History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana : 1845-1889, Part 18

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe, 1832-1918; Victor, Frances Fuller, 1826-1902
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: San Francisco : History Co.
Number of Pages: 880

USA > Idaho > History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana : 1845-1889 > Part 18
USA > Montana > History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana : 1845-1889 > Part 18
USA > Washington > History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana : 1845-1889 > Part 18

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CHAPTER V.

INDIAN WARS.

1856-1858.

ACTION OF THE GOVERNOR-DISPOSITION OF FORCES-NEW BATTALIONS- PLAN OF CAMPAIGN-BATTLE OF WHITE RIVER-ON THE SOUND-MAR- TIAL LAW-FIGHTING AT JOHN DAY RIVER AND GRAND ROND-EAST OF THE CASCADE RANGE-STEVENS IN THE HOSTILE COUNTRY-FAILURE OF HIS COUNCIL-LESCHI'S BETRAYAL, ARREST, TRIALS, AND EXECUTION- ASSASSINATION OF QUIEMUTH-TERMINATION OF HOSTILITIES ON THE SOUND-RESULT-WAR DEBT-CLARKE AND WRIGHT'S CAMPAIGN- DEFEAT OF STEPTOE-BATTLES OF FOUR LAKES AND SPOKANE PLAINS IN THE YAKIMA COUNTRY-WALLA WALLA COUNTRY REOPENED.

WHEN Governor Stevens returned to his capital from the Blackfoot country, he was to some extent deceived as to the perils which threatened the Puget Sound region. He approved of the energetic course of Mason, and advocated the vigorous prosecution of the war. But from what he had seen east of the Cas- cades, and from what he knew of the indolent habits of the tribes on the Sound, he was disposed to think the war was to be carried on in the Yakima and Walla Walla valleys rather than at home.

In a special message delivered extemporaneously to the legislative assembly, January 21, 1856, three days after arriving in Olympia, he recited the history of the war as he understood it. The people of the ter- ritory, he said, had urged upon congress the impor- tance to them of extinguishing the Indian title to the country. To this the Indians consented with appar- ent willingness. Being appointed a commissioner to treat with them, he had applied himself to the duty, (157 )

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INDIAN WARS.

and successfully treated with the different tribes, ex- plaining to them with the most minute care the terms to which they had agreed. But the Indians had acted treacherously, inasmuch as it was now well known that they had long been plotting against the white race, to destroy it. This being true, and they having entered upon a war without cause, however he might sympathize with the restlessness of an inferior race who perceived that destiny was against them, he nevertheless had high duties to perform toward his own, and the Indians must be met and resisted by arms, and that without delay, for seed-time was com- ing, when the farmers must be at the plough. The work remaining to be done, he thought, was compara- tively small. Three hundred men from the Sound to push into the Indian country, build a depot, and op- erate vigorously in that quarter, with an equal force from the Columbia to prosecute the war east of the Cascades, in his opinion should be immediately raised. The force east of the mountains would prevent reën- forcements from joining those on the west, and vice versa, while their presence in the country would pre- vent the restless but still faltering tribes farther north from breaking out into open hostilities. There should be no more treaties; extermination should be the re- ward of their perfidy.

On the 1st of February, in order to facilitate the organization of the new regiment, Stevens issued an order disbanding the existing organization, and revok- ing the orders raised for the defence of particular lo- calities. The plan of block-houses was urged for the defence of settlements even of four or five families,1 the number at first erected being doubled in order that the farmers might cultivate their land; and in

1 At Nathan Eaton's the defences consisted of 16 log buildings in a square facing inwards, the object being not only to collect the families for protection, but to send out a scouting party of some size when marauders were in the vicinity. Stevens, in Sen. Ex. Doc., 66, 32, 34th cong. Ist sess .; Ind. A.f. Rept, 34. Fort Henness, on Mound prairie, was a large stockade with block- houses at the alternate corners, and buildings inside the enclosure. On Skooknm Bay there was an establishment similar to that at Eaton's.

159

REORGANIZATION OF TROOPS.

addition to the other companies organized was one of pioneers, whose duty it was to open roads and build block-houses.

