, 1856-01-11
From the Oregon Standard
Particulars Of the Fight at Walla Walla.

From the Oregon Standard.
ParllculerS OF the Fight at Walla Walla.
ave took up our line of march from
Henrietta on the night of Dec. Sd. The
Co.'s: object in making a night march was
to take the Indians on surprise, as VIC cx.
pcctcd from every indication to find tn c
Indians at or near fort Walla Walla, in a
fortified position. We marched all night
and until - a. NJ. the following day, when
we came within p miles of the fort. We
were ordered to encamp, spy party hav,
ing been sent ahead to discover whether
the Indians were occupying the fort or not
On arriving there they found that the In
dians had just left, having pillaged the fort
Of all the goods. While the spies were
there they discovered party of Indians
across the river in the act of carrying of a
large amount of plunder, which lay on the
opposite side Of the river. The Col. and
several of the other officers went down and
passed the night at the fort. Morning
came and they still discovered the Indians
on the opposite side, and they came down
to the waters edge when the volunteers
commenced fire on them, the Indians re,
turning the compliment. One Indian was
killed in the fight. While we were making
preparations to cross the river, an express
came from camp, reporting large force Of
indians making towards our camp, as they
supposed to attack the camp. We were
immediately ordered to camp On arriv-
ing at camp we found tho Indians had all
left. They had come down, 80 or 40 in
number, near camp and fred at one Of my
men. who was ont on horse guard. We
pursued them ten miles, but could not get
near them. On the morning of the Sth
Dec, Col. Kelly took 200 men and started
in pursuit of the Indians, they having gone
in the direction Of Touchet, only taking one
days rntions. Maj. Chinn, with $50, to-
gcthcr with the provision train, was to
march to the mouth Of the Tonchet, where
they were to pcnain until we came up
We followed fhe trail across to the nearest
point on the Touchet, which was some ten
miles above the mouth. When we struck
the river we found the Indians had been
encamped there, and from appearances we
supposed they had left the day previous.
We still pursued on their trail which led
up the creek. After travelling one mile.
and while the Col. ,had ordered o halt, to
consult with his officers as 10 the best
course to pursue, and while counselling, to
our great surprise we saw an Indian riding
towards us, bearing flag, Of truce, and
who should it be but Peu;peu-mox-mox
himself. We awaited his arrival When
he came up he plead for peace, saying that
he had not stolen anything, had killed no
person, and asked whyzw had come to
fight him. He said if wanted to fight, the
Cayuses werc ready to accommodate US ;
but we knew the old for too well to listen
to such talk He wanted us 10 go and en-
camp near his camp, which he said was; but
q short distance, and that he would talk
the next day but the Col. wns too smart
for tho old RASCAL, so he told him that he
must stop withus,, and the next morning
he would march up to his camp and have
talk. Morning came and We started for
his camp; travelling about miles we came
to where he said his camp was; but we
found the camp deserted, ), taking all their
I.plunder with them. The hills were cover
ed with his warriors but they would not
come to our camp. The Col. told Peu-peu.
mox- -mox that If his people would come
and give up their arms, he would then
make peace with them, but they refused,
and we could not get them near camp
Peu-peu-mox-mox here acknowledged to
stealing the plunder at fort Walla Walla,
and the burning Of houses We at, once
detected the trap he had laid for us, which
was to get us into canyon which we had
to pass through, when he would make an
attack on us. The, Col. told Peu-peu-mox-
mox that he was going to Whitman valley
to establish camp and that he must 60
with us, and that lie would SIND for all the
different chiefs to come in and that they
would talk and if they did not wish to fight
and wished peace that he would not fight
them but wish to be friendly with all good
Indians. We marched on the 9th to where
the pack train was encamped, where we
stopped for the night. In the morning we
were visited by 200 Indians, among whom
was Stock Whitley. He sent word to
Col. Kelly that he must not move camp;
that lie wanted"to have talk, but the
Col. sent word to them that he would move
his command to where he could get good
camp and would then talk with them
We saddled up and had not marched more
than a mile when the Indians fired upon
US; We made charge on them, when they
gave way. We pursued them fighting all
tile way until they made a stand, about ten
miles from the place where the fight com.
menced. Here the Indians made q bold
stand and fought US all day. ( Dec, 7tEs)
/ think they numbered about 600, They
fought bravely; some of them meeting our
men face to face, and one of them, was klll,
ed by Henry Watson with the brisk Of hls
gun. The Indian was aiming to stab Wat
son with a knife. There was q great many
Indians killedez2A first day. The battle
ceased ut dark, M Indians being driven
from the field. SEhe next morning they
commenced the fight at daylight and q
hot fire was kept up all day on both sides
the Indians holding their ground well; but
they could not shoot with our boys. They
seemed to be armed principally with Hud
sons bay muskets, but they killed OF
wounded some Of our men every day
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