USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > An illustrated history of Walla Walla County, state of Washington > Part 11
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The subsequent events made it seem likely that the Indians had made a change of policy during the night. They shouted words in the Cayuse language evidently intended for the captive chief alone.
When morning of that bleak December day dawned, Peupeumoxmox was very anxious to get some stay of proceedings. He said that his people needed time to prepare provisions, etc., in order to give the whites a fitting recep- tion. It was nearly noon before the cold, hun- gry, disgusted command got started, and after passing through the canyon in safety they reached the Indian village, but alas! no warmth or food, or welcome awaited them. The village was deserted. Scouts were seen on the surrounding hills, and finally after much shouting and gesticulating one Indian was in- duced to come to the camp. He proved to be the son of Peupeumoxmox. Having entered into conversation with his son, the old chief finally directed him to notify the people to come in and make peace. The son told him that they were only awaiting the arrival of Five Crows to do so. But they waited a long time and the famished and exhausted volun- teers saw that they must return to the mouth of the Touchet to join those there left with provisions and baggage. Doing so, night found them at the Touchet.
In the morning early the force was under way with baggage and all available resources, moving toward Whitman mission where Col- onel Kelly planned to make a winter camp.
Peupeumoxmox with several companions were still with them. Soon after the volunteers had crossed the Touchet, the ball opened. Who first fired is still a matter of dispute. Gilbert quotes A. P. Woodward as asserting that the whites fired first; a member of Company B. named Jont, being the one that fired the first shot. A running fight up the Walla Walla val- ley ensued. At the mouth of Dry Creek, near the present Loudon place, the Indians made a brief stand, but being forced from their posi- tion they broke again and pressed on hastily toward Frenchtown. There spreading across the valley they made a determined stand. Here Lieutenant J. M. Burrows, of Company H. was killed and a number of men were wound- ed. Giving way again, the savages retreated to the location of the Tillier ranch, and there, near the present site of the Frenchtown church, the fight was renewed. There Captain Ben- nett, of Company F, and Private Kelso, of Company A, were killed.
The soldiers had found an abandoned how- itzer at Wallula and this, under charge of Cap- tain Wilson, was now brought to bear on the enemy. At the fourth discharge the piece burst, severely wounding Captain Wilson. But the Indians now broke again and fled. The fight was over for the time and the soldiers camped that night on the field of battle. The spot where the severest contest occurred here was marked a few years ago by a gathering. with appropriate exercises and the raising of a flag provided by Mrs. Levi Ankeny ; a deeply interesting occasion in which veterans of that war took great joy. Prominent among these were General Mc. Auliff, William Painter, Louis McMorris and A. G. Lloyd, all known to everyone in Walla Walla.
During that first day's battle, at about the hottest part of the action, Peupeumoxmox and
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his four companions in captivity became des- perately excited and seemed to be attempting to escape. Their guards, by a sort of common consent, without agreement or orders, began firing indiscriminately upon them. In a minute or two all was over and the great "Yellow Serpent" with all his companions but one was lying dead. The one that was spared was a Nez Perce. Only one made resistance. This was a powerful Willamette Indian called "Wolf Skin." who fought desperately with a knife, cutting one of the guards severely, until he was dispatched by a blow from the butt of a gun.
It is asserted by some that the body of Peu- peumoxmox was mutilated shamefully. It should be said that all the testimony shows that the volunteers as a body were in no sense re- sponsible for any atrocities, but treated the In- dians in an entirely humane manner.
