derers were at large. These arrived at camp on the
twenty-ninth of May, and at Fort Waters on the third of
June.
The missionaries, Walker and Eells, still remained at Fort Colville whither they had gone when fighting began in the Cayuse country, and it was the general verdict of the army that they ought to be conducted out of it before the troops disbanded; but it was not thought quite safe to further weaken the garrison by sending two companies to Colville. Major Magone offered to go with fifty men should that number come forward for this service, or with any number down to ten men. On the call for volunteers, over one hundred offered, but only fifty-five were accepted. With this force the Messrs. Walker and Eells, with their wives and children, and a Miss Bewley, sister of the cap tive of that name, were taken safely to The Dalles, to which post the army was already on the march, 19 having left Waiilatpu on the eighth of June. On reaching that place Colonel Waters found a letter from the governor, dated the fifteenth of June, in which he was directed to hold a council with the superintendent of Indian affairs, and come to a decision in regard to remaining in the upper country, and recommending that one company of eighty-five men, rank and file, should be left to garrison Forts Waters and Lee until the arrival of the expected United States regiment of mounted riflemen seventy at Waiilatpu, and fifteen at The Dalles.
But this matter had already been arranged, and, as usual, by the sagacity of the lieutenent-colonel. On the return to Fort Waters a council of the officers had been held, to decide upon the question of holding the fort through the summer, or until the United States troops had arrived, or
in That Major Magone was pleased to perform this gallant duty is evident from his report. He relates that several of the Spokanes shed tears on parting from their teachers.
Joseph Magone was born in Ogdensburg, New York, February ilO, 1821 ; was a miller by occupation. He came to Oregon as captain of a company in 1847. After the Cayuse war, he went to the California mines and was fortunate ; was married in 1850, his wife dying in 1859. He has written au account of his life for p
