Copyright 2000 - 2003 - Janine M. Bork
This page is part of the
Union County, OR AGHP
Oregon and Washington Indian War - Governor Stevens' Operations - His Return from the Blackfoot Council - He Addresses the Legislative Assembly - Call for volunteers - Indian Attack Upon the Town of Seattle - Arrival of the Ninth Infantry - Governor Mason Goes to Washington City - Governor James Douglas - Patkanim Has a Battle with Leschi's Band - Murder of Northcraft and White - Battle of Connell's Prairie - Indians Becoming Demoralized - Major Hays Resigns His Command - Raid of Maxon's and Achilles' Companies Up the Nisqually - Arrest of Wren, McLeod and Others - Habeas Corpus Proceedings - Martial Law in Pierce and Thurston Counties - Trials by Military Commission - Discharge of Wren, McLeod and Others - Trial of Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw and Governor Stevens for Contempt of Court - Campaign of Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw East of the Cascade Mountains.
AFTER the signing of the treaty made with the Flatheads, Kootenais and Upper Pend d'Oreilles, Governor Stevens proceeded to Fort Benton to attend the Blackfoot council. The council through satisfactorily, the governor set out on his return to Olympia. On the 29th of October, two days out from Fort Benton (1), an express brought the intelligence of the outbreak of the Yakimas, the preceding murders, and repulse of Major Haller, and the further declaration of their intention to exterminate all the Whites in the country. He was advised that the current belief was that the Cayuses, Walla Wallas and Coeur d'Alenes were disposed to hostilities. His party - consisting of twenty-five men, with poor and jaded animals wornout in the express service necessitated by the Blackfoot council, with but few arms and little ammunition, entirely unprepared for such an exigency, having believed their return was through a territory of friendly Indians - halted their train. Secretary Doty was dispatched to Forts Campbell and Benton to procure fresh animals, arms and ammunition. On the thirty-first, Governor Stevens hastened forward to Bitter Root valley, instructing Mr. Doty to follow with the train as speedily as its condition would permit. The governor reached the valley November 4th, making two hundred and thirty miles in four and one-half days. The train left the Missouri November 4th, and in eight days reached Hell Gate, in Bitter Root valley, a distance of two hundred miles, where the governor's camp had been established. Before reaching the valley, Governor Stevens had overtaken delegations of Nez Perces, returning from the Blackfoot council. At Hell Gate, he held a conference with them. They had heard of the war below; but Governor Stevens fully explained the situation, and requested certain of them to accompany him by way of the Coeur d'Alene Pass, although he had been advised that it was impracticable from snow. The whole party, fourteen men, among whom were spotted Eagle, Looking Glass and Three Feathers,
(1) Governor Stevens' message to Washington legislature, January 21, 1856.
(572)
principal chiefs among the Nez Perces, expressed their determination to accompany. The Nez Perces invited the governor to go to their country, when a large company of men would escort him to The Dalles.
On the 14th of November, the governor pushed forward, crossed the Bitter Root Mountains on the twentieth, the snow being nearly three feet deep, and reached the Coeur d'Alene mission on the twenty-fifth. A council was held with those Indians; but they were greatly excited, and uncertain whether to be for peace or war. At this place the rumors were extremely alarming; - that the troops had fought a battle with the Yakimas and had driven them across the Columbia; that the Walla Wallas, Cayuses and Umatillas were in arms, and that the Nez Perces had joined the hostiles. Nothing seemed reliable but the fact that several tribes in front were in arms, blocking up the road, and that they had threatened to cut off the governor's party. The governor still advanced to the Spokane country. A council was called, at which the whole Spokane nation was represented. It was also attended by the Coeur d'Alenes and Colvile Indians. The Spokane and Colvile Indians were bitterly hostile in their expressions. They denounced the war below, wanted it stopped, and said the Whites were in the wrong. The belief was general that Peu-peu-mox-mox would execute his oft-repeated threat against the governor and his party, - the threat that he would never reach The Dalles alive. Those Indians had not as yet joined the hostiles. They would not even promise neutrality, but said that, if the Indians at war were driven into their country, many of the Spokanes would join them. After a stormy council lasting several days, those Indians were conciliated and promised to continue the firm friends of the Whites.
Governor Stevens having reinforced his party, a forced march was made to Lapwai in the Nez Perce country. The whole nation except the buffalo hunters assembled to great the governor. William Craig, from letters received, informed the governor that Walla Walla valley was blocked up with hostile Indians; and the Nez Perces declared it was impossible to get through. Governor Stevens called a council, and asked them for an escort of one hundred and fifty to accompany him to The Dalles. Cordially they agreed to go. Before the council had adjourned the news ws received of Colonel Kelley's victory in Walla Walla valley. The next day, with sixty-nine well-armed Nez Perces, the governor started for Walla Walla, which he reached without encountering a hostile Indian. Such was the gauntlet which Governor Stevens, a commissioner of the United States to negotiate treaties, had to run in returning from his duty. Yet General Wool, the commanding officer of the territory, disbanded a company of volunteers who had been raised and accepted into the United States service, with the condition that one of their duties should be that of escorting Governor Stevens on his return from the Blackfoot country through that hostile region. Such was the bitter hate of that arch-enemy of the territories of Washington and Oregon. Governor Stevens reached Olympia on the 19th of January, 1856.
By unanimous request of the Legislative
Assembly, then in session, the governor, on the 21st day of January, 1846,
addressed both houses in joint convention. He reviewed the Indian policy
which had hitherto governed his administration, rapidly and cursorily noticed
the events of the Indian war, and adverted to the policy which would govern
the further prosecution of the Indian war by the territorial authorities.
He boldly proclaimed that the volunteers called out by Governor Mason to
co-operate with the regulars had been treated with bad faith; that some
of those troops had been disbanded in open violation of positive understanding;
and that, therefore, "It is now proper that the authorities of
this territory should conduct the movements of its troops, co-operating however with the regular troops where such co-operation can be effective; that the volunteers called into service by the territory should not be mustered into the service of the United States; that he was ready to take the responsibility of calling for troops to act independently of the regular service."
On the 23d of January, 1856, Governor Stevens issued a proclamation calling for six companies of volunteers, reciting for the occasion that "during the past three months a band of hostile Indians have been spreading alarm amongst the settlers residing on Puget Sound, murdering the families, destroying property, causing claims to be abandoned, and preventing the usual avocations of the farmer, whereby a large portion of the territory has become deserted; and positive want, if not starvation, stares us in the face during the coming year: And whereas, the term of service of the troops already called out into the field has or is about to expire; and, by a vigorous prosecution of the war, it is believed that a peace can soon be conquered, or our enemies west of the Cascade Mountains be annihilated, especially from the friendly attitude, up to this time, maintained by the Indians residing immediately upon the waters of Puget Sound."