This massacre of the Indian captives (if it is to be considered as such) has been the sub- ject of the most bitter dispute. Some, as Gil- bert, have most strongly censured the troops, especially on account of the mutilation, as guilty of the "infamous acts of soulless men." Others have regarded the killing as necessary, on the ground that the Indians were trying to escape and rejoin their companions; that the battle was at a critical point and that self preserva- tion justified the killing of the chief whom they believed to have been meditating treachery and making all the trouble from the beginning. Lewis MeMorris, who is the only one living here who witnessed the event, tells the writer that he believes that "it was either kill them or let them escape." and they were apparently just on the point of doing the latter. Mr. McMorris is confident that no one would have touched them if they had not tried to escape. Nobody now, however, justifies the mutilation of the body of the old Walla Walla chief, if it was
really mutilated as asserted. Even Elwood Evans, in the "History of the Pacific North- west," written for the express purpose of white- washing everything that any volunteer or other white man ever did, admits that it was "in bad taste" for the troops to mutilate the body of the chief. We will not undertake here and now to decide the vexed question of the rights and wrongs of the Walla Walla chief. The likeli- hood is that he or his people did meditate treachery, but whatever the plot may have been it failed to materialize. It is also probably true that some of the volunteers were bitter, intoler- ant, excited and very willing for an excuse to get rid of the captives.
On the next day the battle was renewed. Colonel Kelly thus describes the events of the next two days, and inasmuch as his official re- port thus embraces the essential features of the case, we quote it at length.
" Early on the morning of the 8th, the Indians ap- peared with increased forces, amounting to fully six hundred warriors. They were posted as usual in the thick brush by the river, among the sage brushes and sand knolls, and on the surrounding hills. This day Lieutenant Pillow, with Company A, and Lieutenant Hannon, with Company H, were ordered to take and hold the brush skirting the river and the sage bushes on the plain. Lieutenant Fellows, with Company F, was directed to take and keep the possession of the point at- the foot of the hill. Lieutenant Jeffries, with Company B. Lieutenant Hand, with Company I, and Captain Cor- noyer, with Company K, were posted on three several points on the hills, with orders to maintain them and to assail the enemy on other points of the same hills. As usual the Indians were driven from their position, al- though they fought with skill and bravery.
" On the 9th they did not make their appearance un- til about ten o'clock in the morning and then in somewhat diminished numbers. As I had sent to Fort Henrietta for Companies D and E and expected them on the 10th, I thought it best to act on the defensive and hold our positions, which were the same as on the 8th, until we could get an accession to our forces sufficient to enable us to assail their rear and cut off their retreat. An attack was made during the day on Companies A and H in the brushwood, and upon B on the hill, both of which were repulsed with great gallantry by those companies and with considerable loss to the enemy. Companies F, I and
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K also did great honor to themselves in repelling all ap- proaches to their positions, although in doing so one man in Company F and one in Company I were severely wounded. Darkness as usual closed the combat by the enemy withdrawing from the field. Owing to the inclem- ency of the night, the companies on the hill were with- drawn from their several positions, Company B abandon- ing its rifle pits, which were made by the men of that company for its protection. At early dawn of the next day the Indians were observed from our camp to be in possession of all points held by us on the preceding day. Upon seeing them, Lieutenant McAuliff, of Company B, gallantly observed that his company had dug those holes and after breakfast they would have them again; and well was his declaration fulfilled, for in less than an hour the enemy was driven from the pits and fled to an adjoining hill which they had occupied the day before. This posi- tion was at once assailed. Captain Cornoyer, with Com- pany K and a portion of Company I, being mounted, gallantly charged the enemy on his right flank, while Lieutenant McAuliff, with Company B, dismounted, rushed up the hill in the face of a heavy fire and scattered them in all directions. They at once fled to return to this battle field no more, and thus ended our long con- tested fight.
" In making my report I cannot say too much in praise of the conduct of the officers of the several companies and most of the soldiers under their command. They did their duty bravely and well during those four trying days of battle. To Second Major Chinn, who took charge of the companies in the brush by the river, credit is due for bravery and skill; also to assistant Adjutant Monroe Atkinson, for his efficiency and zeal as well in the field as in the camp. And here, while giving to the officers and men of the regiment the praise that is justly due, I cannot omit the name of Hon. Nathan Olney, although he is not one of the volunteers. Having accompanied me in the capacity of Indian agent, I requested him to act as my aid on account of his admitted skill in Indian warfare, and to his wisdom in council and daring courage on the battle field, I am much indebted and shall ever appreci- ate his worth.