The first regiment being disbanded, the reorganiza- tion progressed rapidly, and on the 25th the second regiment was organized into three battalions, desig- nated as the northern, central, and southern; the northern battalion to rendezvous at the falls of the Snoqualimich and elect a major, the choice falling upon Captain J. J. H. Van Bokelin.2 It numbered about ninety men, supported by Patkanim and his company of Indian allies, and built forts Tilton and Alden below and above the falls.3 The central bat- talion was commanded by Major Gilmore Hays, and had its headquarters on Connell's prairie, White River,4 communicating with the rear by a ferry and block-house on the Puyallup, and block-houses at Montgomery's, and on Yelm prairie, besides one at the crossing of White River, communicating with the regular forces at Muckleshoot prairie and Porter's prairie, farther up the valley.

The southern battalion, organized by Lieutenant- colonel B. F. Shaw, was raised upon the Columbia River, and partly of Oregon material,5 obtained by

" The northern battalion consisted of Company G (Van Bokelin's), com- manded by Daniel Smalley, elected by the company; Company I, Capt. S. D. Howe, who was succeeded by Capt. G. W. Beam; and a detachment of Com- pany H, Capt. Peabody. Wash. Mess. Gov., 1857, 38-41.

$ To I. N. Ebey belongs the credit of making the first movement to block- ade the Snoqualimich pass and guard the settlements lying opposite on Whid- bey Island. This company of rangers built Fort Ebey, 8 miles above the month of the Snohomish River. He was removed from his office of collector, the duties of which were discharged by his deputy and brother, W. S. Ebey, during the previous winter while he lived in camp, through what influence I am not informed. M. H. Frost of Seattle was appointed in his stead. This change in his affairs, with the necessity of attending to private business, proh- ably determined him to remain at home. George W. Ebey, his cousin, was 21 lieut in Smalley's company.

4 The central battalion was composed of Company B, Capt. A. B. Rabbe- son; Company C, Capt. B. L. Henness' mounted rangers; a train guard under Capt. O. Shead; the pioneer company under Capt. Joseph A. White, Ist lieut Urban E. Hicks; and Company F, a detachment of scouts under Capt. Calvin W. Swindal. Wash. Mess. Gov., 1857, 38.

'The southern battalion consisted of the Washington Mounted Rifles, Capt. H. J. G. Maxon, Company D, Capt. Achilles, who was succeeded by Lieut Powell, aud two Oregon companies, one company, K, under Francis M.

160

INDIAN WARS.

advertising for volunteers in the Oregon newspapers. Other companies were accepted from time to time as the exigencies of the service required, until there were twenty-one in the field, the whole aggregating less than a thousand men. The regiment was assigned to duty, and furnished with supplies with military skill by the commander-in-chief, whose staff-officers, wisely chosen,7 kept the machinery of war in motion, the detention of which so often paralyzed the arms of Governor Curry's volunteers. Between Curry and Stevens there was perfect harmony, the latter often being assisted by the governor of Oregon in the purchase of supplies, a service which was always gratefully acknowledged.

The plan of the campaign as announced by Stevens was to guard the line of the Snohomish and Snoqual- imich pass by the northern battalion, to drive the enemy into the Yakima country with the central battalion by the Nachess pass, and to operate east of

P. Goff, of Marion co., and another, Company J, under Bluford Miller of Polk co. Or. Statesman, March 11 and May 20, 1856.

6 For convenience of reference, they are named here: Co. A, organized and commanded by Lieut-col Edward Lander; the Walla Walla Co., organized ont of friendly Chehalis and Cowlitz Indians by Sidney S. Ford, capt .; Clarke Co. Rangers, organized by Capt. William Kelly; Co. E, Capt. C. W. Riley, succeeded by Lieut J. Q. Cole; Co. H, Capt. R. V. Peabody; Co. L, Capt. E. D. Warbass; Co. N, Capt. Richards, succeeded by Capt. Williams; Co. M, consisting of 10 white men and 43 Nez Percés, Henri M. Chase, capt .; a co. of Squaxon scouts under Lieut. Gosnell; and a company of Cowlitz Ind- ians under Pierre Charles.

