Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/486

468 and commanded by Captain Stephen Coffin, and a recruit of regulars, with a supply of ammunition.

The ammunition and howitzer, being placed on a batteau, was taken up opposite the blockhouse, the design of Sheridan being to cover his men while they landed, and to give the garrison a pleasant surprise. The sand island, before referred to with the Indian village, lay directly in front of the blockhouse. These Indians were professedly friendly, and were in charge of agent G. B. Simpson. They had communicated to the agent early on the morning of the twenty-sixth that there had been Yakimas in their camp during the night, with the understood design of inducing their people to join in a war upon the white inhabitants, but had repudiated any such intention. There were circumstances, however, which led the agent to doubt their sincerity, and Sheridan was made aware of them. His barge lay in the slough between the island and the main shore, which was lined with Yakimas. His position was therefore critical, and his attempt full of gallantry. He had the opportunity to achieve a reputation; not only that, but, unknown to himself, he was so holding the attention of the Indians in his front and rear, that the approach of Steptoe's command was unseen, and they might have been taken by surprise with troops all around them.

Alas for lost opportunities! Just at the critical moment which should have recorded a victory for the regulars, a bugle blast was sounded, Steptoe's column was seen descending a hill close by in all the bravery of advancing to action, and presto! in two minutes not an Indian was in sight. The army in Flanders never swore more terribly about anything than the volunteers about that bugle call! But for that, the Yakimas might have been punished; but for that, Sheridan, with whom they sympathized, might have scored a victory.

This fight, which was no fight, has often been called Sheridan's first battle. That is not strictly true, as few things in current history are. He had been in action in