"Companies D and E having arrived from Fort Henrietta on the evening of the 10th, the next morning I followed with all the available troops along the Nez Perces' trail in pursuit of the Indians. On Mill creek, about twelve miles from here, we passed through their village, numbering one hundred and ninety-six fires, which had been deserted the night before. Much of their provisions was scattered by the wayside, indicating that they had fled in great haste to the north. We pursued them until it was too dark to follow the track of their horses, when we camped on Coppei creek. On the 12th we continued the pursuit until we passed some distance beyond the stations of Brooke, Noble and Bumford on the Touchet, when we found the chase was in vain as many of our horses were completely broken down and the men
on foot. We therefore returned and arrived in camp on yesterday evening with about one hundred head of cattle which the Indians had left scattered along the trail in their flight,
"On the 11th, while in pursuit of the enemy, I re- ceived a letter from Narcisse Raymond, by the hands of Tintinmetzy, a friendly chief (which I enclose), asking our protection of the French and friendly Indians under his charge.
"On the morning of the 12th, I dispatched Captain Cornoyer, with his command, to their relief. Mir. Olney, who accompanied them, returned to camp this evening and reports that Captain Cornoyer will return to-morrow with.Mr. Raymond and his people, who now feel greatly relieved from their critical situation. Mr. Olney learned from these friendly Indians what before we strongly be- lieved, that the Palouses, Walla Wallas, Umatillas, Cay- uses and Stock Whitley's band of Des Chutes Indians were all engaged in the battle on the Walla Walla. These Indians also informed Mr. Olney that after the battle the Palouses, Walla Wallas and Umatillas have gone partly to the Grande Ronde and partly to the country of the Nez Perces; and Stock Whitley, disgusted with the manner in which the Cayuses fought in the battle, has abandoned them and gone to the Yakima country to join his forces with those of Kamiakin. We have now the undisputed possession of the country south of Snake river and I would suggest the propriety of retaining this possession until such time as it can be occupied by the regular troops. The Indians have left much of their stock behind, which will doubtless be lost to us if we go away. The troops here will not be in a situation for some time to go to the Palouse country, as our horses at present are too much jaded to endure the journey, an I we have no boats to cross Snake river, no timber to make them nearer than this place; but I would suggest the propriety of following up the Indians with all possible speed, now that their hopes are blighted and their spirits broken. Unless this is done, they will perhaps rally again.
" To-day (December 14, 1855) I received a letter from Governor Stevens, dated yesterday, which I en- close. You will perceive that he is in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the war. With his views I fully concur.
"I must earnestly ask that supplies be sent forward to us without delay. For the last three days none of the volunteers, except the two companies from Fort Henri- etta, have had any flour. None is here an I but little at that post. We are now living on beef and potatoes, which are found en cache, and the men are becoming much discontented with this mode of living. Clothing for the men is much needed as the winter approaches. To-morrow we will remove to a more suitable point, where grass can be obtained in greater abundance for our worn-out horses. A place has been selected about two miles above Whitman station, on the same (north) side of the Walla Walla, consequently I will abandon this fort, named in honor of Captain Bennett, of Com-
.
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pany F, who now sleeps beneath its stockade, and whose career of usefulness and bravery was here so sadly, but nobly, closed.
"Very respectfully your obedient servant, " JAMES K. KELLY,
" Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Left Column. "W. H. FARRAR, " Adjutant of Regiment, O. M. V."
The winter following the battle of the Walla Walla was one of the coldest and most trying ever known in this country. The vet- erans among the volunteers have left on record accounts of their sufferings, which show that war in an Indian country was not a picnic in those times. The writer has heard the late W. C. Painter describe vividly the experience of sleeping. or trying to, with scarcely any cov- ering and the mercury at twenty below zero.
Meantime. while these events were occur- ring in the Walla Walla and Yakima coun- tries, what was Governor Stevens doing? As already noted, after having negotiated the treaty at Walla Walla in June, 1855, he passed on to the Blackfoot country where he also ne- gotiated a successful treaty. Having reached Hellgate. in the present Montana, on his return, he was met by a detachment of Nez Perce In- dians who informed him of the war and of the fact that he was thus cut off from any direct communication with his government. His own official report to the Secretary of War gives so clear and vivid an account of what followed that we reproduce it here.
