need got first choice. I have kept a correct account of everything
that has come into my hands in any way, but at the same time it is
impossible for me to send you a correct report, for if all the horses
claimed by friendly (bless the mark!) Indians are given up, there
will be few, if any, left. I have at present two thousand three hun
dred dollars on my books, besides between seventy-five and one
hundred names of persons who received horses as gifts from Colonel
Gilliam, and with which I had nothing whatever to do, as they
Iwere given at different times and places without reference to day, date, or anything of the kind. On the twentieth of March I was chosen to fill the place of Major Lee until the return of that officer, and Mr. Knox was appointed in my place by Colonel Gilliam.
I remain, dear sir, with respect, your obedient humble servant,
J. MAGONK.
Lieutenant-Colonel Waters wrote April fourth :
Adjutant Wilcox, and the sergeant-major, having left with Col onel Gilliam, I found it necessary to appoint suitable persons to fill the vacancy of the same for the time being. I also pursued the same course in relation to the judge-advocate. * * There is a deficiency in the number of horses. The cause of this is, that some have been killed in action, as was my own ; some have been taken by the Indians; and others have failed, and we have left them. The exact number we cannot ascertain, as there was a deficiency previous to Colonel Gilliam s departure. I would mention some thing further relative to our situation, but as you will have all the particulars in my letter to the governor, and from others, I will drop the subject for the present : Oregon Archives, MS. 854.
On the fourth of May, S. B. Knox, who had been ap pointed paymaster when Magone left for The Dalles, wrote to the adjutant-general:
The sale of horses at this place to different individuals, after being appraised, and taken at the appraisement, has amounted to one thousand and twenty-four dollars ; but several of those horses have since been claimed and given up to the friendly Indians by order of Colonel Waters, and others claimed that are not given up, and will not be given up unless ordered so by Colonel Lee upon his taking command. * * It is my opinion that there will be but few more horses given up to the so-called friendly Indians : Ore gon Archives, MS. 1004.
As to Gilliam the man, the community of his fellows understanding him, and generously refusing to impute