. 7 Lieut-col Lander was retained on the governor's staff, and Jared S. Hurd, E. C. Fitzhugh, and H. R. Crosbie were also appointed aids, with the rank of lieut-col, in addition to the appointments made in Dec., of Craig and Doty. Edward Gibson was appointed extra aid. B. F. Shaw was elected lieut-col of the 2d regiment in April. W. W. Miller still held the office of quartermaster and commissary-general at Olympia. Warren Grove was appointed quartermaster and commissary at Steilacoom, F. Mathias at Seattle, A. H. Robie at The Dalles, Charles E. Weed at Olympia, R. M. Hathaway at Vancouver, and R. S. Robinson for the northern battalion, at Port Townsend, and C. C. Pagett in Lewis county. Commanding officers chose their own adjutants. Tilton remained adjutant-general, C. H. Arm- strong regimental quartermaster and commissary with the right wing of the 2d regiment in the field; and Lieut-col Hurd supt of all business on the Columbia. W. W. De Lacy was appointed adjutant of the southern bat- talion, Humphrey Hill of the northern, and B. F. Ruth of the central battalion. G. K. Willard was surgeou and purveyor of medicine and medi- cal stores at headquarters; M. P. Burns surgeon of central battalion, D. R. Bigelow of northern battalion. Other surgeons were Justin Millard, Albert Eggers, and U. G. Warbass.

161

PRISONERS HANGED.

the Cascade Range with the southern battalion. On the occasion of the governor's reconnoissance of the Sound, which took place in January, the Snoqual- imich chief Patkanim tendered his services as an ally, and upon consultation with Agent Simmons was ac- cepted. He at once took the field with fifty-five well- armed warriors, accompanied by Simmons, L. M. Col- lins, and T. H. Fuller. On the 8th of February they reached Wappato prairie, five miles below the falls of the Snoqualimich, and learning that there was an en- campment of the hostile Indians at the falls, Patkanini prepared to attack them, which he did, capturing the whole party. An investigation showed them to be Snoqualimichs, with the exception of three Klikitat emissaries engaged in an endeavor to enlist them on the side of the hostile combination. Patkanim, how- ever, now that he had entered upon duty as an ally of the white people, carried his prisoners to camp at Wappato prairie and tried them each and every one, the trial resulting in the discharge of the Snoqualimichs, and one of the Klikitats, whose evidence convicted the other two and caused them to be hanged. Their heads were then cut off and sent to Olympia, where a price was to be paid.

From the Klikitat who was allowed to live it was ascertained that there were four different camps of the enemy on the east side of White River, at no great distance apart, above the point where the mili- tary road crossed it, and that Leschi was at one of them, while the crossing of the river was guarded above and below. This information was immediately sent to Olympia.

Patkanim at once proceeded to White River to at- tack Leschi, whom it was much desired by the gov- ernment to arrest. But when he arrived there he found that wily chief alert and on his guard. Being strongly posted in the fork of a small tributary of White River, a sharp engagement followed, resulting in considerable loss. Of the number killed by Pat- HIST. WASH .- 11

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INDIAN WARS.

kanim, all but two were on the farther side of the stream, and he was able to obtain but two heads, which were also forwarded to Olympia. He returned after this battle to Holme Harbor, Whidbey Island, to prepare for further operations, it now being con- sidered that he had fully committed himself to the cause of the white people. He remained faithful, and was of some further assistance, but objected to be commanded by white officers, preferring his own mode of fighting.

About the 13th of February Captain Maloney left Fort Steilacoom with lieutenants Davis and Flem- ing and 125 men, for the Puyallup, where he con- structed a ferry and block-house, after which he moved on to White River, Colonel Casey, who had arrived on the steamship Republic in command of two com- panies of the regular 9th infantry, following a few days later with about an equal number of men.

On the 22d Captain Ford of the volunteers left Steilacoom for White River with his company of Chehalis scouts, in advance of Hays' company, and White's pioncers, who followed after, establishing depots at Yelm prairie and Montgomery's, and mov- ing on to the Puyallup, where they built a block- house and ferry, after which, on the 29th, they pro- ceeded to the Muckleshoot prairie, Henness following in a few days with his company, a junction being formed with Casey's and Maloney's commands at that place, Governor Stevens himself taking the field on the 24th, when the volunteers moved to the Puyallup.

