Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 8.djvu/52

 in recruiting service, he was ordered back to Old Oregon, the land which he loved.

Here soon arose the unfortunate Modoc War. By this time Trimble was a veteran in all sorts of fighting, being especially adept in Indian craft. His account of the capture of the Indian leader, Captain Jack, seems of special interest. He narrates that, while operating under ranking Captain Perry, he separated with his command from the latter and took an independent course. He had with him two Warm Springs Indians, who were expert trailers. After a few hours these struck the trail of three or four Indians. This trail was followed rapidly. After some time a queer Indian dwarf appeared on a rock ahead, making signs of friendship. This was Job, who was closely attached to Jack. After some parleying, Jack himself appeared and surrendered. The writer is acquainted with a certain scout who also claims to have captured Jack. But his account cannot be said to be unimpeachable, while that of Trimble is circumstantial and is confirmed in general by Bancroft. After the Modoc War, Trimble held commands at Camps Warner and Harney in Southeastern Oregon. The comparative quiet of these years was roughly ended by the Nez Perces outbreak. Hard service then. A forced march to Mt. Idaho, a bloody repulse in White-bird Canon, a perilous, but successful, dash for the rescue of the besieged miners up the Salmon were followed by the chase after Joseph across the Salmon, the swift doubling back to counter Joseph's strategy and the battle of the Clearwater. Speaking of the Nez Perces charge at the latter point, the Major says, "No more daring feat of prowess was performed by skirmishers at any period of the Civil War." In the pursuit of Joseph eastward Major Trimble did not take part, being ordered to Spokane with his troop to furnish the cavalry contingent for General Wheaton. This was his last campaign. A few years later he was retired. It is in suggestive sidelights, such as the above comment on the Nez Perces charge or in familiar description of some noteworthy person, more, perhaps, than in connected narrative,