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effort a great stride toward the civilization of these crude and
superstitious people； for they now began to recognize the power of
the Government。 In their management afterward a course of justice
and mild force was adopted； and unvaryingly applied。 They were
compelled to cultivate their land； to attend church； and to send
their children to school。 When I saw them； fifteen years later；
transformed into industrious and substantial farmers； with neat
houses； fine cattle； wagons and horses； carrying their grain； eggs；
and butter to market and bringing home flour； coffee； sugar； and
calico in return； I found abundant confirmation of my early opinion
that the most effectual measures for lifting them from a state of
barbarism would be a practical supervision at the outset； coupled
with a firm control and mild discipline。
In all that was done for these Indians Captain Russell's judgment and
sound； practical ideas were the inspiration。 His true manliness；
honest and just methods； together with the warm…hearted interest he
took in all that pertained to matters of duty to his Government；
could not have produced other than the best results； in what position
soever he might have been placed。 As all the lovable traits of his
character were constantly manifested； I became most deeply attached
to him； and until the day of his death in 1864； on the battle…field
of Opequan； in front of Winchester； while gallantly leading his
division under my command； my esteem and affection were sustained and
intensified by the same strong bonds that drew me to him in these
early days in Oregon。
After the events just narrated I continued on duty at the post of
Yamhill； experiencing the usual routine of garrison life without any
incidents of much interest； down to the breaking out of the war of
the rebellion in April； 1861。 The news of the firing on Fort Sumter
brought us an excitement which overshadowed all else； and though we
had no officers at the post who sympathized with the rebellion； there
were several in our regimentthe Fourth Infantrywho did； and we
were considerably exercised as to the course they might pursue； but
naturally far more so concerning the disposition that would be made
of the regiment during the conflict。
In due time orders came for the regiment to go East； and my company
went off； leaving me； howevera second lieutenantin command of the
post until I should be relieved by Captain James J。 Archer； of the
Ninth Infantry； whose company was to take the place of the old
garrison。 Captain Archer； with his company of the Ninth； arrived
shortly after； but I had been notified that he intended to go South；
and his conduct was such after reaching the post that I would not
turn over the command to him for fear he might commit some rebellious
act。 Thus a more prolonged detention occurred than I had at first
anticipated。 Finally the news came that he had tendered his
resignation and been granted a leave of absence for sixty days。 On
July 17 he took his departure； but I continued in command till
September 1； when Captain Philip A。 Owen； of the Ninth Infantry；
arrived and； taking charge； gave me my release。
》From the day we received the news of the firing on Sumter until I
started East； about the first of September； 1861； I was deeply
solicitous as to the course of events； and though I felt confident
that in the end the just cause of the Government must triumph； yet
the thoroughly crystallized organization which the Southern
Confederacy quickly exhibited disquieted me very much； for it alone
was evidence that the Southern leaders had long anticipated the
struggle and prepared for it。 It was very difficult to obtain direct
intelligence of the progress of the war。 Most of the time we were in
the depths of ignorance as to the true condition of affairs； and this
tended to increase our anxiety。 Then； too； the accounts of the
conflicts that had taken place were greatly exaggerated by the
Eastern papers； and lost nothing in transition。 The news came by the
pony express across the Plains to San Francisco； where it was still
further magnified in republishing； and gained somewhat in Southern
bias。 I remember well that when the first reports reached us of； the
battle of Bull Runthat sanguinary engagementit was stated that
each side had lost forty thousand men in killed and wounded； and none
were reported missing nor as having run away。 Week by week these
losses grew less； until they finally shrunk into the hundreds； but
the vivid descriptions of the gory conflict were not toned down
during the whole summer。
We received our mail at Yamhill only once a week； and then had to
bring it from Portland； Oregon； by express。 On the day of the week
that our courier； or messenger； was expected back from Portland； I
would go out early in the morning to a commanding point above the
post； from which I could see a long distance down the road as it ran
through the valley of the Yamhill； and there I would watch with
anxiety for his coming； longing for good news； for； isolated as I had
been through years spent in the wilderness； my patriotism was
untainted by politics； nor had it been disturbed by any discussion of
the questions out of which the war grew； and I hoped for the success
of the Government above all other considerations。 I believe I was
also uninfluenced by any thoughts of the promotion that might result
to me from the conflict； but； out of a sincere desire to contribute
as much as I could to the preservation of the Union； I earnestly
wished to be at the seat of war； and feared it might end before I
could get East。 In no sense did I anticipate what was to happen to
me afterward； nor that I was to gain any distinction from it。 I was
ready to do my duty to the best of my ability wherever I might be
called； and I was young； healthy； insensible to fatigue； and desired
opportunity； but high rank was so distant in our service that not a
dream of its attainment had flitted through my brain。
During the period running from January to September； 1861； in
consequence of resignations and the addition of some new regiments to
the regular army； I had passed through the grade of first lieutenant
and reached that of captain in the Thirteenth United States Infantry；
of which General W。 T。 Sherman had recently been made the colonel。
When relieved from further duty at Yamhill by Captain Owen； I left
for the Atlantic coast to join my new regiment。 A two days' ride
brought me down to Portland； whence I sailed to San Franciso； and at
that city took passage by steamer for New York via the Isthmus of
Panama； in company with a number of officers who were coming East
under circumstances like my own。
At this time California was much agitatedon the question of
secession； and the secession element was so strong that considerable
apprehension was felt by the Union people lest the State might be
carried into the Confederacy。 As a consequence g