The late expedition and its results had demonstrated that notwithstanding the desertion of the Cayuses by the Nez Percés, Walla Wallas, and Yakimas, they still had a powerful ally in the Palouse tribe, which occupied a sort of neutral country between the Nez Percés, Spokanes, and Cayuses, and were largely augmented in numbers by outlaws from the surrounding tribes, which circumstance lowered their rank among the savages. But in their present rather friendless condition the Cayuses were glad to avail themselves of these or any other auxiliaries.
On the 18th Gilliam held a council with his officers, when it was determined that one hundred and fifty men should proceed to the Dalles to escort a supply-train to Waiilatpu, where provisions and ammunition, as well as men were wanting; and that the colonel would accompany them in order to more readily confer with the governor on the situation of affairs, leaving the command of the fort to Lieutenant-colonel Waters. Accordingly the companies of captains Maxon and McKay, with other officers and men, set out on the 20th for the Dalles with wagons for the transportation of supplies. They had reached the springs beyond the Umatilla and were encamped for the night, when as Colonel Gilliam was drawing a rope from a wagon to tether his horse, it caught on the trigger of a gun and discharged the contents into his body, killing him instantly. Thus died an honest,patriotic, and popular man, whose chief fault as an officer was too much zeal and impetuosity in the performance of his duties; whose glory would have been to die in battle, but who perished by accident in the discharge of homely labors.[1]
The death of Gilliam left the command temporarily in the hands of Captain Maxon. From his report to General Lovejoy, which he despatched by C. W.
- ↑ Gilliam left a wife and 8 children. His body was taken to die Willamette for interment by Captain McKay, whose impaired health obliged him to retire from his command. Or. Spectator, April 6, 1848; S. F. Californian, May 3, 1848.