That preamble briefly stated the condition of the country at that time. It recognized that war existed against the hostile bands of Indians west of the Cascade Mountains, against those Indians, who had, up till this time, refused to move upon the reservations, and who refused to be separated from, or who acted with the hostiles. It was not war against the race. It was war against those who refused to be wards or dependents of the government and to live in amity with the Whites.
On the 26th of January, 1856, at half-past eight o'clock in the morning, the Indians attacked the town of Seattle. This attack, made in open daylight, an United States sloop-of-war anchored in the harbor, indicated a boldness at variance with Indian character, and utterly inexplicable, considering their usual mode of warfare. It demonstrated that the felling of confidence had returned to them. It meant conclusively: "Had they been successful in that engagement, thereby would have been settled the question by the great number of Indians upon the reservations, who yet doubted as to which party should have their allegiance." It was the bold bid of the race to stimulate to hostility the wavering. The firing continued incessantly all day. Two white men were killed. The U.S. ship Decatur rendered most valuable assistance. A number of Indians were killed; but the number, as in all conflicts with that race, could not be definitely ascertained. A shell thrown by the Decatur struck a house upon the outskirts of the town, which the Indians reported to have killed five of their number. Outside the town of Seattle, all the houses in King county, excepting the improvements on Alki Point, had been burnt to the ground; and the whole country was devastated. On the day of the attack, a company was raised for the defense of that place, the term of enlistment of Captain Hewitt's company having expired. Of that new company, Hon. Edward Lander, Chief Justice of the territory, was elected captain. Although raised to temporarily defend Seattle, the company was received into the new regiment raised under the governor's recent proclamation as Company A.
On the 29th of January, Lieutenant-Colonel Casey, U.S. Army, arrived at Steilacoom in the steamer Republic, with two companies of the Ninth Infantry, the remaining companies of that regiment, under Colonel Wright, U.S. Army, having gone to Fort Vancouver.
The following appointments were
made by the governor, who was ex officio commander-in-chief: James Tilton,
Adjutant-General; William W. Miller, Quartermaster
and Commissary-General; James K. Hurd, Asst. Quartermaster and Commissary-General; Charles E. Weed, Quartermaster, Olympia; Warren Gove, Quartermaster, Steilacoom; R.S. Robinson, Quartermaster, Port Townsend; M.B. Millard, Quartermaster, Portland, Oregon; M.R. Hathaway, Quartermaster, Vancouver; A.H. Robie, Quartermaster, The Dalles.
The following exhibit from the muster rolls shows the companies who were accepted into the service, their strength, together with the names of their officers: B. Frank Shaw, Lieutenant-Colonel; Walter W. de Lacy, Adjutant; Christopher H. Armstrong, Quartermaster. Company A: Captain Edward Lander; Seattle, King county; fifty-three men, rank and file; infantry. Company B.: Captain Gilmore Hays; Olympia, Thurston county; fifty-two men, rank and file; infantry. Upon the election of Captain Hays as Major, he was succeeded by A.B. Rabbeson, who was succeeded by D.E. Burntrager. Company C: Captain Benjamin L. Henness; Thurston county; sixty-seven men, rank and file; mounted; furnished their own horses. Company D: Captain J.H. Achilles; forty-four men, rank and file; mounted. During part of term, First Lieutenant Powell commanded this company. Company E: Captain C.W. Riley; Steilacoom; twenty-one men, rank and file; infantry. First Lieutenant Cole succeeded Captain Riley in command of company. Company F: Captain Calvin W. Swindal; Mason county; forty men, rank and file; infantry. Company G: Captain Jno. J.J. H. Van Bokkelin; Jefferson county; fifty-five men, rank and rile; infantry. On the election of Captain Van Bokkelin as Major of the Northern Battalion, he was succeeded by Captain Daniel Smalley. Company H: Captain R.V. Peabody; Whatcom; forty-two men, rank and file; infantry. Company I: Captain Samuel D. Howe; Island; thirty-five men, rank and file; infantry. Company J: Captain Bluford Miller; Oregon; forty men, rank and file; mounted rifles. Company K: Captain F.M.P. Goff; Oregon; one hundred and one men, rank and file; mounted rifles. Company L: Captain Edward D. Warbass; Lewis count; ninety-one men, rank and file; infantry. Company M: Captain Henri M. Chase; fifty-three men, rank and file; mounted. This company was composed of ten white men and forty-three Nez Perces. They furnished their own horses. Company N: Captain Richards; Oregon; seventy-four men, rank and file; mounted. A part of term this company was commanded by Captain Williams. Washington Mounted Rifles: Captain H.J.G. Maxon; ninety-five men, rank and file; mounted. Clark County Rangers: Captain Wm. Kelly; eighty-one men, rank and file; mounted. Pioneer Company: Captain Joseph White; Thurston county; fort men, rank and file; infantry. On Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw's expedition to Eastern Oregon, a part of the Pioneer Company, Captain Urban E. Hicks, performed duty west of the mountains as mounted men, - fourteen men, rank and file. Walla Walla Company: Captain Ford; twenty-nine men, rank and file; mounted. Train Guard: Captain Oliver Shead; forty-seven men, rank and file; infantry. Nisqually Ferry Guards: Sergeant Packwood; nine men, rank and file; infantry.
Much anxiety existed on account
of the presence of a number of Northern Indians on the Sound; and their
constant robberies and depredations upon the remote and defenseless settlements
was a continued cause of alarm. The hostiles were becoming emboldened.
Their coming to the very verge of the settlements, stealing horses and
cattle and driving them off to their camps and pastures, was of constant
occurrence. On the 30th of January, Governor Charles H. Mason took his
departure on the steamship Republic for Washington City, as a bearer
of dispatches, and to present the condition of our territorial and Indian
affairs to the national government.
Illustrative of the manner in which Governor Stevens took responsibility and accomplished purposes, as also the sympathy of Sir James Douglas, Governor of Vancouver Island, in our struggle, the appeal of the former to the latter (February 7, 1856), and the response, should not be omitted. It exhibits the poverty of the territory, - its actual needs; it alike shows the humanity of Governor James Douglas. Governor Stevens addressed Governor Douglas: "I have appointed R.S. Robinson my commissary and quartermaster for the volunteer operations on the lower part of the Sound; and I have to request that you will furnish him what whatever he may call for. We need powder, lead, sugar, coffee, pork, clothing, candles, soap, etc. I have no question that an appropriation will be made this session of Congress to defray these expenses; and Captain Robinson will issue the necessary certificates for such articles as you may furnish."
Governor Douglas, after the exchange of several notes as to the method of purchase and securities, replied: "Unable to procure supplies from the merchants of Victoria on the terms proffered in your letter, I have purchased a quantity of sugar, coffee, the number of blankets wanted for the troops, with a supply of gunpowder and lead, with my private funds, for Captain Robinson, with a view of meeting your present necessities, leaving the payment for your settlement in any manner that will secure me from loss."
