Geo. B. Currey to Samuel R. Curtis, May 3, 1864
Camp No. 6, on Grande Ronde River, May 3, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I reached this camp, on Grande Ronde River, a: the eastern base of the Blue Mountains, on yesterday. I experienced no difficulty in crossing the Blue Mountains; had fair weather and much better roads than I expected before starting. Uma-how-lits (war chief of the Cayuse tribe) and ten of his warriors joined me at Lee’s encampment, on the Blue Mountains. They are fine-looking fellows, well mounted, and seem very anxious to return with some war trophies. I could have selected more Indians, but after making calculations concerning subsistence and the amount of transportation under my command, I did not deem it prudent to take more. I remained in camp to-day to permit the animals to rest and graze, as there was little feed upon the mountain. I start in the morning at 6 o’clock, my usual hour for commencing the day’s march.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Captain, First Oregon Cavalry, Commanding Expedition.