"The result of our conference was most satisfactory. The whole party. numbering fourteen men, among whom were Spotted Eagle, Looking Glass and Three Feathers. principal chiefs among the Nez Perces, ex- pressed their determination to accompany me and share any danger to be encountered. They expressed a desire that after crossing the moun- tains I should go to their country where a large
force of their young men would accompany me to The Dalles and protect us with their lives against any enemy.
"Having replenished my train with all the animals to be had, on November 4th we pushed forward. crossed the Bitter Root mountains the twentieth, in snow two and a half to three feet deep, and reached the Cœur d'. Alene mis- sion the twenty-fifth, taking the Cœur d'Alenes entirely by surprise. They had not thought it possible that we could cross the mountains so late in the season.
"With the Cœur d' Alenes I held a council. and found them much excited, on a balance for peace or war, and a chance word might turn them either way. Rumors of all kinds met us here : that the troops had fought a battle with the Yakimas and driven them across the Colum- bia towards the Spokane, and that the Walla Wallas, Cayuses and Umatillas were in arms, and that they had been joined by a party of Nez Perces. The accounts were of so con- tradictory a nature that nothing certain could be ascertained from them, excepting that the several tribes below were in arms, blocking up our road. and had threatened to cut off my party in any event. However. I determined to push to the Spokane.
"The Spokanes were even more surprised than the Coeur d' Alenes on seeing us. Three hours before my arrival they had heard that I was going to the settlements by way of New York. I immediately called a council : sent to Fort Colville for Mr. McDonald in charge of that post of the Hudson's Bay Company; sent also for the Jesuit fathers at that point. They arrived. A council was held, at which the whole Spokane nation was represented. The Cœur d' Alenes and Colville Indians also were present.
"The Spokanes and Colville Indians evinced
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
extreme hostility of feeling; spoke of the war below; wanted it stopped ; said the whites were wrong. The belief was current that Peupeu- moxmox would cut off my party, as he had re- peatedly threatened. They had not joined in the war, but yet would make no promise to remain neutral. If the Indians now at war were driven into their country they would not answer for the consequences; probably many of the Spokanes would join them. After a stormy council of several days the Spokanes, Cœur d'Alenes and Colvilles were entirely conciliated and promised they would reject all overtures of the hostile Indians and continue the firm friends of the whites.
"Having added to my party and organized, etc., we thence made a forced march to the Nez Perce country. Mr. Craig had received letters which informed me that the whole Walla Walla valley was blocked up with hostile In- dians, and the Nez Perce said it would be im- possible to go through.
"I called a council and proposed to them that one hundred and fifty of their young men should accompany me to The Dalles. Without hesitation they agreed to go. Whilst in the council making arrangements for our move- ments news came that a force of gallant Oregon volunteers, four hundred strong, had met the Indians in the Walla Walla valley and after four days hard fighting, having a number of officers and men killed and wounded, had com- pletely routed the enemy, driving them across Snake river and toward the Nez Perce country. The next day I pushed forward, accompanied by sixty-nine Nez Perces, well armed, and rcached Walla Walla without encountering any hostile Indians. They had all been driven across Snake river below us by the Oregon troops.
"It is now proper to inquire what would
have been the condition of my party had not the Oregon troops vigorously pushed into the field and gallantly defeated the enemy.
"The country between the Blue moun- tains and the Columbia was overrun with In- dians, numbering one thousand to twelve hun- dred warriors, including the force at Priest Rapids under Kamaiakun, who had sworn to cut me off ; it was completely blocked up. One effect of the campaign of the regulars and volunteers in the Yakima country under Brig- adier General Rains, was to drive Kamaiakun and his people on our side of the Columbia river, and thus endanger our movement from the Spokane to the Nez Perce country. Thus we had been hemmed in by a body of hostile Indians through whom we could have only forced our way with extreme difficulty and at great loss of life. We might all have been sacrificed in the attempt. To the opening the way to my party, I am solely indebted to the Oregon volunteers. Peupeumoxmox, the cel- ebrated chief of the Walla Wallas, entertained an extreme hostility toward myself and party. owing to imaginary wrongs he supposed to have been inflicted upon him in the treaty con- cluded with the Cayuses and Walla Wallas last June, and had been known repeatedly to threaten that I never should reach The Dalles. He was the first to commence hostilities by plundering Fort Walla Walla and destroying a large amount of property belonging to the United States Indian Department.
