, 1856-05-02
OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON TERRITORY FRIDAY MAY q 1856

response to the requisition of Maj. Rains
1t is also decisive in the contradiction of
the su5joined quotation from Gen Wools
very extraordinary letter: ....
Nor was there any circumstance to
justify Gov, Curry in sending his troops
from Oregon to Washington Territory to
make war on the Walla-walas from which
the Oregonians had no danger whatever to
apprehend" ...
1 do not deem it essential to dwell upon
the want of geographical knowledge here
displayed. The Walla-wallas and their al
lies have given unmistakable signs of their
hostility in the smouldering ruins of the
settlers homes, aud by their occupation Of
the stronghOldS of the country. Prior
even to the 10th of October, the Indian
agent had ordered out all the American
settlers from among them. 1t had been
deemed privilege for Americans to travel
through their country without being sub
jected to indignity and peril, The immi-
gra9ts to this Territory for several years
had complained Of their insolence and rob
berries. Ever since the war waged upon
them by the Provisional Government, for
the Wailatpu (Whitman) massacre, had
the Cayuses, large majority Of them at
least, manifested an uufriendly spirit to-
wards Americans, , .....a-
On the 9th of October last, a Vigilant
officer of the efficient 4th Infantry, thus
addressed me-: 81 have reliable inforua.
ton that the Walla-walla. Indians are de-
termined 10 murder Gov. Stevens and his
party, if they can possibly do SO. Their
chief ought to DO arrested at once" The
chief here alluded to is Peu-pee-mox-mox );
for whose death, In order, apparently, to
traduce my fellow-ctizens the Volunteers
of the LIST Regiment, disparage their SER
vices aud rcproach their humanity, it has
suited the aims of Gen. Wool to affect a
generous sympathy. have to state that
tho death Of this chief occurred with the
strietest usage of civilized warfare. The,
four days battle of Walla-walla is now of
record. The reports of the officers engaged
in that brilliant affair, have been already
transmitted. History will do those brave
men justice upon whom aspersiou is sought
to be cast. Prejudice and error live but a
season. The slembic of time will preserve
the indestructible truth. 1t was no un-
timely and unproductiVe expedition that
vanquished powerful enemy and opened
the way for a safe return of Governor
Stevens and his party from the Blackfoot
country. e- no r,duf saf ..
As indicated in my last communication,
the Volunteers who constitute 5the First
Regiment in service on the Northern From
tier, are, presume, by this time, on their
return march, supposing that the U. S.
troops have advanced to position outside
the settlements in the Indian country 'a
I have to express my Acknowledgements
for the promptitude with which the 9th
Infantry were dispatched by the War De-
-partment, and ny regret that such extra,
ordinary expedition should have been rem
dered abOrtive through the military mis-
management Of Gen. WOOL srisha 20.
The most recent information touching
the operations Of the volunteer forces, will
be the subject Of another communication.
guHI am, very respectfully shra s5.s
7,ll yIiaJo Your o6ed't servant, r is,
,1slF ii ,3.l GEO. l.. CURRY, ao
..a .eg vgllm03 GOperR6r of Oregon.