On the way they encountered three Indians, who inquired if Boyle was the commanding officer, and who invited them to go on to where the flag-bearer awaited them. Something in their manner convincing the officers of treachery, they declined, saying that if the Indians desired to talk they must come within the lines, and turned back to camp. The Indians then commenced firing, Sherwood and Boyle running and dodging among the rocks, being without arms. Sherwood soon fell, mortally wounded, but Boyle escaped, being covered by the guns of the pickets.
The officer at the signal-station overlooking Mason's camp immediately telegraphed General Gillem what had occurred, and preparations were at once made to send T. T. Cabaniss to warn General Canby, but be fore the message was ready the signal-officer reported firing on the council-ground.
At this word the troops turned out, Sergeant Wooton of company K, 1st cavalry, leading a detachment without orders. The wildest confusion prevailed, yet in the sole intent, if possible, to save the life of the general whom they all loved and venerated, there was unity of purpose. Before the troops reached the council-ground they were met by Dyar, with the story of the fatal catastrophe, and on arriving at the spot, Meacham was discovered to be alive! Jack had retreated to his stronghold, the troops following for half a mile, but finally retreating to camp for the night.[1]
As might have been expected, a profound excitement followed upon the news of the disastrous winding-up of the peace commission. At Yreka Delano was hanged in effigy. At Portland the funeral honors
- ↑ Cabaniss, who was personally strongly attached to Canby, wrote an interesting and highly colored account of the incidents just prior to and succeeding the massacre, for the Eureka, Cal., West Coast Signal, April 19, 1873. Various accounts appeared in the newspapers of that date, and in Fitzgerald's Cal. Sketches, 140; Simpson's Meeting the Sun, 356–83; and Meacham's Wigwam and Warpath, written to justify his own want of judgment and conceal his want of honesty.
