Preliminaries before Battle

The events of Colonel Wright's expedition against the Indians who opposed the advance of Colonel Steptoe are set forth in detail and at length in his own reports and letters. These appear in full in the following pages with the interjection of such information from other sources as the author deems expedient for the purpose of rendering the narrative complete. Preceding the reports of the expedition is also the pertinent correspondence leading up thereto. Because of the exactness and completeness of detail which characterize these reports, written from the field, as they were, during the progress of the campaign, their value as historical matter could hardly be im proved upon; therefore no apology is offered for their appearance in this volume.

In order to be in closer touch with operations which were decided to be necessary for the subjugation of the northern Indians, General Clarke, after receiving full intelligence of Colonel Steptoe's defeat, proceeded to Vancouver, Washington Territory. In the meantime it had come to his knowledge that the Hudson Bay Company's pack train at Colville, consisting of some two hundred horses, was about to start for Fort Hope to bring in the year's supplies, and that it was intended to bring also about two thousand pounds of powder with a proportionate quantity of ball. It had previously been the custom of the company's agent at Fort Colville to barter ammunition to the Indians, thereby securing peltry not only in the immediate trade, but equipping the Indians for further exploitation among the fur-bearing animals of the region. In like manner arms were also bartered, and, afterward, many of the guns captured from the Indians by Colonel Wright's force proved to be of English manufacture.

General Clarke had learned also, from Dr. Perkins, who was at Colville for a short time after Colonel Steptoe's engagement, that a Coeur d'Alene chief (supposed to have been Seltice), with eight or ten of his tribesmen, had arrived at Colville mounted upon American horses and having in their possession a number of mules which they were offering for sale. These Indians were much elated over their success, declaring that the soldiers were women and that they could whip any number of them that might be brought into their country. One of them exultingly waved the sword of Lieutenant Gaston in Perkins' face, while Captain Taylor's saddle, still bearing the stains of his blood, was strode by another.

General Clarke at once took these matters up with James A. Graham, chief trader of the Hudson Bay Company at Vancouver, and called his attention to the breach of national comity 'which the furnishing of ammunition to the hostile Indians would constitute the company being composed of British subjects, operating in United States territory under an agreement and also of the light in which the purchasing of chattels taken unlawfully from the army might be held.

Graham immediately instructed George Blenkinsop, the company's agent at Colville, to deliver to the proper authority all horses, mules and goods purchased from the Indians, which had been the property of the United States, and to make no more such purchases, and to suspend the trade in ammunition at Colville until the prohibition im posed on account of the present hostile state of the Indians should be removed. He directed also that any ammunition designed to be brought in from Fort Hope or elsewhere, be stored at Thompson's river in care of the company's agent at that point.

Father Congiato advised General Clarke of the repentant attitude of some of the leading Coeur d'Alenes, as explained to him by Father Joset, and appeared quite anxious that further shedding of blood might, if possible, be avoided. Father Congiato was willing to return to the Indians with Father Joset and with the latter put forth his best endeavors to bring about a pacification. General Clarke instructed the priests to say to the chiefs that if they desired peace, they must come to him, bring the things they had taken from the soldiers, give up those members of their tribe who were guilty of inciting the attack on Colonel Steptoe, drive from their midst members of other tribes and bands who insisted on war with the soldiers, permit them to hide among their tribe no more, and to offer no further molestation to citizens or

Captain John Mullan

soldiers passing peacefully through their country; that when they did this they could have peace.

The two priests journeyed to the Coeur d'Alenes, where they attempted to carry out the mission assigned them. They labored diligently, using all the powers of persuasion and diplomacy at their command, but without success. The fol lowing letters, each from a chief engaged in the fight with Steptoe, were forwarded to General Clarke by Father Congiato. In these letters are represented the sentiments with which the priests contended and which were afterward abandoned by the Indians through the terms of their complete subjection to Colonel Wright.

"The practice of the Indians is different from what you think; when they want to make peace, when they want to cease hostilities, they bury the dead and talk and live again on good terms. They don't speak of more blood. I speak sincerely. I, Saulotken, let us finish the war; my language shall not be twofold; no, I speak from the heart. If you disapprove my words you may despise them. I speak the truth; I, Indian; I don't want to fight you. You are at liberty to kill me, but I will not deliver my neighbors. If it should be my practice, I would do according to it, and deliver them. But that's a practice of your own. Those Indians who are yet at peace, are biting me with their words, and cause me to get angry. Should they hold their peace, my heart would already be good again. On account of the gold, may be there shall be no end of hostility. If you want peace, let peace be made with all Indians. When you know my words, if you say well, that's finished. I will be glad to, but my land I shall not give up. Until now, I was used to go to war against the Blackfeet and the Crows; but now I won't move from my country.

