WASH ARNG PAM 870-1-2 WASH ANG PAM 210-1-2 WASHINGTON NATIONAL GUARD PAMPHLET THE OFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL GUARD VOLUME 2 WASHINGTON TERRITORIAL MILITIA IN THE INDIAN WARS OF 1855-56 HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DEPARTMENT STATE OF WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL CAMP MURRAY, TACOMA 33, WASHINGTON THIS VOLUME IS A TRUE COPY THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT ROSTERS HEREIN HAVE BEEN REVISED BUT ONLY TO PUT EACH UNIT WHOLLY ON A SINGLE PAGE AND TO ALPHABETIZE THE PERSONNEL THEREIN DIGITIZED VERSION CREATED BY WASHINGTON NATIONAL GUARD STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY VOLUME 2 WASHINGTON TERRITORIAL MILITIA IN THE INDIAN WARS OF 1855 - 56 CHAPTER PAGE I FIRST PHASE OF THE INDIAN WARS OF 1855 - 56 .............................................. 1 II SECOND PHASE OF THE INDIAN WARS OF 1855 - 56 .......................................19 III PERSONNEL, SUPPLY, MISCELLANEOUS, INDIAN WARS OF 1855 - 56 ......84 i CHAPTER I FIRST PHASE OF THE INDIAN WARS OF 1855-56 Much has been written of the Indian wars of 1855-56 by historians of the past, generally in connection with histories of the State or a particular county or area thereof. Some of it was written from source documents, others from hearsay or newspaper accounts. Much of what has been written is biased for or against major participants. Therefore, inasmuch as most of the source documents are now available to this Department, it would appear that the best way to tell the true story of what happened is to use the more important documents dealing with the actual operations. Therefore, that which follows hereinafter has been selected from several thousand and arranged in chronological order to tell the true story of what actually happened, during this period: Executive Office, Territory of Washington Olympia, Sept. 22, 1855 Major G. J. Rains, Columbia Barracks, W. T. Sir: I am informed by Col. J. P. Anderson, who has just returned from the Colville mines, that some outrages have been committed by the Yakima Indians upon the miners passing through their country. One man named Mattice, a resident of this place, is known by positive Indian testimony to have been murdered by four Indians of the band called "Isle de Pierre". Seven other individuals, who crossed the Nachess Pass, are reported by the Indians also to have been killed. These murders have taken place upon straggling parties of one, two or three, and by the Yakima tribe and its branches. A son of Owhi, one of the principal chiefs of the tribe, is implicated in them. In addition to this, some twenty or thirty persons are known to have left this vicinity, in parties from two to three, by the same route, and who are in danger of sharing the same fate. Under these circumstances I would suggest that a detachment of soldiers, sufficiently strong, should be dispatched at once through the Yakima country as far as where the trail across the Nachess leaves for Colville, the object of which would be to discover the perpetrators of the murder of Mattice, to ascertain if the other murders had been committed, and to punish the guilty parties, and lastly, to furnish protection to the remaining portion of our citizens who are returning home. These reports may turn out to be without foundation. You, however, being on the more traveled route, will have earlier information than we can have here. Gov. Stevens is expected to be in Spokane country during the present month, and a detachment of soldiers may be of assistance to him in furthering the public service he is at present engaged in. I deem it my duty to call your attention to the facts as reported to me. I have the honor, etc., C. H. MASON Acting Gov., W. T. HEADQUARTERS, COLUMBIA RIVER & PUGET SOUND DEPT. Fort Vancouver, Sept. 26, 1855 C. H. MASON, ESQ., Acting Gov. of W.T. Sir: - I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 22nd instant, and in reply, beg leave to state that, antecedently, I had obtained Col. J. P. Anderson's information from another source, and forthwith forwarded an order to Lieut. Day, of the artillery (supposed to be at McKay's on the Umatilla River, with forty-four mounted men) to inquire into the facts, with remarks - "It is thought that at Walla Walla, or Brooks and Bumford's place, there will be more facilities for information, if so, proceed there, and further if necessary, as to the move in that direction for this purpose will have a good effect". 