Up to this date the war had been confined to the country north of Steilacoom, although a wide-spread alarm prevailed throughout the whole country. But the watchful savages were quick to perceive that by the assemblage of the regular and volunteer forces in the White River country they had left their rear comparatively unguarded, and on the 24th attacked and killed, near Steilacoom, William Northcraft, in the service of the territory as a teamster, driving off his

163

FIGHT AT WHITE RIVER.

oxen and the stock of almost every settler in the vicinity. On the 2d of March they waylaid William White, a substantial farmer living near Nathan Eaton's place, which was subsequently fortified, kill- ing him and shooting at his family, who were saved by the running-away of the horses attached to a wagon in which all were returning from church. A family was also attacked while at work in a field, and some wounds received. These outrages were perpe- trated by a band of forty savages under the leadership of chiefs Stahi and Quiemuth, who had flanked the troops in small detachments, and while Casey's at- tention was diverted by the voluntary surrender of fifty of their people, most of whom were women and children, whom it was not convenient to support while at war, but which were taken in charge by the Indian department. This new phase of affairs caused the governor's return to Olympia, whence he ordered a part of the southern battalion to the Sound. On the 4th of March, a detachment of regulars under Lieutenant Kautz, opening a road from the Puyallup to Muckleshoot prairie, when at no great distance from White River, discovered Indians and attacked them, Kautz sheltering his men behind piles of drift- wood until Keyes reënforced him, when the battle was carried across the river and to the Muckleshoot prairie, where a charge being made, the Indians scat- tered. There were over a hundred regulars in the engagement, one of whom was killed and nine wounded, including Lieutenant Kautz. The loss of the Indians was unknown.

In the interim the volunteers of the central battal- ion had reached Connell's prairie, where an encamp- ment was formed. On the morning of the 8th Major Hays ordered Captain White's company of pioneers, fifty strong, to the crossing of White River, to erect a block-house and construct a ferry, sup- ported only by Captain Swindal with a guard of ten men. They had not proceeded more than a mile and

164

INDIAN WARS.

a half from camp before the advance under Lieuten- ant Hicks was attacked by 150 warriors, who made a furious assault just as the detachment entered the woods that covered the river-bottoms, and were de- scending a hill. Almost simultaneously the main company received a heavy fire, and finding the odds against him, White despatched a messenger to camp, when he was reenforced by Henness with twenty men, and soon after by Martin with fifteen. The battle continuing, and the Indians making a flank movement which could be seen from camp, Van Ogle was despatched with fifteen men to check it. So rapid were their manœuvres that it required another detachment of twelve men under Rabbeson to arrest them.

The Indians had a great advantage in position, and after two hours of firing, a charge was ordered to be made by a portion of the volunteers, while White's company and Henness' detachment held their positions. The charge was successful, driving one body of the Indians through a deep marsh, or stream, in their flight, and enabling Swindal to take a posi- tion in the rear of the main body on a high ridge. It being too dangerous to charge them from their front, where White and Henness were stationed, they being well fortified behind fallen timber on the crest of a hill, Rabbeson and Swindal were ordered to execute a flank movement, and attack the enemy in the rear. A charge being made simultaneously in front and rear, the Indians were completely routed, with a loss of between twenty-five and thirty killed and many wounded. The loss of the volunteers was four wounded.

This battle greatly encouraged the territorial troops. The Indians were in force, outnumbering them two to one; they had chosen their position, and made the attack, and were defeated with every cir- cumstance in their favor.8

8 Rept of Major Hays, in Wash. Mess. Gov., 1857, 290-2.

165

DESULTORY WARFARE.