Saulotken

P. S. One of my people went of his own ac cord to Walla Walla; Omatchen is his name. I would like to know what he told you."

"I feel unwilling to give you up my three brothers, for I think though we fought, I won't begin to make peace. I want you to begin if you want to make peace; come in my country. I don't believe there is difference between us two in the hostilities; if you want to deceive me, we won't have peace; if you don't want to deceive me, I will see you. If I see you, I will be glad. I desire to see you; when I see you, I don't think it will be difficult to make peace, to avoid more bloodshed. You killed three of my relations; it weighs heavy on my heart; I don't like you to speak any more of the things you have abandoned. It was by the deceit of other Indians that I have lost my relatives, and that you lost some of your people. Though you think that I am poor, I do not think so. If you want to have peace, peace must be made with all the Indians of the country. It is not for your goods' sake that I came to hostilities. As long as I live I don't want you to take possession of my country. I don't believe the words you sent me, but I don't set great value on the goods you have abandoned. If you come further than the place where we fought, then I will disbelieve you.

My heart is made anew bad, for the news I receive. Tell your friends the Lager's band (Nez Perces) to be quiet; if you come with a good mind, let none of them be along. I want to' have a good talk with the soldiers, but I can't when they are along; I don't want to hear any more of their lies. Your soldiers, you have good chiefs; we have some too; I hope that on both sides they will be unwilling of more bloodshed, and that things will come to a good understanding. I have no mind to deceive you. When I shall hear you, I will tell you the truth, and throw away my bow and gun. Only when you come here, and you see me in want, you will be kind to me, and let me have means to kill my game. I wish to hear of you as soon as possible.

Melkapsi

"You, General Clarke, you are my friend. I am very much sorry for the battle which took place. I think that you have fought for nothing. The blood of your soldiers and of the Indians has been spilled. If there should have been a just cause of fighting, I would not regret it; though there should be killed on both sides, I would not be much sorry for it. Now, I am at a loss what to think of it, for you say, you white people, this is my country; you, American and English, claim the land, and the Indians, each on his side of the line you have drawn. Then you make a useless war with Indians; you cause trouble to the whites living hereabout, and you have nothing to gain from this war. Now I hear that somebody you, perhaps, General Clarke want to make peace. I would be very glad no enmity should be left. I, Indian, am unacquainted with your ways, as you with mine. When you meet me, you Americans, you are ignorant of the uses of the Indians. When you meet me, we walk friendly; we shake hands. Two years after you met me, you American, I heard words from white people, whence I concluded you wanted to kill me for my land. I did not believe it. Every year I heard the same. Now you arrived, you my friend, you, Stevens, in Whiteman valley (Walla Walla); you called the Indians to that place. I went there to listen to what should be said. You had a speech you, my friend Stevens, to the Indians. You spoke for the land of the Indians. You told them all what you should pay them for their land. I was much pleased when I heard how much you offered: annual money, houses, schools, blacksmiths, farms, &c. And then you said, all the Cayuses, Walla Walla, and Spokanes should emigrate to Layer's (Lawyer's) country; and from Colville and below all Indians should go and stay to Camayaken's country; and by saying so you broke the hearts of all the In dians; and, hearing that, I thought that you missed it. Should you have given the Indians time to think on it, and to tell you what portion of their land they wanted to give, it would have been right. Then the Indians got mad, and began to kill you whites. I was very sorry all the time. Then you began to war against the Indians. When you be gan this war, all the upper country was very quiet.

Then every year we heard something from the lower Indians. I told the people here about not to listen to such talk. The governor will come up; you will hear from his own mouth; then believe it. Now this spring I heard of the coming of Colonel Steptoe. I did my best to persuade my people not to shoot him. He goes to Colville, I said, to speak to the whites and to the Indians. We will go there and listen to what he shall say. They would not listen to me, but the boys shot at him; I was very sorry. When the fight was over, I was thinking all the time to make peace until I was told that Colonel Steptoe had said, 'I won't make peace now with the Coeur d'Alenes and Spokanes. I will first shoot them, (he said) and then, when they shall be very sorry, I will grant them peace.' Hearing that, I thought it was useless for me to try to make peace; and when I hear now what you say, what you write here to the Indians, there is one word which you won't do. Until now you never came to an understanding with these Indians to let them know your laws. You ask some to be delivered up. Poor Indians can't come to that. But withdraw this one word, and sure you will make peace. Then, calling a meeting of the chiefs, you will let them know your law, and the law being known, all those who shall continue to misbehave, red and white, may be hung. The Indians will have no objection to that.