Nearly three years later, the government of the United States having delayed the recognition of this debt, because, as Secretary John B. Floyd remarked, he "had been under the impression that the debt arose from an ordinary purchase of goods, made on the same terms as other purchases at that time from private parties." Sir James Douglas explained that transaction to Lord Napier, the British Minister at Washington: "They were advanced from my own private funds to aid, not the ordinary military operations of the country, for that I should not have felt bound to do, but to avert the devastating inroads of savages menacing the destruction of the defenseless settlements of the United States. You will see by the impressive and oft-repeated appeals made to me for assistance, and that failing all other aid, and having no government means at my command, I authorized Mr. Commissary Robinson to purchase a limited quantity of stores at my expense, which he did; and I paid the cost from my own private funds, and not in the least in connection with the Hudson's Bay Company. That was done from an entirely friendly spirit, as governor of her Majesty's colony of Vancouver Island; and assuredly I should not have laid out money in that way, under any other circumstances, with views of commercial profit."
Secretary Floyd on learning this, January 27, 1859, earnestly recommended the payment of this advance, in which President Buchanan heartily concurred in this language: "I learn that this transaction had in it nothing whatever of a commercial character, but was, in fact, a loan made by the generosity of the chief magistrate of a neighboring colony, in a time of great distress, for the relief of the territory, and with the guaranty of the national faith as security."
Congress made the appropriation as recommended, "to refund the amount of this claim, with interest, which is clearly demanded by the circumstances of the case."
On the 4th of February, Patkanim,
with fifty-five friendly warriors of the Snohomish and Snoqualmic tribes,
had taken the field for the purpose of operating against the hostiles of
the White, Green and Puyallup rivers. Colonel Simmons and Mr. Fuller of
the Indian service accompanied them up the Snoqualmic river till they abandoned
their canoes. On the 8th of February, these Indians auxiliaries were scouting
along the base of the mountains. When within five miles of Snoqualmic Falls,
and eighty miles east of Seattle,
Patkanim learned of an Indian camp just below the falls. Colonel Simmons, the Indian agent, and the Whites who had accompanied, had been directed by Patkanim to camp on Wapito Prairie. Patkanim then surrounded and captured the whole Indian camp, numbering seventeen, without firing a gun. Three of the party proved to be Klikitats. The others belonged to Pakanim's tribe. One of the Klikitats turned informer, and agreed to join Patkanim and guide the party to Leschi's camp. The other two Klikitats, Patkanim hanged and beheaded. From the Klikitat informer, much information was obtained. He said that the Klikitats, during the previous fall and winter, had been east of the mountains, engaged in making war upon the Whites; that the hostiles who had taken part in the war at different times and places numbered between five and six hundred; that Nelson and Leschi's bands, together with the Sababs and Duwamish Indians, had made the recent attack upon Seattle, but that neither Leschi nor Nelson was personally present; that there were but thirty armed Indians then in the vicinity of Seattle, and that they were in the vicinity of Lake Washington; that the hostiles were divided into four camps, all near each other, upon the eastern side of White river, just above where it was crossed by the military road, and that the road was completely guarded at its crossing; that in the spring, as early as practicable, a large portion of the Yakimas and Klikitats would cross the mountains and renew hostilities.
On the night of the 15th of February, Patkanim arrived at the camp of Leschi in the forks of a small stream on White river. He intended to have surprised Leschi; but his approach was betrayed by the barking of the dogs. A fruitless colloquy occurred between the two chiefs; and Patkanim commenced the attack on the next morning. Leschi's party occupied a log house outside the forks. After a desperate fight, Patkanim dislodged Leschi's party, who retreated to the forks of the river. The fight continued ten hours. Leschi's party lost eight men killed, one being a chief, six being killed on the opposite side of the river. Two of the heads only were secured as trophies of the battle. Patkanim continued the fight until he was out of ammunition, when he withdrew his forces to wait for supplies. About this time, another party of Indian scouts, mostly of the Chehalis tribe, was organized, with Sidney S. Ford as captain. In the meantime, a sufficient number of volunteers had been accepted into the service to form the Central Battalion, which, on the 21st of February, elected Captain G. Hays, Major. A.B. Rabbeson succeeded to the command of Company B. the battalion consisted of Companies B,C, the Pioneers under Captain White, and Company F, Captain C.W. Swindal. They immediately established the post at Camp Montgomery, and by the 29th of February had established a post and ferry at the crossing of the Puyallup river by the emigrant road.
On Sunday, February 24th, William S. Northcraft, of Thurston county, in the employ of the quartermaster of the volunteer forces, was killed about twelve miles from Olympia, on his way to the fort on Yelm Prairie. Heretofore, the Indians had confined their operations to the country northward of Steilacoom, between the Puyallup and Snoqualmic rivers, embracing the Green and White river country, and the vicinity of Seattle. They now transferred themselves to the Nisqually region. The Indians in that vicinity were commanded by Quiemuth and Ste-hi.
On the Tuesday following, the twenty-sixth, Wesley Gosnell started for the Nisqually bottom with fifteen friendly Indians form the Squoxin reservation as scouts.
On the 27th of February, the
Central Battalion were ordered to move forward to the Muckleshoot Prairie,
to co-operate with the regulars under Colonel Casey. But "this is not intended
either directly or indirectly to place you under the orders of Colonel
Casey,
nor to make your operations subordinate to his." En route to Muckleshoot, a blockhouse, to be garrisoned by ten men, was ordered to be erected at Porter's Prairie, and one also of Camp Connell.
On Sunday, the 2d of March, William White, one of the oldest residents and most prominent citizens of Thurston county, while returning from church on Chambers' Prairie with his family, was killed by a small band of hostile Indians. Mr. White was walking at the head of the horse, a little in advance, when he was shot and instantly killed. The horse took fright at the firing and ran away, to which circumstance is attributable the saving of the lives of the two estimable ladies who were accompanying Mr. White.
On the 10th of March, a decisive engagement was fought on Connell's Prairie. Major Hays reported the result of the action as follows: "At about eight o'clock this morning, Captain White, with his company, was ordered to the White river to build a blockhouse and ferry, supported by Captain Swindal and ten privates. He had not proceeded more than half a mile from camp when he was attacked by a large Indian force, supposed to be at least one hundred and fifty warriors and a large number of squaws. I immediately ordered Captain Henness to his support with twenty men. Captain Henness moved with great rapidity, a tremendous volley of guns announcing his arrival. I became satisfied that an additional force was necessary, and dispatched Lieutenant Martin of Company B, with fifteen additional men. The Indians by this time were seen extending their flank to the left with great rapidity. I then ordered Lieutenant Van Ogle, Company B, with fifteen men, to check their flank movement but, before he could gain a position, they had so extended their line as to make it necessary to send another party of twelve men under command of Captain Rabbeson, who succeeded in checking them. The fight by this time extended the whole length of our line; and one continuous volley could be heard form the Indian guns on the hill and those of our men in the bottom This firing continued some two hours. I saw the advantage which the Indians had in position, and determined to charge them. I ordered Captain Swindal to charge them from his position, which was central, and Captain Rabbeson to make a simultaneous move against their extreme left; while Captain Henness and Captain White were ordered to hold the position which they occupied.
