idea of having clothing of all kinds, including boots and shoes, manufactured in large quantities for the use of his men. The suits were of the most substantial material and made in the most thorough manner. The overcoats were of Irish frieze, cut long, with capes reaching to the hands. The linings in these coats were of blue Shaker flannel. The driv ers, enveloped in them, were well protected from cold, wind or rain. The boots were high-topped, made especially to keep the feet and legs warm. The underclothing was of a kind suited to the needs of men who were constantly exposed to winds and storms. This clothing was distributed by special express sent out for the purpose, and the amount each man received was charged up to his account, the price being the cost and transportation. No profit was demanded. The company owned large transportation trains of ox and mule teams and these transported all supplies to stations, and on their return hauled fuel to places along the line where it was needed. The first division on the main line was from Atchison to Fort Kearney, the second from Fort Kearney to Julesburg, the third from Julesburg to Denver, the fourth from Denver to North Platte (Fort Steele) going by way of Virginia Dale, the fifth from North Platte to Green River, and the sixth from Green River to Salt Lake. On each division was an agent, a bookkeeper and a steward of supplies. These were the divisions on the new line after the Sweetwater and South Pass route was abandoned. Leaving Denver, the stations were, Big Thompson, La Porte, Virginia Dale, Big Laramie, Cooper's Creek, Medicine Bow, Elk Mountain, North Platte, Sulphur Springs (forty miles south of Rawlins), Laclede (head of Bitter Creek), Rock Springs, Green River, Granger, Fort Bridger, Bear River (Evanston), Echo Canon and Salt Lake.

The officers of the company were, Ben Holliday, president and proprietor; Bela M. Hughes, who had been attor ney for the C. O. C. and P. P. Company before Holliday's time, was retained as the attorney for the new company; David Street was made paymaster and general agent, and

his assistants were Thomas A. Beach and A. T. Beach. The following persons at different times held the position of superintendent of the line: Isaac Eaton, Major John Kerr, William Reynolds, David Remick, Alexander Benham, James Stewart, Reuben S. Thomas and Robert I. Spotswood.

CHAPTER XXXI.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS ON THE OVERLAND.

COLONEL CONNOR'S WINTER CAMPAIGN-BATTLE OF BEAR RIVER-224 INDIANS KILLED-COLONEL CONNOR MADE A BRIGADIER GENERAL-SOUTHERN UTES GO ON THE WAR PATH-ADDITIONAL TROops Asked FOR-GENERAL ConnoR MAKES A STATEMENT TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE MORMONS-MAJOR WYNKOOP ORDERED TO THE OVERLAND TRAIL-HOSTILES ATTACK SWEETWATER STATION— UTES ATTACK STAGE STATION ON LARAMIE PLAINS-THE BANNOCKS AND SNAKES WANT PEACE-WYOMING ATTACHED TO THE MILITARY DISTRICT OF COLORADO-UTES SUE FOR PEACE IN UTAH-THE CAREER OF THE NOTORIOUS JOSEPH A. SLADE IN WYOMING HIS EXECUTION BY VIGILANTES IN MONTANA.

During the winter of 1862-3, there were numerous depredations committed along the Overland between Fort Laramie and Salt Lake City. Several miners were killed, as well as some belated emigrants. Colonel Connor learned that there was a large encampment of Indians on Bear River. These were of the Bannock, Snake and Shoshone tribes and were under chiefs Bear Hunter, Sagwich and Leight. They were well armed and had plenty of ammunition which they had secured from the Mormons in exchange for the property of emigrants whom they had killed on the trail during the fall. A large number of the young men of Chief Washakie's band of Shoshones had been operating with these marauders since March of the preceding year and they had become as reckless and bloodthirsty as the others. Washakie had spent much time in earnest entreaty with these young warriors in order to induce them to withdraw