I am very sorry the war has begun. Like the fire in a dry prairie, it will spread all over this country, until now so peaceful. I hear already from different parts rumors of other Indians ready to take in. Make peace, and then American soldiers may go about; we won't care. That's my own private opinion. Peace being made, it won't be difficult to come to a good understanding with these Indians. You, General Clarke, if you think proper to withdraw this word, peace will be easy. Please answer us, for we want it.

Garry

On receipt of Father Congiato's communication, with which the foregoing statements from the Indian chiefs were enclosed, General Clarke replied:

Headquarters Department of the Pacific,
Fort Vancouver, W. T.,
August 19, 1858

Reverend Sir:
Your letter of August 3 reached me last evening, (18th). I find therein with more regret than surprise the failure of your efforts, kindly made, to avert war and the ruin of the people among whom you have been long laboring.

I knew the conditions I imposed would be hard in the opinion of the Indians; they were nevertheless called for by the case, and less cannot be demanded or received.

I found it necessary to ask the Hudson's Bay Company to suspend all trade with the Indians in powder and ball; they have promptly complied and issued orders to that end; and also for the restoration of such public property as they have purchased from the Indians. Will you be so kind as to let this be known among the Indians. If it has no other good effect, it may prevent them from becoming hostile to the company, seeing they, in this, act on compulsion, not advice.
I must beg you to prevent the missions placed among the hostiles from giving them any ammunition until the return of peace.

The information you communicate of the peace ful and friendly disposition of the Flatheads and Pend Oreilles is cheering and most acceptable.

With sincere thanks, sir, for the efforts you have made in the cause of humanity, and an earnest wish that your visit to the Flatheads may confirm them in their present disposition, that your own mission may be successful, and your return in safety and health.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. S. Clarke, Colonel 6th Infantry, Brevet Brigadier General, Commanding. Rev. N. Congiato, S. J., or Rev. J. Joset, S. J., Coeur d'Alene Mission, Washington Territory."

In pursuance of orders from General Clarke, Colonel Wright mustered all the force that could be spared from Fort Dalles and on July 7th started for Fort Walla Walla. A large supply of rations and other army equipment was carried, part of which it was intended to store nearer the country upon which the expedition was to enter. By reason of the supply train, thus extensive, and the warm weather which prevailed at that time, the progress of the march was slow, twelve and one-half days being required to cover the distance between the two forts.

While Wright's force was encamped at Willow Creek, a point about half way between The Dalles and Walla Walla, Colonel Steptoe, Captain Kirk-ham and Lieutenant Davidson, with an escort of fifteen dragoons, passed on the way to Walla Walla. Colonel Steptoe was returning from, a trip to headquarters at Vancouver; Captain Kirkham was to attend Colonel Wright's expedition as assistant quartermaster, and Lieutenant Davidson had been ordered to take command of Lieutenant Gaston's company, which was still at Walla Walla. One of the important objects which it was de sired to have accomplished before Colonel Wright should start upon the campaign was that of entering into a treaty of peace and alliance with the strong and friendly disposed Nez Perces. Colonel Steptoe was entrusted by General Clarke with the duty of conducting the negotiations with this tribe, but apprehending from certain remarks he had heard from the Nez Perces that they supposed him to entertain different views from those held by Colonel Wright, and knowing, too, that any negotiations had with other tribes, or any portion of the Nez Perces met in the field during the campaign, would be had under the direction of Colonel Wright, Colonel Steptoe suggested the advisability of placing the matter of this treaty also in the hands of Colonel Wright. Accordingly, after calling together the principal men of the tribe, so far as they could be reached, Wright succeeded in having executed the following:

NOTE: I searched our own treaties and those of Kappler, and do not find this treaty listed. I believe this is the treaty Chief Joseph talks about that his father did not sign.

Treaty Of Peace And Friendship Between The United States And The Nez Perces Tribe.