"This order was promptly obeyed,
and the charge made in the most gallant style by Captain Swindal against
their center, and Captain Rabbeson against their left, through a deep slough,
driving the enemy from their position and pursuing them some distance in
their flight. Captain Rabbeson returned to camp; while Captain Swindal
occupied a high ridge in the rear of the main body of the Indians. I ordered
Captain Rabbeson to join Captains Henness and White, and direct Captain
Henness to charge the Indians if he deemed it advisable. The Indians in
front of Captains White and Henness were in strong position behind logs
and trees, and upon an elevation. It was deemed too dangerous to charge
them in front. Captain Rabbeson was ordered to join Captain Swindal, make
a flank movement to the right, and charge the enemy in their rear. This
order was gallantly obeyed. Simultaneously with this movement, Captains
Henness and White charged them in front. The Indians were routed, and were
pursued for a mile or more along a trail covered with blood. It is believed
that not less than twenty-five or thirty were killed, and as many wounded.
They had been seen carrying off their wounded and dead from the time the
fight commenced until it terminated. Withes and ropes were found on the
ground they occupied, which had been used in dragging off their dead into
the bush. Hats, blankets and shirts were picked up with bullet holes, in
them,
stained with blood. They were forced to give up their drum, which they abandoned in their retreat. But two Indians were found dead on the field, one of whom was recognized as Chehalis John. the other was placed under a log, and has not yet been examined. The Indians had together their whole force. They picked their own ground. They brought on the attack without being seen by our troops. I regard the victory of this day as complete, - a grand triumph. They exceeded us in numbers nearly if not quite two to one; and we whipped and drove them before us. We had four men wounded, all of whom will soon get well."
On the 14th of March, the Indians attacked Captain White's Pioneer Company, while at work on the blockhouse on White river. Company C, Captain henness, were on guard at the time, one man of which company was severely wounded.
Everything now indicated that the Indians were disheartened, and were separating into small parties. Major Hays wrote on the 24th of March: "The Indians are evidently much alarmed, and are flying before us as rapidly as possible, leaving behind their poor horses, five of which we have taken. I should judge them to be in a starving condition from the fact that we have found a number of their horses killed for food."
On the 10th of April, 1856, Major Hays resigned his commission in the volunteer service. Very soon thereafter, B.F. Shaw was elected lieutenant-colonel.
On the 12th of March, Captain Maxon of the Southern Battalion, having arrived with his command of fifty-four men, was ordered to detach twenty-five men to escort a train to Fort Connell, and to scout with the remainder of his company up the right bank of the Des Chutes river, by way of Chambers' and Tenalquott Prairies, and to return by way of Gravelly Prairie. His general field of duty was defined to be to scout the country between the Des Chutes and the Puyallup.
Certain persons who had intermarried with squaws, such squaws having been members of tribes then hostile, and the husbands being discharged employés of the Hudson's Bay Company, in consequence of suspicions that they had harbored and were harboring the hostiles, and had furnished information and afforded supplies to them, as also from the fact that the had without molestation continued to dwell in the vicinity of those Indians who were in arms, when it was impossible for any American even to pass through that section of country, had prompted Governor Stevens to order those persons into Nisqually and Steilacoom. Those suspects were also informed that if they returned to their claims they would be regarded as enemies. It is alike unnecessary to express an opinion as to the authority of the executive ot make such an order, or to pas upon the guilt of the parties suspected. That the motive of bringing them in was good will not be denied; and that circumstances appeared to corroborate the suspicions may well be conceded. Captain Maxon was ordered to visit the claims of those parties, and, if the banished parties returned, to watch them and bring them in.
Captains Maxon and Achilles left
McLeod's on the 29t of March, and proceeded up Nisqually river. On the
thirty-first, they overtook Indians beyond Olalley Lake. They here took
Chuckmose, and two women with children, prisoners. Of two other Indians
who attempted to escape, one was killed and the other taken prisoner. From
the prisoners it was learned that a small band with a number of horses
were encamped on the Owhop river. At that point, eleven horses and two
colts were captured; but the Indians had recently fled. On the 1st of April,
Captains Maxon and Achilles pushed forward to the forks of the Nisqually
and Michael. At length the presence of the hostiles was ascertained. The
woman who had been taken prisoner was sent forward to engage in
conversation, while the volunteers surrounded the Indian camp. A portion of the troops had crossed the river before the attack was made; and the men crawled up to within twenty feet of the ranch containing the Indians. The surprise was so complete that but one hostile gun was fired. After the first fire, the Indians jumped into the stream with a view of gaining the opposite side; but they were here met by the party who had crossed the river. Three were killed in the stream, and two in the forks below. One of the killed was a prominent Indian leader known as Sky-skie. About noon, a small party were sent out to reconnoiter, and to cross the Michael at its mouth; while the company itself crossed the Michael about a mile above, in search of a trail to the encampment of the hostiles, called by the prisoners Jim's camp, where it was represented that a great number of horses had been collected. Before the crossing was effected, a party of Indians, five or six in number were discovered crossing on a log. They were fired upon by the advance guard. One was killed and another wounded. The others escaped by the stream. The detachment at the forks was apprised of the presence of the Indians by one jumping into the stream and heading for the opposite side. he wa fired upon and killed. The next day the command returned to McLeod's, where they arrived on the 3d of April. On their way they seized and sent in as prisoners Charles Wren, John McLeod, L.A. Smith and others, discharged Hudson's Bay Company employés, Red river half-breeds and Canadian French who were married to Indian wives, and who were suspected of communicating with, furnishing supplies to, and harboring the hostiles.
The events which followed those arrests were of so important a character as to render it necessary to refer to the causes which were alleged as justifying the extraordinary subsequent proceedings of Governor Stevens. As early as March 2, 1856, it had ben determined to order to Fort Nisqually "certain settlers, with their families, whose further continuance upon their farms was deemed incompatible with the public safety or interest." Dr. Tolmie, a chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, in charge of that post, was desired to detain them, to keep an account of necessary supplies furnished to them, to observe their conduct, and to prevent any communication between them and the hostile Indians. On the 8th of march, Isaac W. Smith, then acting as secretary of the territory in place of Charles H. Mason, who had gone to Washington City, had been sent to those settlements (mostly in Pierce county), composed of French Canadians and half-breeds, many of whom were discharged employés of the Hudson's Bay and PUget Sound Agricultural Companies. Most of those persons were married to, or living with, indian women, - some few to half-breed women. Pursuant to his instructions, Mr. Smith ordered several of those families into Nisqually; but they were permitted, when so preferring, to go to Steilacoom. Suspicions against those persons were undoubtedly justified, not only on account of their marital relations, but also from the fact that they could dwell in perfect safety in a section of country which no American dare visit. The hostiles were known to visit their homes. There were reasons justifying the belief that the Indians could and did, by threats or persuasion, obtain supplies; and Indian testimony even charged several of them with having furnished ammunition to the hostiles. Public policy, and the interest of the territory, seemed to demand the removal of those persons from the seat of war, and from proximity to the hostiles; and no fault can justly be found with the manner in which their removal was sought to be effected.
