THE FIRST OREGON CAVALRY.
"Lest we forget, lest we forget."
From the period of its earliest settlement to 1849 Oregon had no military history, if we except the several months spent in the Cayuse country by a few hundred volunteers after the massacre of 1847. The punishment received by the Cayuses left them so reduced in numbers that, even had they wished to make war, they were unable without the support of the neighboring tribes, particularly of their relatives, the Nez Perces. But a vengeful spirit was cherished toward their conquerors, which they imparted to the Shoshones in the Snake-river country, which was laying the foundation of future wars.
When Governor Lane arrived in the newly established territory in the spring of 1849 he brought with him the remnant of his escort, consisting of a lieutenant, G. W. Hawkins, and five men, the main detachment having deserted en route. Early in May, however, the United States steamer Massachusetts, commanded by Captain Wood, arrived in the Columbia with two artillery companies, under Brev. Maj. J. S. Hathaway, who encamped with one company at Vancouver, leaving the other with Capt. B. H. Hill at Astoria, comfortably quartered in the building erected in 1846 by the crew of the wrecked United States vessel Shark. The whole force numbered but one hundred and sixty-one men and officers; but the Indians on Puget Sound being threatening, it was determined between Governor Lane and Major Hathaway to establish a post near Nisqually, and accordingly the artillerymen under Captain Hill were removed in July to the Sound, and a post erected at Steilacoom.
