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took place on this occasion； and much disappointment and discontent
followed； Nesmith's mounted force and my dragoons being particularly
disgusted because they had not been 〃given a chance。〃 During the
remainder of the day we cautiously followed the retreating foe； and
late in the evening went into camp a short distance from Father
Pandoza's Mission； where we were to await a small column of troops
under command of Captain Maurice Maloney； of the Fourth Infantry；
that was to join us from Steilicom by way of the Natchez Pass； and
from which no tidings had as yet been received。
Next morning the first thing I saw when I put my head out from my
blankets was 〃Cut…mouth John；〃 already mounted and parading himself
through the camp。 The scalp of the Indian he had despatched the day
before was tied to the cross…bar of his bridle bit； the hair dangling
almost to the ground； and John was decked out in the sacred vestments
of Father Pandoza； having； long before any one was stiring in camp；
ransacked the log…cabin at the Mission in which the good man had
lived。 John was at all times a most repulsive looking individual； a
part of his mouth having been shot away in a fight with Indians near
Walla Walla some years before； in which a Methodist missionary had
been killed； but his revolting personal appearance was now worse than
ever； and the sacrilegious use of Father Pandoza's vestments； coupled
with the ghastly scalp that hung from his bridle； so turned opinion
against him that he was soon captured； dismounted； and his parade
brought to an abrupt close； and I doubt whether he ever after quite
reinstated himself in the good graces of the command。
In the course of the day nearly all the men visited the Mission； but
as it had been plundered by the Indians at the outbreak of
hostilities； when Father Pandoza was carried off； little of value was
left about it except a considerable herd of pigs； which the father
with great difficulty had succeeded in accumulating from a very small
beginning。 The pigs had not been disturbed by the Indians； but the
straggling troops soon disposed of them； and then turned their
attention to the cabbages and potatoes in the garden； with the
intention； no doubt； of dining that day on fresh pork and fresh
vegetables instead of on salt junk and hard bread； which formed their
regular diet on the march。 In digging up the potatoes some one
discovered half a keg of powder； which had been buried in the garden
by the good father to prevent the hostile Indians from getting it to
use against the whites。 As soon as this was unearthed wild
excitement ensued； and a cry arose that Father Pandoza was the person
who furnished powder to the Indians； that here was the proof； that at
last the mysterious means by which the Indians obtained ammunition
was explainedand a rush was made for the mission building。 This was
a comfortable log…house of good size； built by the Indians for a
school and church； and attached to one end was the log…cabin
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