In the latter part of March,
Captain Maxon, when scouting through that region, found that those suspects
had returned to their places in the hostile country. He caused them at
once to be brought into Olympia. On the 31st of March, Governor
Stevens sent Captain Maxon's prisoners under a a volunteer guard to Fort Steilacoom. Lieutenant-Colonel Casey, U.S. Army, commanding that post, received them, and placed them in the guardhouse.
On the 2d of April, 1856, Governor Stevens issued a proclamation of martial law over the county of Pierce, and inclosed a copy of the proclamation a letter of that date to Colonel Casey. This letter alleged that the design of the proclamation was to prevent the taking from that officer, "by civil process, habeas corpus, or otherwise," the prisoners in his custody. What is most singular, Colonel Casey was requested to suppress the proclamation, or not put it in force until civil process had been served upon him. On the night of April, 2d, Governor Stevens was informed by an express that Colonel William H. Wallace and Frank Clark had been retained by the prisoners as counsel, and that those attorneys had gone to Whidby's Island to apply for a writ of habeas corpus, to be made returnable before Associate Justice Francis A. Chenoweth, Judge of the courts of the third judicial district. Colonel Casey replied, April 3, 1856, requesting to be relieved of the charge of the prisoners. He expressed doubt whether the proclamation of Governor Stevens would relieved him of the necessity of obeying a writ of habeas corpus. The proclamation of martial law over Pierce county was at once published, bearing date April 3, 1856.
The proclamation allege as the
causes for its issuance: "in the prosecution of the Indian war, circumstances
had existed affording such grave cause of suspicion that certain evil-disposed
persons of Pierce county had given aid and comfort to the enemy, and had
been placed under arrest and ordered to be tried by a military commission;
and that efforts were then being made to withdraw by civil process those
persons from purview of the said commission." It then proclaimed martial
law over the county of Pierce, and suspended the functions of all civil
officers in the county. Had a military commission to try those persons
been ordered? If so, it too had been abrogated and suppressed. A careful
inspection of the records of the office establishes that the order under
which a military court was detailed for the trial of those parties emanated
from the governor, May 16, 1856, a date more than six weeks after the proclamation
of martial law had asserted the existence of such an order. Nor was the
suspension of that writ essential to confer jurisdiction upon a military
commission; nor would it help such a tribunal to perform an unlawful act.
The criticism of Governor Stevens' official acts will not go further than
to furnish a candid view of the condition of affairs at that time. Lieutenant-colonel
Casey, on command of Fort Steilacoom, had three companies of United States
troops. The forces of the territory, consisting of the Central and Southern
Battalions, were engaged in scouting the whole country. The hostile Indians
were disintegrated, were breaking up into small parties, and were disheartened.
After the decisive action of connell's Prairie on the 10th of March, 1856,
there never had ben another general fight between the hostiles and the
troops in either service. All the reports of the different scouts to territorial
headquarters indicate that the Indians had separated into small bands,
were avoiding the troops, were thoroughly demoralized, and that many had
escaped across the mountains. Assuming that the conduct of those parties
had rendered them liable to suspicion by the authorities, yet there was
no real cause at that time to justify the subversion of the civil law to
the military, and for the degradation of the judiciary. While it is notoriously
the fact that, until the discharge of those persons and the departure of
the volunteers under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw for a campaign
against the Indians east of the Cascade Mountains, the history of the period
of martial
law is almost a full narrative of the proceedings of the territorial forces. A brief statement of the events in their order must suffice.
The proclamation continued in force on the 5th of May, the first Monday of the month, the time fixed by a law of the territory for holding the district court of Pierce county. The illness of Judge Chenoweth, Judge of that court, caused him to request Hon. Edward Lander, Chief Justice of the territory, to hold that term of court. On the first day of the term, the court was opened in due form of law. A patriotic desire of Judge Lander (himself a captain of a company raised for the defense of the territory) to co-operate with the territorial authorities induced the chief justice to suspend the court for that day, to enable, as he requested, the governor to withdraw his proclamation. The governor had the volunteers to sustain him, and he declined. To Judge Lander was left the only alternative. He had but one duty to perform; and that was to hold the court as required by law. On the 7th of May, after conferences with the governor and officers had failed, he opened the court. A few minutes thereafter he was forcibly removed from the Bench by the territorial volunteers under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw; and he and the clerk, together with the records of the court, were taken out of the county, and removed to Olympia. On the ninth, Judge Lander was informed that he was no longer a prisoner. On the tenth, John M. Chapman, the clerk, was notified that he was at liberty.
On the 12th of May (the second Monday of the month), the term of the district court of the county of Thurston, in Judge Lander's own district, commenced. On that day, three of the prisoners in the custody of the governor applied to Judge Lander at his chambers for a writ of habeas corpus. It was issued, of course; nay, it could not be denied. It was made returnable on Wednesday, May 14th. The marshal served the writ of Monday evening. During that night, martial law was proclaimed in Thurston county. The alleged cause for it was "that the writ of habeas corpus was issued to prevent the trial of the persons seized, which trial had been ordered to take place on the 20th of May." On the morning of the 13th of May, a company of volunteers rode into town, and placed a cannon in front of the courthouse' and, though none of the soldiery entered the courtroom, yet they were on duty at the governor's office immediately opposite the courthouse door. In defiance and contempt of the writ, the persons at whose instance the habeas corpus was issued were taken by a guard out to Camp Montgomery, - out of the county of Thurston. On the fourteenth, court still proceeded; and, the governor failing to appear at the judge's chambers, a rule for a writ of attachment was taken, returnable on the 15th. On that day the attachment issued. The marshal charged with its service was resisted; and Judge Lander and his clerk were arrested by a company of volunteers, commanded by Captain Bluford Miller of Oregon. The clerk was not detained in custody; but Judge Lander, refusing to suspend the court during the pending of the proclamation of the executive, was sent a prisoner to Camp Montgomery in Pierce county, where he continued until his release upon May 26, 1856.