from the hostile camp. The young men for a long time refused compliance with his wishes on the ground that emigrants would be robbed anyhow and they might as well have a share of the booty. Finally the chief succeeded in inducing a greater part of them to withdraw. This left in the camp of Bear Hunter 300 warriors, and being well armed they became insolent in the extreme. Their Chief was a warrior of recognized ability, and the success of these allied bands the year before tended to increase his power and influence. Colonel Connor carefully investigated the camp on Bear River and possessed himself of a knowledge of its capabilities for defense. When all that was necessary was ascertained in regard to the Indian camp, Colonel Connor resolved to make a winter campaign against these savages, and having noticed that heretofore the Indians in some man. ner gained a knowledge in advance of intended military operations, he on this occasion observed the greatest secrecy and to more successfully cover his movements, he resolved to deceive certain Mormons, who he suspicioned were in league with the Indians. He therefore on the 22nd of January ordered Company K, Third Infantry, California Volun teers, Captain Hoyt in command, two howitzers under command of Lieutenant Honeyman, and twelve men of the Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, with a train of fifteen wagons carrying supplies for twenty days, to proceed in the direction of the hostile camp on Bear River. When the suspected Mormons saw the departure of the little force they knew that it was intended to operate against Bear Hunter's band, and there was many a knowing look as well as an air of satisfaction, for they were confident that so small a force would avail little in an attack on a position as strong as that occupied by the hostiles. As expected, a messenger was dispatched to Bear Hunter, informing him of the expe. dition, giving full details as to the number of men composing it. It was afterwards learned that Bear Hunter sent back word to his friends by the messenger that he would be glad of having the opportunity of welcoming Colonel Connor's soldiers, and as the weather was very cold he

would see to it that it was made warm for them. On the night of the 24th, two days after the departure of Captain Hoyt and his men, Colonel Connor made the second move in carrying out his plan. He left the fort under cover of darkness with detachments from Companies A, H, K and M, Second Cavalry California Volunteers, numbering 220 men, accompanied by Major McGarry, Second Cavalry California Volunteers; Surgeon Reid, Third Infantry California Volunteers; Captains McLean and Price and Lieutenants Chase, Clark, Quinn and Conrad, Second Cavalry California Volun teers; Major Gallagher, Third Infantry California Volunteers, and Captain Berry, Second Cavalry California Volunteers, who were present at the post attending general court martial, as volunteers. The weather was very cold, but not a man or officer murmured. By daylight, sixty-eight miles had been accomplished and the next night the Infantry with the supply train was overtaken, and Colonel Connor, finding them in camp, ordered them to march forward that night. On the morning of the 29th, the command reached the vicinity of the Indian camp just as day was breaking, and fearing that the hostiles would discover the strength of his force, Colonel Connor pushed his cavalry forward to the banks of Bear River, leaving the infantry to follow with as much speed as possible. The snow was deep, but the soldiers made a rapid march, following the cavalry force. Shortly after daylight Colonel Connor ordered the cavalry forward under Major McGarry, with instructions to sur round the Indians. After the departure of Major McGarry's command, Colonel Connor remained behind a few minutes to give orders to the infantry and artillery, after which he galloped forward and joined the advance column.

On arriving on the field, Colonel Connor found that Major McGarry had dismounted the cavalry and attacked the Indians, as he found that the nature of the ground would not permit him to surround them. As the soldiers came up, the savages rushed from their hiding places on foot and on horseback and with fiendish malignity waved the scalps of white women and children, and challenged the troops to

battle, and at the same time vigorously attacked the whites. The cavalry accepted the challenge and poured in a deadly fire which caused the Indians to take shelter behind some strong natural defenses, consisting of a dry ravine about forty feet wide and from six to twelve feet deep. The sides of this ravine were fitted up with steps, so as to enable the warriors to mount to a sufficient height to discharge their rifles without exposing themselves to the fire of the sol diers. Some parts of this ravine were fitted up with covers made from willows, thickly woven together, and behind these artificial defenses they fired upon the soldiers with telling effect. Colonel Connor, finding that he could not dislodge the hostiles without great sacrifice of life, ordered Major McGarry to turn their left flank. This was farther up the ravine, next to the mountain. Up to this time the infantry had not yet been engaged. Captain Hoyt had reached the ford with his men, three-quarters of a mile away, but found the water too deep. Colonel Connor, ascertaining the situation, ordered the men holding the cavalry horses to mount and lead the horses they had in charge across the ford and transport the infantry men to the opposite side. The troops were soon across and hurried to the battlefield. Up to this time the soldiers had suffered greatly. Colonel Connor found his men falling on every side of him, but the difficulties of the situation nerved him to greater effort. He now ordered the flanking party to advance down the ravine, and as the Indians were driven out the infantrymen in front shot them down. Some of the Indians tried to es cape by swimming Bear River, and seeing this, Colonel Connor ordered a detachment of cavalry across the river to head them off. By far the largest number remained in the ra vine and fought to the last. Colonel Connor's men, being thoroughly aroused, advanced into the mouth of the ravine, when the contest became a hand-to-hand fight. In their mad efforts to escape, many of the now demoralized warriors sprang over the ravine and plunged into the river, but they were shot down by the unerring marksmen. The fight commenced at six in the morning and lasted four hours. The