Oregon Mounted Volunteers
The Oregon Mounted Volunteers was a military regiment recruited in the U.S. state of Oregon during the Yakima War. In November 1855, Major Mark Chinn left The Dalles and assembled 6 companies of Mounted Volunteers to turn against the Walla Walla people. Major Chinn and the Mounted Volunteers set base in Fort Henrietta where they built a stockade. Control of the Mounted Volunteers was given to Lieutenant Colonel James Kelly. Listings. Gabriel J. Rains, who had just 350 federal troops under his immediate command, urgently appealed to Acting Governor Charles Mason for military aid, writing that The  first company of the regiment was mustered under the command of Colonel James W. Nesmith in October 1855 and included Company "F", "H", and "A". In December 1855 a regiment was mustered under the command of Colonel James E. Kelly and included Company "E" and Company "G". Company "C" was later recruited and commanded by Colonel Thomas R. Cornelius in January 1856. Gear. The Oregon Mountain Volunteers were expected to furnish their own horse, arms, and equipment, if possible. There has been no official data describing the uniform that the command wore: clothes of everyday usage or if they were  supplied with old US Army regular uniforms. One volunteer identified as 55ER wrote that Battle of Walla Walla. Six companies of the Oregon Mounted Volunteers, under Lt. Col. James Kelley, crossed into Frenchtown in the Walla Walla Valley December 7, 1855, skirmishing with the tribes for three days ending on December 11, 1855, and, eventually, capturing Piupiumaksmaks and several other chiefs. It turned out to be the longest battle fought during the Yakima War. Fighting alongside the Walla Walla were members of several different tribes, such as the Cayuse, Palouse and Yakima. The eastern tribes which had been mostly non -participant in the war were now firmly involved in the conflict.