1 "The only real chiefs among the Indians whose influence is to be dreaded, in that region, are Peu peu mox mox of the Walla Wallas, and Kamiakin of the Yakimas, who can be communicated with at the first named place." This order was sent to the commanding officer at Fort Dalles to forward as soon as practicable, and we look for further information from Mr. Bolen, understood to be enroute among the Indians for this place. I am, sire, very respectfully, etc, G. J. RAINES Major, 4th Infantry, Commanding Executive Office, Washington Terr., Olympia, Sept. 26, 1855 Major G. J. Raines, USA, Fort Vancouver, W.T. Sir: - Since my communication of the 22nd instant, I have received additional information of outrages committed by Yakima Indians. On the 14th of September, two men, named Walker and Jameson, from Seattle, were shot dead from an ambush near the point where the Nachess trail crosses the Yakima, some thirty miles above the Altanam Mission. In addition to this, from all previous circumstances, there is a strong probability of nine others having met similar fate by the same hands. The tribe and its kindred branches having entered into treaty stipulations with the United States to preserve amity with all American citizens, and in defiance of such obligations, having taken the first opportunity to cut off straggling parties, I immediately, upon the receipt of the last information, made a requisition upon Captain Maloney, commanding Fort Steilacoom, for a detachment of the troops under his command, to proceed as soon as possible to the point in question, both to punish the Yakima tribe, and to furnish protection to such persons as may be traveling through the country. This requisition has been complied with, and on Thursday (Sept 27th) a detachment of forty men, with forty days provisions, will start, under the command of Lieut. W. A. Slaughter. In order more fully to carry out the objects intended, and to effect permanent results, I have to request that the suggestion in my letter of Sept. 22nd be carried out, and that a detachment of troops be sent either from Vancouver or the Dalles, as soon as practicable, to cooperate with those sent from Steilacoom. I am, very truly, etc, C. H. MASON Actg Gov, W.T. HEADQUARTERS, COLUMBIA RIVER & PUGET SOUND DEPT Fort Vancouver, W.T., Sept. 29, 1855 HIS EXCELLENCY, C. H. MASON Acting Governor, W.T. Governor: - Your letter by Mr. Pearson I have the honor to acknowledge, and have ordered into the field a company of eighty four men from Fort Dalles, O. T., all mounted, and with provisions on pack mules for one month, to proceed without delay and sweep through the Yakima country to the points you indicated, cooperating with the force from Steilacoom; also to inquire into the safety of Agent Bolen, who has now been absent an unusual length of time; a respectful attention to whose views is enjoined - if alive - for there are grounds to fear otherwise. I shall approve of the action of the commanding officer at Fort Steilacoom in the premises, and only regret that the forty men under Lieut. Slaughter, were not a Full company. I have also located an officer and twenty men at the Cascades. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. J. RAINES Major, 4th Infantry, Commanding 2 HEADQUARTERS COLUMBIA RIVER AND PUGET SOUND DEPT Fort Vancouver, October 9th, 1855 SIR: - Information has been received this day from Major G. O. Haller, who was ordered out into Yakima country. He states that he met the enemy about 3 P. M. on the 6th instant, and fought them skirmishing for some time. Finally charging them, he drove them out of the brush. From the nature of the country he was obliged to take possession of the heights surrounding the Pisco River for the night. He was surrounded, and in that position, has called for reinforcement. All the disposable force in the district will at once take the field, and I have the honor to make a requisition upon you for two companies of volunteers to take the field the earliest possible moment. The composition of these companies to be as follows: One Captain, one First Lieutenant and one Second Lieutenant, two musicians, four Sergeants, four Corporals and seventy four privates. The greatest exertions should be made to raise and equip these companies at once. Orders have been sent to Captain Maloney to take the field with all his disposable force, and it is expected that the regulars and volunteers will act in concert. As soon as the first company is raised the command of regulars and volunteers should take the field without waiting for the other company. The latter company can start out as soon as raised and equipped. I am sir, etc, G. J. RAINES Major, 4th Infantry, Commanding CASCADES, WASHINGTON TERR. Oct. 9, 1855 Actg Gov Mason Olympia, W.T. Dear Sir: Herewith I enclose a letter* from Special Agent B. F. Shaw stating the facts of Major Haller and his command being surrounded by Indians and cut off from wood and water and that all the force that can be sent in the field is absolutely necessary for his preservation.