This affair was the most decisive of the spring cam- paign of 1856 on the Sound. After it the Indians did not attempt to make a stand, but fought in small parties at unexpected times and in unexpected places. It would indeed have been difficult for them to have fought a general engagement, so closely were they pursued, and so thickly was the whole country on the east side dotted over with block-houses and camps. The block-house at the crossing of White River was completed, the Indians wounding one of the construc- tion party by firing from a high bluff on the opposite bank. A station was made at Connell's prairie, called Fort Hays, by the volunteers, and another, called Fort Slaughter, on the Muckleshoot prairie, by the regu- lars. A block-house was established at Lone Tree point, three miles from the Dwamish, where Riley's company was stationed to guard the trail to Seattle. Later Lieutenant-colonel Lander with company A erected a block-house on the Dwamish, fifteen miles from Seattle. Captain Maloney erected one on Por- ter's prairie, and Captain Dent another at the mouth of Cedar River. The northern battalion, after com- pleting their works on the Snoqualimich and leav- ing garrisons, marched across the country to join the central battalion by order of the commander-in-chief; and Colonel Shaw of the southern battalion added his force to the others about the last of the month.

At this juncture Governor Stevens proclaimed martial law; his forces were readjusted, and a desul- tory warfare kept up throughout the entire region. On John Day River, where the enemy had congre- gated in numbers, Major Layton of the Oregon vol- unteers captured thirty-four warriors in June, and in July there was some fighting, but nothing decisive. Colonel Shaw also did some fighting in the Grand Rond country, but there, as elsewhere, the Indians kept the army on the move without definite results.

In these white raids many Indian horses were taken, and all government supplies stopped. Obviously no

166

INDIAN WARS.

more effective method of subduing the Indians could be adopted than to unhorse them and take away their supplies. The march of the several detachments of regulars and volunteers through the Indian country forced the neutral and needy Indians to accept the overtures of the United States government through the Indian and military departments, and they now surrendered to the agents and army officers, to the number of 923, comprising the Wasco, Tyghe, Des Chutes, and a portion of the John Day tribes, all of whom were partially subsisted by the government. About 400 of the Yakimas and Klikitats who sur- rendered to Colonel Wright during the summer were also assisted by the government agents.

Soon after a battle on the Grand Rond, Major Layton mustered out his battalion, the time of the Oregon troops having expired, leaving only Shaw's battalion in the Walla Walla Valley, to hold it until Colonel Wright should be prepared to occupy it with the regular troops, who had not fought nor attempted to fight an engagement during the summer. A scout- ing party of Jordan's Indian allies, in recovering 200 captured horses, killed two hostile Indians, the sole achievement of a regiment of troops in the field for four months. About the 1st of August Wright re- turned to Vancouver, leaving Major Garnett in com- mand of Fort Simcoe, and the Indians at liberty to give the volunteers employment, which they were ready enough to do.ª

9 The 2d regiment of Washington volunteers was officered, so far as the official correspondence shows, as follows: Co. A, Capt. Edward Lander; Ist lieut A. A. Denny, vice H. H. Peixotto resigned; 2d lieut D. A. Neely; H. A. Smith surgeon; strength 53 rank and file. Non-com. officers, John Hen- ning, C. D. Biven, J. Ross, Jacob Wibbens, James Fielding, Walter Graham, David Manner, Asa Fowler. Co. B, Capt. Gilmore Hays, promoted to major by election; Ist lient A. B. Rabbeson, elected capt. vice Hays; Ist lieut Van Ogle, vice Rabbeson, and John Brady, vice Van Ogle, commanded lastly by Captain Burntrager; 2d lieut William Martin; 2d lieut William Temple, vice Martin resigned. Non-com. officers, Frank Ruth, D. Martin, M. Goodell, N. B. Coffey, J. L. Myres, T. Hughes, H. Horton; strength 52 men rank and file. Co. C, Capt. B. L. Henness; Ist lieut G. C. Blankenship; 2d lieut F. A. Goodwin; non-commissioned officers, Joseph Cushman, William J. Yeager, Henry Laws, James Phillips, William E. Klady, Thomas Hicks, S. A. Phil- lips, H. Johnson; strength 67 rank and file. Co. D, Capt. Achilles; Ist

167

STEVENS' MOVEMENTS.