"At Walla Walla I found some twenty-five settlers-the remainder having fled to The Dalles for protection. With these were one hundred friendly Indians. Special Indian Agent B. F. Shaw, colonel in the Washington Territory militia, was on the ground, and I at once organize.l the district, placed him in com- mand and directed him, if necessary, to fortify,
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at all events, to maintain his ground should the Oregon troops be disbanded before another force could take the field. The Nez Perce auxiliaries were disbanded and returned home."
CHARGES PREFERRED AGAINST GENERAL WOOL.
"Thus we had reached a place of safety un- aided, excepting by the fortunate movements of the Oregon troops. Not a single man had been pushed forward to meet us, although it was well known we should cross the mountains about a certain time, and arrive at Walla Walla about the time we did. Why was this? Arrangements had been made with Major Raines by Acting Governor Mason, to push forward a force under Colonel Shaw to ineet me at Spokane about the time of my arrival there. A company had been enlisted, organized ard marched to Fort Vancouver to obtain equipments, rations and transportation, which Major Raines had promised both Governor Mason and Colonel Shaw should be promptly furnished them. Some little delay ensued, and in the meantime Major General Wool arrived who immediately declined equipping the com- pany, as promised by Major Raines, and stated that he could not in any manner recognize vol- unteers or furnish them equipments or trans- portation. and declined to supply their place with regular troops, of whom, at Vancouver alone, were some three hundred and fifty men."
Following this description of his journey Governor Stevens went on to prefer charges of gross negligence on the part of General Wool. All history abounds in instances of in- tense personal feuds and disagreements, but our Pacific coast history seems to have been especially fruitful in them. That between Gen- eral Wool, with some of the officers who echoed his opinions. the regulars in short on one side,
and Governor Stevens supported by the vol- unteers and the nearly united people of the ter- ritory on the other, was peculiarly acrimoni- ous. We insert the following extract from the report by Governor Stevens to the Secre- tary of War:
"When remonstrated with by Captain Will- iam Mckay, in command of the company, to push forward to my assistance, when informed of the object for which the company was en- listed, and that if it was not pushed forward at once, or if some other force was not sent, Governor Stevens and his party would be in the most imminent danger, the general replied that in his opinion the danger was greatly exaggerated ; that probably Governor Stevens would be able to protect himself. but if he could not, then Governor Stevens could obtain an escort fron General Harney.
"What a reply was that! A moiety of the Indians now in arms had defeated a detach- ment of one hundred United States regulars. Major Raines had placed on record his opinion that an insufficient force would be defeated by these Indians, and my party was supposed to number no more than twenty-five men. Yet Major General Wool very coolly says, 'Gov- ernor Stevens can take care of himself.' So, too, in the remark that I could obtain aid from General Harney. Did General Wool know that the distance from Fort Benton to the supposed position of General Harney was greater than the distance from Fort Benton to The Dalles and that to obtain aid from him would require not less than six months, and that an express to reach him must pass through the entire breadth of the Sioux? Such ignorance shows great incapacity and is inexcusable.
"Mr. Secretary-Major General Wool, commanding the Pacific Division, neglected and refused to send a force to the relief of my-
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self and party, when known to be in imminent danger. and believed by those who were less capable of judging, to be coming on to certain death, and this when he had at his command an efficient force of regular troops. He re- fused to sanction the agreement made between Governor Mason and Major Raines for troops to be sent to my assistance, and ordered them to disband. It was reserved for the Oregon troops to rescue us.
"The only demonstration made by Major Raines resulted in showing his utter incapacity to con:mand in the field. As has heretofore been said. his expedition against the Yakimas ef- fected nothing but driving the Indians into the very country through which I must pass to reach the settlements.
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