On the 23d of May, Judge Chenoweth, having recovered,
reached Steilacoom and granted two several writs of habeas corpus,
directed to Colonel Shaw, one ordering him to produce the body of Judge
Lander, and abide the decision of the court as to his right to retain him
in custody, and the other relating to three of the prisoners, returnable
May 24, 1856. That day had been fixed for admiralty proceedings. Anticipating
an attack on the part of the executive, as his proclamation of martial
law had not been revoked, the court very wisely summoned a sufficient number
of bailiffs to protect its dignity. Judge
Chenoweth also called upon Lieutenant-Colonel Casey, commanding at Fort Steilacoom, for aid should it be required. Colonel Casey declined, but visited Lieutenant Curtis, who was in command of the detachment of volunteers charged with the duty of seeing martial law enforced, and who had been ordered to arrest Judge Chenoweth should he persist in holding court. It was the intention of Colonel Casey, if he could not dissuade that officer, to have addressed the volunteers. The commendable conduct of Lieutenant Curtis made the latter step unnecessary; and the session of the court was not disturbed. Colonel Shaw, failing to answer to the writs of habeas corpus, an attachment was issued, the judge giving a lengthy opinion, in which the acts of the executive were freely commented upon and censured.
On the 26th of May, proclamations revoking martial law were posted and published. That evening Colonel Shaw was arrested upon the attachment. On the morning of the twenty-seventh, by written request of Governor Stevens, the hearing upon the writ was fixed at the November term, 1856, of the Pierce county district court. The reason for this delay was that the expedition into the Yakima country, of which Colonel Shaw was commander, had been organized and was about to start.
The result of the trial by the military commission of the suspected persons may be interesting in this connection. The court convened at Camp Montgomery on the 20th of May. On the 23d of May, they decided that the offense charged, being "aiding and comforting the enemy," constituted the crime of treason, which could not be tried by a military court. The court adjourned until May 26th, at which time the judge-advocate preferred amended charges. A plea to the jurisdiction was made by the accused, and preferred amended charges. A plea to the jurisdiction was made by the accused, and argued orally by their counsel, but was overruled. The parties pleading not guilty on the 28th of May, the judge-advocate advised, "that the further prosecution of the charges against the accused involved the absence of many valuable officers from the command of the troops, and was therefore seriously interfering with military operations; and, as martial law had been abrogated, that no further proceedings be had against the accused by the court, but that they be turned over to the civil authorities." The court so ordered. The governor, who ordered the trial, approved the proceedings.
On the 29th of May, Captain de Lacy, a member of the military commission, swore out a warrant for the arrest of three of the suspected persons, to answer the charge of "giving aid and comfort to the Indians, with whom the United States were at war," which complaint was investigated by James M. Bachelder, then U.S. commissioner for that district. At the close of the examination, the acting United States district attorney moved the discharge of one of the defendants. The others were discharged by the United States commissioner on the next morning. The evidence and all the proceedings were published; and it must be a matter of regret that the termination of this matter affords so little justification for the violence and injustice used against the persons who were driven from their homes, and branded in times of deep discouragement with being traitors. The outrage upon the constitution and the law, and the humiliation of the judiciary, are graver matters; and, as the actors in this travesty on justice stand most condemned, by direct reference to the record detailing the facts, further reference to the subject is needless. Governor Stevens was shortly afterwards fined by the judge of the second judicial district for contempt of court in refusing to obey the writ of habeas corpus.
The sequel is easily told. The
conduct of Governor Stevens was most freely discussed, and those acts made
the subject of comment. The majority of the people sustained him. His immediate
friends and supporters likened the matter to the fining of General Jackson
at New Orleans by Judge Hall. There were many who gave utterance to the thought, that the mantle of that distinguished chieftain had descended to and clothed the hero, who, with a regiment of volunteers at his call, had for the time being overawed and overthrown county courts, contemned their authority, and had twice refused to obey a writ of habeas corpus. History does not require the further carrying out of the parallel. It may be summed up in the respective judgments of Judges Hall and Lander. The former fined General Jackson one thousand dollars. Governor Stevens was fined by the latter fifty dollars.
On the 22d of May, 1856, Colonel Shaw called a council of the officers of the Southern and Central Battalions, then at Camp Montgomery. The council unanimously decided that an expedition to the country east of the Cascade Mountains was necessary, and assigned the following reasons: "The mounted volunteers having crossed the mountains, the necessity of protecting the settlements west of the mountains, especially the Puget Sound country, devolved upon the United States infantry commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Casey. Should the volunteers remain west of the mountains, they assumed that Lieutenant-Colonel Casey would be obliged to go east of the mountains and join Colonel Wright; and that, while infantry were best adapted to the service west of the Cascades, the mounted volunteers could operate to advantage in the regions east. The Yakimas were the leading element of the hostile party. Their main strength must be broken before pursuing individuals or small parties. They asserted that, if Colonel Wright did whip the hostiles with infantry, he could not follow them after a fight. If the volunteers remained west of the mountains, they were powerless the check any enemy over one hundred and fifty miles off. The volunteers must make a fight before going out of service. Sufficient troops would still remain west of the mountains to protect the settlements. It was necessary that depots of provisions should be established in the Yakima country before the winter. The Indians west of the mountains had been repeatedly defeated; whilst those east of the Cascades had never been checked."
Such were the conclusions of
the volunteer council of war held at Camp Montgomery. It is a matter of
regret that, at that time (it does not matter upon whom the censure should
be cast), there existed a feeling of mistrust between the United States
troops operating in Washington Territory, and the territorial volunteer
forces. Many at that time (the officers of the regular army without exception)
contended that, since early in 1856, volunteers had not been required for
the protection of the settlements in the vicinity of Puget Sound. And the
reason assigned by that council of war, "that the volunteers must make
a fight before going out of service," was the concession by that organization
that a campaign east of the mountains and a battle with the hostiles were
essential to justify the policy of the executive in having so long maintained
the volunteer force as a separate organization. In this connection, it
is proper to remark that, on the 15th of March, 1856, Colonel Casey, U.S.
Army, had made a requisition on Governor Stevens for two companies of volunteers,
stating in such request that, with that force and the United States troops
under his command, he could protect the frontier without the assistance
of the territorial volunteers. That requisition was not complied with.
On the 1st of June, Colonel Casey had again informed the governor that
he had regular troops enough to give protection to the inhabitants of this
portion of the territory. At the same time, Colonel Wright, U.S. Army,
with a large force of troops, was conducting a campaign in the Yakima country.
The Indians west of the mountains had been whipped. East of the mountains,
in the Yakima country, a truce had been agreed upon by Colonel Wright with
the Yakima
and other hostile tribes. Governor Stevens maintained with equal pertinacity the positions assumed by him. The people of the territory, jealous of the reputation of its gallant volunteers, justly indignant at the cruel slanders which General Wool ahd uttered against them, ardently and most justifiably coveting revenge and retribution upon the Indians who had without provocation commenced this war by the treacherous murder of many of their fellow countrymen, with almost entire unanimity approved the expedition conducted by Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw east of the Cascade Mountains into the country of the hostiles, against those tribes who not only had been hostile, but were at the time harboring Leschi, Quiemuth, Nelson, Kitsap and the chieftains who had committed the massacres on Puget Sound.
Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw crossed the Cascade Mountains by the Nahchess Pass and camped on the Wenass on the 20th of June, having lost but one animal. He there sent out scouting parties, who encountered no hostile Indians, but found the camp of Colonel Wright, U.S. Army, on the Upper Yakima, with eight companies of regulars. That officer had a short time before held a council, but had failed to make a treaty. A number of Yakima chiefs had been present, as also Leschi, Kitsap and Nelson of the Puget Sound hostiles. Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw's expedition moved forward down the Wenass to near its mouth, thence over the Atahnam and Nahchess to the big bend of the Yakima, thence directly across the country to the Columbia river at the mouth of the Umatilla, some twenty-five miles below Fort Walla Walla. On the 30th of June, two canoes manned by four Indians were observed. Upon being ordered to come in by Colonel Shaw, they refused, and were fired upon, though at a distance of five hundred yards. The Indians abandoned one canoe, which a volunteer swam to and brought in. The Indians made their escape unhurt. Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw gives as his reason for the crossing the Yakima country without delay, that both Colonels Wright and Casey, U.S. Army, had informed him that they had ample forces for the protection of the Yakima region and the settlements west of the mountains. Everything indicated, at that time, that the regulars in the field repelled the assistance of the volunteers, believing their presence entirely unnecessary.
About that time, Governor Stevens had proposed a joint
operation of the volunteers and regulars for a campaign into the Yakima
country, the volunteers to cross over the Snoqualmic Pass, and the regulars
by the Nahchess Pass. Colonel Casey declined the joint campaign, and sent
two companies of infantry, by way of The Dalles, to reinforce Colonel Wright.
Captain W.W. de Lacy, having returned from a reconnaissance of the Snoqualmic
Pass, reported its impracticability at this season, on account of the great
delay it would occasion to the crossing of wagons. The Nahchess Pass was
adopted, and the Snoqualmic route abandoned. Messrs. Coffee and Sharp,
two of the volunteers, successfully carried an express to the camp of Colonel
Wright, apprising him of the projected movement of the volunteers. Lieutenant-Colonel
Shaw marched from Camp Montgomery on the 12th of June, with a force consisting
of four companies of the Central and Southern Battalions, Majors Blankenship
and Maxon, viz.: Company C, Captain Henness; Mounted Rifles, Major Maxon;
Company D, Lieutenant Powell; and Company J, Captain Miller, - numbering
one hundred and seventy-five officers and men. Captain C.H. Armstrong accompanied
as quartermaster and commissary of the expedition, and was in charge of
one hundred and seven pack animals and twenty-seven packers. The companies
of Captains Goff and Williams being fully recruited on the Columbia river,
and numbering one hundred and fifty-six men, rank and file, left The Dalles
on the 22d of June, with orders to join Colonel Shaw at Walla Walla. A
train of forty-five
wagons and thirty-five pack animals accompanied in charge of A.H. Robie, quartermaster and commissary.
In the early part of July, the Nez Perces evincing a hostile disposition, Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw went among them, held a conference and received from them assurances of peace. The preliminaries were arranged for a general council to be held with the Nez Perces, Spokanes and other Indians who had not heretofore acted with the hostiles.
On the 9th of July, the two expeditions came together on Mill creek, in the Walla Walla country, excepting Captain Goff's detachment of sixty-eight men. He had separated from the train on the Umatilla river on the 6th of July, to reinforce Major Layton of the Oregon Volunteers, who had informed Captain Goff that he had overtaken a large band of Indians, at the head of John Day's river, too numerous for him to attack prudently. Captain Goff's force reached Layton's camp on the ninth; bu the Indians had a few hours previously retired. The two commands followed up John Day's river to Red Bluff without encountering Indians. Captain Goff, being severely ill, sent forward Lieutenant Hunter and twenty-eight men to join Major Layton with his force of forty-five men. Captain Goff followed two days later, and, on the 17th of July, overtook Major Layton and Lieutenant Hunter on Burnt river. On the fifteenth, which was the day Major Layton and Lieutenant Hunter had reached Burnt river, Second Lieutenant Eustus, Company N, and privates Smith and Richardson of Company K, proposed going to an adjacent hill to reconnoiter. Before reaching the summit, they were fired upon from an ambush. The two former were instantly killed; but the latter made his escape into camp. hearing the firing in camp, Lieutenant Hunter, with ten men, marched to their relief, drove the Indians from the hill, and recovered the bodies of Eustus and Smith. The Indians that night surrounded the camp to prevent expresses being sent out, and in the morning were still on three sides of the camp. Firing continued until three o'clock, one private, James Cheney, Company K, being wounded. Lieutenant Hunter then charged the Indians, killing three, wounding one, and killing a horse. Major Layton then joined his force to Lieutenant Hunter's party; and the firing was renewed during the night. On the eighteenth, the command left Burnt river, struck the emigrant road, and reached the camp on Mill creek on the 25th of July.
To resume the operations of the main expedition under Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw: Having strengthened the post on Mill creek, and secured the services of a Nez Perce chief (Captain John) for a guide, Colonel Shaw, with one hundred and sixty men and officers, and a pack train with ten days' rations, left Mill creek on the night of the 14th of July for Grand Ronde, where they arrived on the evening of the sixteenth. His official report thus stated the operations of his command:
"On the morning of the seventeenth,
leaving Major Blankenship of the Central, and Captain Miller of the Southern,
Battalion, assisted by Captain de Lacy, to take up the line of march for
the main valley, I proceeded ahead to reconnoiter, accompanied by Major
Maxon, Michael Marchmean, Captain John and Dr. Burns. After proceeding
for about five miles, we ascended a knoll in the valley, from where we
discovered dust arising along the timber of the river. I immediately sent
Major Maxon and Captain John forward to reconnoiter, and returned to hurry
up the command, which was not far distant. The command was instantly formed
in order. Captain Miller's company was in advance, supported by Maxon's,
Henness' and Powell's companies, leaving the pack train in charge of the
guard under Lieutenant Goodwin, with a detachment of Goff's company under
Lieutenant Wait, and Lieutenant Williams' company in reserve, with orders to follow on after the command. The whole company moved on quietly in this order until within half a mile of the Indian village, where we discovered that the pack train had moved to the left, down the Grand Ronde river. At this moment, a large body of warriors came forward, singing and whooping, one of them waving a white man's scalp on a pole. One of them signified a desire to speak. Whereupon I sent Captain John to meet him, and formed the command in line of battle. When Captain John came up to the Indians, they cried out to one another to shoot him. Whereupon he retreated to the command; and I ordered the four companies to charge.