Governor Stevens was unable to push forward any troops east of the Cascade Range for two months after the Oregon troops were withdrawn upon the understanding that Colonel Wright was to occupy the Walla Walla Valley. In the mean time the hostile tribes enjoyed the fullest liberty up to the appearing of the southern battalion, and those previously friendly, being in ignorance of the intention of the authorities toward them, made this an excuse for withdrawing their allegiance.

Lieutenant-colonel Craig, who with his auxiliaries had been using his best endeavors to hold the Nez Percés and Spokanes constant to their professions, met the volunteers in the Walla Walla Valley, and escorted Captain Robie with the supply train under

lieut Powell; strength 44 rank and file. Co. E, Capt. Charles W. Riley; strength 21 men rank and file; commanded lastly by Lieut Cole. Co. F, Capt. Calvin W. Swindal; Ist lieut J. Q. Cole; strength 40 rank and file. Co. G, J. J. H. Van Bokelin: promoted to maj. by election; Ist lieut Daniel Smalley, elected capt. vice Van Bokelin; 2d lieut G. W. Ebey; strength 55 rank and file. Co. H, Capt. R. V. Peabody; strength 42 rank and file. Co. I, Capt. S. D. Howe; Ist lieut G. W. Beam, elected capt. vice Howe; Thomas Sinnot, vice Beam; 2d lieut Benj. Welcher, vice John Y. Sewcll resigned; strength 35 rank and file. Co. J, Capt. Bluford Miller; Ist lieut Anthony WV. Pressley: 2d lieut Andrew Sheppard; strength 40 rank and file. Co. K, Capt. Francis M. P. Goff; Ist lieut Israel Hedges; 2d lieut Thomas Waite; strength 101 rank and filc. Goff also mentions Lieut Hunter. Co. L, Capt. E. D. Warbass; Ist lient J. W. Anderson; 2d lieut J. B. Bouchard; strength 91 rank and file. Co. M, Capt. Henri M. Chase; Ist lieut V. L. La Fontaine; 2d lieut Louis Rabion; strength 53 rank and file; 10 white men, 43 Nez Perces. Co. N, Capt. Richards; Ist lieut John Estes; 2d lieut Williams in command; strength 74 rank and file. Washington Mounted Rifles, Capt. H. J. G. Maxon; Ist lieut Ed Barrington; 2d lieut Curtiss; strength 95 rank and filc. Clarke County Rangers, Capt. William Kelly; Ist lieut J. D. Biles; 2d lieut P. Ahern; strength 81 rank and file. Pioneer Co., Capt. Joseph A. White; Ist lieut U. Hicks; 2d lieut T. McLean Chambers; non-com. officers, Daniel J. Hubbard, Columbus White, Marcus McMillan, Henry G. Parsons, Isaac Lemmons, James Burns, William Ruddell, William Mengle; strength 40 rank and file. Fourteen of this company, under Hicks, did duty as mounted men. Walla Walla Co., Capt. S. S. Ford; strength 29 rank and file. Train Guard, Capt. Shead; strength 47 rank and file. Nisqually Ferry Guard, strength 9 men. Lewis Co. Rangers, Capt. John R. Jackson; 1st lieut Jackson Barton, succeeded by Anderson; 2d lieut . Roundtree, succeeded by Balisti; strength 67 rank and file. Cowlitz Rangers, Capt. H. W. Peers; strengtlı unknown. Indian auxiliaries, Snohomish chiefs Patkanim and John Taylor capt .; strength 82. Squaxon Indians, Lieut Gosnell capt .; strength 15. Chehalis Indians, Capt. S. S. Ford, Jr; strength 17. Cowlitz Indians, Pierre Charles capt .; strength 9. Wash. Mess. Gov., 1857, 28-30, and general mili- tary correspondence. Changes being frequent, I am at a loss where to place lieuts Temple, Mounts, and G. W. Martin. The staff-officers have been men- tioned in a previous note.

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History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana : 1845-1889, Part 18

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe, 1832-1918; Victor, Frances Fuller, 1826-1902 Publication date: 1890 Publisher: San Francisco : History Co. Number of Pages: 880

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe, 1832-1918; Victor, Frances Fuller, 1826-1902
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: San Francisco : History Co.
Number of Pages: 880