At the close of the war, many men re-enlisted for service in the west, and they were among the best, for their experience in guerilla warfare well fitted them for the character of Indian fighting.

Al. Wiker, of Alliance, with five others of his original company were with the Harney convoy that had a battle in Scottsbluff Mountain Pass.

This convoy was in August, 1866, in charge of freight outfits for Fort Laramie and beyond as far as Salt Lake City. From Wiker I obtained the story.

They were camped at the springs some distance east of the mountain, likely on the Sowerwine place, and in the morning the wagons started out a short distance ahead of the soldiers. With the wagons were a number of camp tenders, and other wagons that were. owned by travellers who took advantage of the presumed safety of being close to the soldiers, and they were traveling along with them.

These wagons were moving through the big gap when attacked. The sound of battle reached the soldiers who were just mounting, and they started forward at a gallop. Instead of heading straight for the gap they rode toward the point of rocks, known as Eagle Crag, just north of the present pathway that leads up to the mountain top from the east. At its base the cavalry parted, and one-half swung around to the south, skirting Engine Rock, and the others essayed to negotiate the Bad Lands north of the mountain.

Those coming upon the rear of the wagon