Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 8.djvu/55

 A SOLDIER OF THE OREGON FRONTIER. 47 Mexican War. Colonel Steptoe might have been very suc- cessful in fighting Mexicans, but for fighting Indians, in Trimble's opinion, he lacked one essential qualification. That was * * craft. ' ' Into that word the Major 's tone threw a world of meaning. When I asked him what he meant by "craft," he replied: '"'Craft' means to know Indians and frontiers- men. You must know how to fight the way the Indians do. You must know signs. You must watch the weather. You must be on your guard all the time. In fact, 'craft' be- comes a sort of instinct or second nature." The Major said that on the expedition Colonel Steptoe was in civilian attire and rode along carelessly and confidently, carrying in his hand a small riding whip. Caution and prudence seem not to have been characteristic of Colonel Steptoe. In contrast with his negligence are the forethought and carefulness of the man who retrieved his disaster. Among all the men who led other men in the struggle between civili- zation and savagery on the frontier of old Oregon, none was more efficient, none more respected and beloved by those un- der him than Colonel (later General) George Wright. "He was a genuine soldier and a soldier's friend," Major Trimble enthusiastically declared. As evidence of Wright's careful- ness the Major relates that on the expedition the soldiers were required to get up an hour before daylight and stand under arms, to guard against surprise. In order to lessen the area of the camp cavalrymen were ordered to tether their horses at half length. Although he was thus earnest and severe in discipline, Colonel Wright was kind to his men and thought- ful for their welfare. Kindliness and benevolence showed in his open, manly face. One trait in him was, however, pre- eminenthis love of justice. As the Major talked quietly of the man who had defeated the Indians and slaughtered their horses and hanged their rascals, and who yet had retained their admiration and respect, he gave the key to his achieve- ment in one brief phrase : "He was very just." Officers of the frontier army had to manage not only In- dians, but often also bad white men. "It was the bad men on