Career
His name appears throughout the history of the United States Civil War and post-bellum period. Cline began his career as a sailor aboard the whaling ship South Carolina in 1846. Prior to the United States Civil War, Cline moved to Indiana, and during the War, he served as a scout with the 3rd Regiment Indiana Cavalry.
Under the command of Major General Joseph Hooker, Cline was assigned to a newly formed core of scouts.
Cline"s success with this group was mixed. This latter episode ended Cline"s career in the 3rd Indiana.
After the war Cline moved west, ultimately settling his home in Cimarron, Colorado. At its peak, his ranch covered 450 acres (180 ha) and had 5400 head of cattle.
Cline had a close relationship with Chief Ouray and the Ute people who neighbored his range.
He was known to intervene in local disputes between the Utes and the white settlers, specifically during the hostage crisis following the Meeker Massacre, when Cline was among the party sent by the United States government to negotiate the release of hostages taken by the Utes. Cline died on October 7, 1911, in Montrose County, Colorado. At the time, the Ouray County Plaindealer noted his death as "A famous old pioneer dead.".