger, with other interested persons within this dis- trict, have not so much the interest of the government or the Overland Mail Company at heart as a desire to speculate upon the necessities of this command by selling to it sup- plies, of which Judge Carter has large quantities on hand. As an evidence of this fact, that gentleman has been the only one of a great many among those interested largely in the Overland Mail Company who has desired the establish- ment of more posts on the line; and I am now satisfied that the rumor started by him previous to my garrisoning Fort Bridger, of 100 head of stock being stolen by Indians from the reservation, was false, and circulated for the purpose of having troops ordered to the post. I am reliably informed that the so-called President Young is making active prepara- tions indicating a determination on his part to oppose the government of the United States in the spring, provided Utah is not admitted into the Union as a State, or in case of a foreign war or serious reverse to our arms. It is con- stantly asserted by him and his agents that this command should be moved and scattered along the line of the Over- land Mail Company as a 'check against Indians,' who they say are ready to attack the property at any moment; and many willing converts to this fear are found among Brig- ham's hosts. But no one having the interest of the govern- ment or the company in view can be found here credulous enough to be blind to the real motives which actuate their desires. Brigham Young is now engaged in mounting can- non for the purpose of resisting the government, and has reports circulated, which have reached the ears of those highest in authority, in order to mature his plans, gain time
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and prepare his cannon. Desirable as this would be to him, I hope to defeat his intentions. From a careful scrutiny of the state of affairs here, and thorough knowledge of the country, I am satisfied I occupy every necessary position. The entire line from the Ruby Valley to Ham's Fork is com- pletely under my control, and while, in my opinion, there exists no necessity for troops at Fort Bridger, to quiet the apprehensions of the Overland Mail Company, if they have any (which I doubt), and to obey the orders of the general commanding, I shall continue to garrison Fort Bridger, and I will immediately send sufficient force to occupy Ham's Fork, although I am of the opinion there is no real necessity for it. My present position was selected for its availability, and commanding as it does not only all the avenues to but even the town itself, it is an important one, and I am not surprised that Brigham Young considers its occupancy dan- gerous to his interests. The presence of this command here, which the informants of the General-in-Chief desire so much to have removed, indicates that my information regarding the real intentions of these people is correct, and events will prove that in selecting my position and carrying out my own views, the interest of the government and of the Overland Mail Company has been anticipated. I am truly glad that the Department Commander has given me dis- cretionary powers in the premises. I am credibly informed and believe that Mormons had instigated the late attack by Indians on the telegraph station at Pacific Springs, in order to draw my forces to that point. Mormons also, in the northern part of this valley, encourage depredations by the Humboldt Indians by purchasing of them property of which massacred emigrants have been despoiled, by giving in ex- change therefor powder, lead and produce. I have hereto- fore refrained from submitting a report of these transac- tions to the general commanding for the reason that I de- sired to be previously well informed."
This letter was accepted by the War Department as the true situation of affairs at Salt Lake and along the Over- land mail route as far east as Pacific Springs. There is no doubt that persons, who desired to make money out of the troops, were anxious to have the different posts along the mail route garrisoned, but Colonel Connor had other views. This experienced Indian fighter knew that the only way to secure peace with the Indians was to bring them to battle -(25)
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and crush them in detail. With this end in view he set about organizing a campaign which would bring disaster to the Bannocks, Snakes and Shoshones.
Citizens of Denver had long been working to secure the regular Overland stage route for their town, and when Ben Holliday became proprietor of the line he agreed upon a route running through Denver and from that point west, and discontinue that part of the road running up the North Platte, the Sweetwater and across South Pass. The many difficulties experienced on the latter route was the inducement to abandon it. The new road led by way of Julesburg to Denver, from the latter place over the old wagon road to Fort Lupton, and north across the Laramie Plains, then due west, through Bridger Pass, joining the old trail. The change was made during the summer of 1862, and remarkable to relate, the transfer to the new line was so successfully accomplished that not a mail was missed or a coach delayed. The rolling stock, horses and other prop- erty of the company was gathered at the station just above Devil's Gate. Company A, of the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, with Major O'Farrell in command, was the escort at the time the transfer was made. The first day the long train of coaches, wagons, horses and mules made eleven miles from the station where the property had been gathered. The route chosen was directly south from the Sweetwater. The camp selected was in a gap in the mountains where there was a fine spring and plenty of wood for cooking purposes. Shortly after going into camp the Major discovered that quite a number of his soldiers were intoxicated and he at once sent for Lieutenant W. H. Brown, who was officer of the day, and informed him of the condition of many of the men and gave it as his opinion that someone was selling whisky in the camp. The command was doing escort duty for not only stage stock, consisting of coaches, wagons, horses and stores, but for a number of emigrants who had availed themselves of the opportunity for safe conduct. Lieutenant Brown received orders to search all these wag- ons and if he discovered whisky to destroy it. Taking a
