Grand Teton National Park (Wyo.); Jackson Hole (Wyo.)
We put in time at Fort Hall preparing to get together materials for
another boat, intending to renew the expedition from “Mad River
Canyon.” Meantime I had made one of my Centenial Tents for Captain
Bainbridge. While so engaged on the 8th of January, the following
telegram came.
Dated Chicago, Ill. January 6, 1877
Received at Fort Hall, Idaho, January 8, 1877
To Commanding Officer, Fort Hall, Idaho
You will direct Lieut. Doane, Second Cavalry, with his escort to
rejoin his proper station Fort Ellis, as soon as practicable.
Acknowledge receipt.
R. C. Drum
A. A. G.
That Doane was very bitter at this turn of events is indicated by
subsequent entries in his journal.
This was the result. I simply note here an extract from Sergeant
Server’s journal. The only one left us when the boat capsized. “Lt.
Doane was very mad in consequence of our having to return, and so were
all the men, but we tried to make the best of it.”
Over a year afterward I received the key to this mystery. And here it
is. It will be observed that there is some little truth in it, and
much that is false. And bear in mind that my letter and telegram from
Keenan City were received on the 28th December, and that I had not yet
been heard from at Eagle Rock or Fort Hall.
Fort Ellis, January 2, 1877
Telegram
To Assistant Adjutant General
Saint Paul, Minn.
I hear Doane lost all his horses, seven and mules, three, his boat and
camp equipage, even to blankets; lived three weeks on horse meat
straight; the last three days, before reaching the settlement, his
party being without food of any kind. I recommend that he be ordered
to his post for duty with his company.
(Signed) Brisbin
Commanding Post
Accordingly Doane and 4 men were returned to Fort Ellis by stage,
arriving on January 20. Sergeant Server and White, leaving Fort Hall on
January 12, “with the expedition’s baggage and the extra horse” arrived
at Fort Ellis on February 2, bringing to a close the final stage of the
exploration.
One last entry in Lieutenant Doane’s journal is worthy of mention.
In December, 1878, I was told by my commanding officer, Major Jas. S.
Brisbin, that he had disapproved of the expedition from the beginning,
and had worked to have me ordered back because I had not applied for
the detail through him. I make no comment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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