Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/140

130 was calling in the army from the outlying posts. In 1861 less than seven hundred regulars, with nineteen commissioned officers, were left in Oregon and Washington to garrison eight forts and temporary posts, located at Colville, Walla Walla, The Dalles, Cascades, Vancouver, Yamhill, Steilacoom, and San Juan Island. Col. George Wright was placed in command of the district of Oregon and Washington, and instructed to do the best he could with this "corporal's guard.' To the governors and people he apologized for the country's abandonment at so critical a time, when Indian difficulties surrounded them, and disunion plots were scarcely concealed in their midst.

Hitherto the prejudice of the regular army against volunteer organizations had operated to prevent the defense of mineral districts and the routes of immigration, although when news came of some fresh outrage, the settlements nearest to the scene usually hurried out a company, without waiting to get the news to Vancouver. Of all the commanders, except Harney, who had been at the head of military affairs in Oregon, Colonel Wright was the most popular. He foresaw that he was likely at any time to be ordered East, and that the country was liable to be the scene of internal discord as well as border warfare, and set about arranging for its protection.

In the summer of 1861 Wright made a requisition upon Governor Whiteaker for a cavalry company, to be enlisted for three years, unless sooner discharged, and to serve in the United States army, under its rules and regulations, the only exception being that the men should furnish their own horses, for the use or loss of which they would be compensated. Suspicion attaching to the governor of disunion sentiments, a doubt also extended to the enrolling officer, the attempt failed, and the enlisted men were discharged, on which Wright departed so far from