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corporal and three or four men, they commenced the search for the contraband article. They had examined every wagon in the camp except one; when they came to this they discov. ered a barrel of whisky. The officer at once ordered his men to roll the barrel out, knock in the head and empty the contents on the ground. This was done, but it chanced that the spot where the whisky was emptied was just above the spring, and the fiery liquid went pouring down into the water supply for the camp. The soldiers saw what was going on and they rushed forward with cups, canteens, buckets and camp kettles to save what they could of the whisky. Those who were without the wherewith to hold the liquor stamped their boot-heels in the ground and caught the whisky in the hole, and lying down drank it. A half hour later the intoxicant was showing its effect pretty generally around the camp and soon there were few sober men to be found. One soldier who had succeeded in getting a full canteen from the spring grew richly mellow and while in this condition paid his respects to Major O'Farrell at the headquarters tent, assuring his command- ing officer, with maudling mein and many a "hic," that that was the finest spring he had ever seen and the best water he had ever tasted. Major O'Farrell was apprehending an attack from the Indians that night, and the condition of his men fairly disheartened him. He saw at a glance that even a small body of savages could make a successful raid on his camp, consequently the sober and less intoxicated men were kept on the alert that night. Fortunately no Indians put in an appearance and by morning the debauched men had slept off their intoxication and were ready for duty. The gap in the mountains in which the camp was made had never been named up to that date, but the soldiers in referring to it afterwards called it Whisky Gap, a name which it bears to the present time. After escorting the stage stock to the future line of operation, this command selected the location for Fort Halleck and constructed the buildings. The fort was located on the new Overland trail and was garrisoned for some years by troops from the Eleventh Ohio. The offi-
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cial order locating Fort Sanders in 1866 includes the aban- donment of Fort Halleck.
The equipment of the Overland road by Ben Holliday was equal to that of a modern railway. The coaches, ex- press wagons and the rolling stock generally were all manu- factured by the famous Concord Coach Manufacturing Com- pany of Concord, New Hampshire. This company not only manufactured the rolling stock but supplied the material used in the repair shops along the line. The harness was made by the Hill Harness Company of the same city. The material in everything was of the very best. The stations along the line averaged about ten miles apart, and every fifty miles was what was called a home station, where the drivers changed and made their homes. These were also eating stations for passengers. The intermediate stopping places were called "swing stations;" here only horses were changed, and at these were kept two men to take care of the stock. At every station was a large barn, with accommoda- tions for from thirty to fifty horses. The grain was supplied from Fort Kearney and Salt Lake. When there was a fail- ure of crops, which sometimes happened, horse feed was shipped from St. Louis. Every horse on the line was grain fed, groomed and cared for in the best manner. The main shops of the company were located at Atchison, Denver and Salt Lake, and there were repair shops on each divis- ion of 200 miles. Besides the repair shops, on each of these divisions was a traveling blacksmith shop. This consisted of a wagon fitted up with bellows, anvil and tools, drawn by a team of strong horses. The movable shop was kept going constantly from one end of the division to the other. There was also a harness maker and mender, who traveled over each division with his tools and material for repairing harness. The supplies for the road-that is, the provisions used at the stations-were purchased in large quantities at St. Louis and sent out and distributed among the division points, and from these they were sent to the smaller sta- tions as required. At first the men made trips east when they needed clothing, but later Mr. Holliday conceived the
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idea of having clothing of all kinds, including boots and shoes, manufactured in large quantities for the use of his men. The suits were of the most substantial material and made in the most thorough manner. The overcoats were of Irish frieze, cut long, with capes reaching to the hands. The linings in these coats were of blue Shaker flannel. The driv- ers, enveloped in them, were well protected from cold, wind or rain. The boots were high-topped, made especially to keep the feet and legs warm. The underclothing was of a kind suited to the needs of men who were constantly ex- posed to winds and storms. This clothing was distributed by special express sent out for the purpose, and the amount each man received was charged up to his account, the price being the cost and transportation. No profit was demanded. The company owned large transportation trains of ox and mule teams and these transported all supplies to stations, and on their return hauled fuel to places along the line where it was needed. The first division on the main line was from Atchison to Fort Kearney, the second from Fort Kear- ney to Julesburg, the third from Julesburg to Denver, the fourth from Denver to North Platte (Fort Steele) going by way of Virginia Dale, the fifth from North Platte to Green River, and the sixth from Green River to Salt Lake. On each division was an agent, a bookkeeper and a steward of supplies. These were the divisions on the new line after the Sweetwater and South Pass route was abandoned. Leaving Denver, the stations were, Big Thompson, La Porte. Virginia Dale, Big Laramie, Cooper's Creek, Medicine Bow, Elk Mountain, North Platte, Sulphur Springs (forty miles south of Rawlins), Laclede (head of Bitter Creek), Rock Springs, Green River, Granger, Fort Bridger, Bear River (Evanston), Echo Canon and Salt Lake.
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