Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/506

CHAPTER XX.

MILITARY ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS.

1861–1865.

Appropriation Asked for—General Wright—Six Companies Raised—Attitude toward Secessionists—First Oregon Cavalry—Expeditions of Maury, Drake, and Curry—Fort Boisé Established—Reconnoissance of Drew—Treaty with the Klamaths and Modocs—Action of the Legislature—First Infantry Oregon Volunteers.

 

Sometime during the autumn or winter of 1860 the military department of Oregon was merged in that of the Pacific, Brigadier-general E. V. Sumner commanding; Colonel Wright retaining his position of commander of the district of Oregon and Washington. The regular force in the country being much reduced by the drafts made upon it to increase the army in the east,^[1] Wright apologized for the abandonment of the country by troops at a time when Indian wars and disunion intrigue made them seem indispensable, but declared that every minor consideration must give way to the preservation of the union.^[2]

Fearing lest the emigrant route might be left unprotected, a call was made by the people of Walla

1. There were only about 700 men and 19 commissioned officers left in the whole of Oregon and Washington in 1861. The garrisons left were 111 men under Captain H. M. Black at Vancouver; 116 men under Maj. Lugenbeel at Colville; 127 men under Maj. Steen at Walla Walla; 41 men under Capt. Van Voast at Cascades; 43 men under Capt. F. T. Dent at Hoskins; 110 men at the two posts of Steilacoom and Camp Picket; and 54 men under Lieut-colonel Buchanan at The Dalles. U. S. Sen. Doc., 1, vol. ii. 32, 37th cong. 2d sess. Even the revenue cutter Jo Lane belonging to Astoria was ordered to New York. Or. Argus, June 29, 1861.
2. See letter in Or. Statesman, July 1, 1861.

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