East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-12-09

Walla wslla which Nas fought on
Ihe 7'h, Sth. 9'H ana 10th 9t Decem-
bcl, 1855, between something over
1000 Indians and four companies OF
The Oregon Mounted volunteers
The following account of the four
days battle is written for the Walla
walla Union by G. w. Miller who
Was private in Company NJ and par
sicipated in the engagements:
Prelude to Battle.
In accordance with the plans OF
George l. Curry, governor of the ter
ritory of oregon, general concen-
tration of troops were ordered to
Fort Walla Walla, now called Wallu-
h
At The Dalles November 70. 1855,
Major Mark A. Chinn with Captain
IAyton's Company II, Captain Huma-
sons Company r and Captain Mum
sons Company l took up their line
Of March to Fort walla Walla; push
ing forward they reached Welles'
Springs on the nth inst
That night a courier came with a
dispatch from Narclssa Raymond
stating that Peu Peu Mox Mox had
sent a large force of his warriors to
watch the movements of the volun-
teers, and that he had taken Fort
Walla Walla with 1000 warriors sta
toned at the most advantageous po-
sitions around the fort, and advised
Major Chlnn to await reinforcements,
Believing his force of $50 men were
not sufficient to attack such large
force OF warriors as were concen-
trated at Fort walla Walla.
Fort Henrietta,
This information determined Major
Chinn to abandon the attempt OF
reaching that place until reinforce
ments could be obtained from The
DaIles, for which dispatch was sent
next day. Under these circumstances
he pushed forward to the Umatilla
ade 100 feet square with two bas-
lions of round logs on two OF the an
sies and called 1t Fort Henrietta, in
honor of Major Hallers wife.
November 81 Major Chinn sent an
ether courier to The Dalles. asking
for two companies of volunteers and
artillery to assist him in moving upon
Fort Walla Walla. On November 81
Captain Cornoyer arrived at Fort
Henrietta with Company K, and on
the 29th Captain Wilson with Com
pany A. and Captain Bennett with
Company F, accompanied by Lieu
tenant Colonel Kelly, reached this
place and took command of the
forces at the front. .
Colonel Kelly here learned that
the Indians were in full possession of
vicinity. He at once commenced act
i've operations to get his forces In
readiness. and at sundown on Decem-
ber the command moved out from
Fort Henrietta. with colors flying and
the boys all in glee for an affray
hoping to surprise the enemy at day
break the next morning.
But Incidental delays caused by a
heavy rain. commencing at dusk and
continuing until late next morning
prevented the troops from reaching
Fort walla Walla till late in the
forenoon, finding the fort pillaged
defaced, deserted and everything OF
value carried away.
Locating the Indians.
The volunteers remained there tc
reconnoiter until the morning of De
cember 5. when Colonel Kelly witt
200 men without baggage or rations
marched to the Touchet river, thence
up that river to the canyon, to finC
out if possible the location of the In
dams. Major Chinn with the balance
OF the command-150 men-and thu
baggage we're ordered to the mouti
OF the Touchet, there to await order
from the main army.
Colonel Kelly, after reaching tn
foot of the canyon, sent scouts In ad
vance to look out for prowling band
OF Indians. After reaching poln
where the hills on either-,si of
deep canyon shut out the surround
ing view the advance guard espied
party Of six Indians in their imme
dIate front, advancing toward them.
In an instant they were covere
by the guns of the guard and ordere
to halt. and one of the party, carryin
a FLAG Of truce, proved to be Pc
Peu Mox Mox. A parley ensued. bu
Il was soon discovered that larg
body of indians were coming fror
the direction from which the chile
had come. A signal was given an
the advancing party halted, every on
s,fn hxr h
horse.
Farley With Chief.
Then the old chief asked If Natha
oIney, the Irdian agent. was wit
them. Eeing told he was, he e'
pressed a desire to see him. A me-
senger was sent back to report wh'
had transrired at the front. The vo
unteers were halted on the hillsit
in plain view OF the flag Of true
while Colonel Kelly and Agent Olne
with John McBain as interprete
went forward to meet the great Wal
walla chief When they met PC
Peu Mox Mox, in an insolent manne
demanded why an armed force h;
come to invade his country.
Colonel Kelly, answering, said
had come TO chastise him and his pc
pie for wrongs they had committe
The chief talked about peace negoti
lions, saying he had committed
wrongs, and that he desired to live
peace with ;he whites. But Color
Kelly told him OF the pillaging al
destroying Fort Walla Walla, t
reIzin- ~ government property the