"The design of the enemy evidently was to draw us into the brush along the river, where, form our exposed position, they would have the advantage, they no doubt having placed an ambush there. To avoid this, I charged down the river towards the pack train. The warriors then split, part going across the river, and part down towards the pack train. These we soon overtook and engaged. The charge was vigorous and so well sustained that they were broken, dispersed and slain before us. After a short time, I sent Captain Miller to the left, and Major Maxon to the right, the latter to cross the stream and cut them off from a point near which a large body of warriors had collected, apparently to fight; while I moved forward with the commands of Captain Henness and Lieutenant Powell to attack them in front.
"The major could not cross the river; and, on our moving forward, the enemy fled after firing a few guns, part taking to the left, and part continuing forward. Those who took to the left fell in with Captain Miller's company, who killed five on the spot; and the rest were not less successful in the pursuit, which was continued to the crossing of the river, where the enemy had taken a stand to defend the ford. Being here rejoined by Captain Miller, and by Lieutenant Curtis with part of Maxon's company, we fired a volley; and I ordered a charge across the river, which was gallantly executed. In doing this, private Shirley Ensign, of Henness' company, who was in the front, was wounded in the face. Several of the enemy were killed at this point. We continued the pursuit until the enemy had reached the rocky cañons leading towards Powder river, and had commenced scattering in every direction, when, finding that I had but five men with me, and that the rest of the command were scattered in the rear, most of the horses being completely exhausted, I called a halt and fell back, calculating to remount the men on the captured horses, and to continue the pursuit after night.
"I found the pack train, guard and reserve encamped on a small creek not far from the crossing, as I had previously ordered them to do, and learned that a body of the enemy had followed them up all day, had annoyed them, but inflicted no damage beyond capturing many of the animals which we had taken in the charge and left behind.
"I learned, also, that Major
Maxon had crossed the river with a small party, that he was engaged with
the enemy, and wanted assistance. I immediately dispatched a detachment
under Lieutenants Williams and Wait, sending the man who brought the information
back with them as a guide. They returned after dark without finding the
major, but brought in one of his men, whom they found in the brush, and
who stated that one of the major's men had been killed, and that the last
he saw of them they were fighting with the Indians. At daylight, I sent
out Captain Miller with seventy men, who scouted around the whole valley,
without finding him, but who, unfortunately, had one man killed and another
wounded while pursuing some Indians. I resolved to move camp next day to
the head of the valley, where the emigrant trail crosses it, and continue
the
search until we became certain of their fate. The same evening, I took sixty men under Captain Henness, and struck upon the mountain and crossed the heads of the cañons to see if I could not strike his trail. Finding no sign, I returned to the place where the major had last been seen, and there made search in different directions, and finally found the body of one of the men (Tooley), and where the major had encamped in the brush. From other signs, it became evident to me that the major had returned to the post by the same trail he had first entered the valley.
"Being nearly out of provisions, and unable to follow the Indians from this delay, I concluded to return to camp, and recruit for another expedition in conjunction with Captain Goff, who had, I presumed, returned from his expedition to John Day's river.
"I should have mentioned previously, that in the charge the command captured and afterwards destroyed one hundred and fifty horse-loads of lacamas, dried beef, tents, some flour, coffee, sugar and about one hundred pounds of ammunition and a great quantity of tools and kitchen-ware. We took also about two hundred horses, most of which were shot, there being but about one hundred serviceable animals.
"There were present on the ground from what I saw, and from information received from two squaws taken prisoners, about three hundred warriors of the Cayuse, Walla Walla, Umatilla, Tyh, John Day and Des Chutes tribes, commanded by the following chiefs: Stock Whitley, Sim-mis-tas-tas, Des Chutes, Tyh, Chick-iah, Plyon, Wic-e-cai, Wat-ah-stuar-tih, Win-imi-swoot, Tah-kin, Cayuse, the son of Peu-peu-mox-mox, Walla Wallam, and other chiefs of less note.
"The whole command, officers and men, behaved well. The enemy were run on the gallop for fifteen miles; and most of those who fell were shot with the revolver. It is impossible to state how many of the enemy were killed. Twenty-seven bodies were counted by one individual; and many others we know to have fallen and been left, but who were so scattered about that it was impossible to count them. When to these we add those killed by Major Maxon's command on the other side of the river, we may safely conclude that at least forty of the enemy were slain, and that many went off wounded. When we left the valley, there was not an Indian in it; and all the signs went to show that they had gone a great distance from it.
"On the twenty-first, we left the valley by the emigrant road, and commenced our return to camp. During the night, Lieutenant Hunter of the Washington Territory Volunteers came into camp with an express from Captain Goff. I learned, to my surprise, that the captain and Major Layton had seen Indians on John Day's river, had followed them over to the head of Burnt river, and had had a fight with them in which Lieutenant Eustus and one private were killed, and some seven Indians. They were shaping their course for the Grand Ronde valley, and had sent for provisions and fresh horses. I immediately sent Lieutenant Williams back with all my spare provisions and horses, and continued my march. On Wild Horse creek, I came across Mr. Files, a pack master, who had been left in camp, and who informed me, to my extreme satisfaction, that Major Maxon and his command had arrived safe in camp, and were then near us with provisions and ammunition. These I sent on immediately to Captain Goff.
"I learned that Major Maxon had
been attacked in the valley by a large force of Indians on the day of the
fight, but had gained the brush and killed many of them; that at night
he tried to find our camp, and, hearing a noise like a child crying, probably
one of the captured squaws, had concluded that my command had gone on to
Powder river, and that the Indians had returned to the valley by another
cañon. He moved his position that
night, and the next day saw the scout looking for him, but in the distance though he was one of a band of Indians hunting his trail. Conceiving himself cut-off from the command, he thought it best to return to this camp, thinking that we would be on our way back to Grand Ronde with provisions and ammunition. Surgeon's report of killed and wounded in the engagement on Burnt river and the Grand Ronde on the 15th and 16th of July, 1856: Lieutenant Eustus, Company N, Killed, residence Luckiamute, O.T.; Daniel Smith, Company K, killed, residence French Prairie, Oregon; James Cheney, Company K, wounded in the thigh slightly, residence Oregon; Wm. F. Tooley, Company A, killed, residence Cape Horn Mountain; Wm. Irven, Company A, killed, residence Vancouver, W.T.; Wm. Holmes, Company K, killed, residence Thurston county, W.T.; Thomas Como, Company A, dangerously wounded, residence Vancouver, W.T.; Shirley Ensign, Company C, wounded in the nose and cheek; Wm. Downy, Company D, slightly wounded in the knee with an arrow; T.N. Lilley, Company J, forearm fractured and head cut by an Indian with an empty gun.
This was the last action of the
volunteers before their final disbanding, which occurred on the 3d of October,
1856.