Article 1. It is agreed that there shall be perpetual peace between the United States and the Nez Perces tribe.

Article 2. In the event of war between the United States and any other people whatever, the Nez Perces agree to aid the United States with men to the extent of their ability.

Article 3. In the event of war between the Nez Perces and any other tribe the United States agree to aid the Nez Perces with troops.

Article 4. When the Nez Perces take part with the United States in war they shall be furnished with such arms, ammunition, provisions, &c., as may be necessary.

Article 5. When the United States take part with the Nez Perces in war, they (the United States) will not require the Nez Perces to furnish anything to the troops unless paid for at a fair price.

Article 6. Should any misunderstanding arise hereafter between the troops and the Nez Perces, it shall be settled by their respective chiefs in friendly council.

Headquarters United States Troops
Camp in the Walla Walla valley
August 6, 1858

Alayana
Hates-e-mah-li-kan, his x mark
Te-pe-lat-tee-me-nay, his x mark
Tosepl, his x mark.
Tkotee, his x mark.
Quie-Quie-Nee-Mat, his x mark.
Hat-hat-hishe-e-sat, his x mark.
Three Feathers, his x mark.
Speaking Eagle, his x mark.
Wat-hat-tie-mat-hat-nat, his x mark.
Ne-he-list-hat-kol-so-men, his x mark.
He-ne-mat-ah-tu-ne-pan, his x mark.
Ick-he-hat-ite-e-mee-ham, his x mark.
We-ast-kat-shuck, his x mark.
Captain John, his x mark.
Sim-le-huste, his x mark.
Kosh-le-nuck-hat, his x mark.
Took-ta-le-mat-ham, his x mark.
Alat-lat-line-tah-kan, his x mark.
Nuste-nuke-ne-wat-ne-han, his x mark.
Wat-tah-ye-hat-hi-at-kim, his x mark.
Ko-lay-i-at-kim, his x mark.
Ko-yo-at-mat-ah-ham-skin, his x mark.
Yu-me-ite-e-pihe, his x mark.
Te-te-hu-nat, his x mark.
Richard, his x mark.
It-mut-last-te-ne-mat, his x mark.
Hin-net-mat-lust-la-wute, his x mark.
Ki-ye-ki-at-nast, his x mark.
Timothy, his x mark.
Mit-lat-ekin, his x mark.
Nat-lat-nat-lat-how-list, his x mark.
Jesse, his x mark.
Te-pe-li-at-hat-tie-me-pat, his x mark.
Wapt-last-tee-mat-hee-nat, his x mark.
Wat-hie-lat-stork-e-mat-hie, his x mark.
Mat-le&mat-lee-slat-stee-e-ne-mat, his x mark.
Itse-ee-hae-hat-wutre, his x mark.

G. Wright, Colonel 9th Infantry, Commanding.

Witnesses:
I. F. Hammond, Assistant Surgeon United States Army.
Jas. A. Hardie, Captain 3rd Artillery.
G. B. Dandy, 2nd Lieutenant 3rd Artillery.
John Mullan, 1st Lieutenant 2nd Artillery.
J. Howard, 2nd Lieutenant 3rd Artillery.
P. A. Owen, 1st Lieutenant 9th Infantry, Acting Assistant Adjutant General.

Headquarters Department of Pacific
Fort Vancouver,
August 13, 1858
Approved.
N. S. Clarke, Colonel 6th Infantry, Brevet Brigadier General, Commanding."

In 1877, nineteen years after the signing of this treaty, the first article therein was broken. During the summer of that year a large body of Nez Perces, under the leadership of Chief Joseph, waged bitter warfare against the whites, during the course of which a number of settlers were murdered and many of the regulars and volunteers were slain. A great many of the principal men and others of the tribe, however, refused to join in the hostilities. Among the latter were the little old Chief Timothy, Chief Lawyer, and others who signed the treaty.

The pursuit of the hostile Nez Perces by General Howard, who then commanded at Vancouver, the skillful retreat of Joseph, who in his movements displayed no small degree of genius, compelling the admiration of those versed in military tactics, his surrender to General Miles, near the Missouri river, in eastern Montana, after a flight of nearly six hundred miles, are all matters of history.

Chief Timothy was proud of his own record of friendly relationship with the whites, and his counsel to his people was ever to preserve a spirit of good feeling between the two races. He possessed an old flint-lock gun which, he said, was given to his father by the explorers, Lewis and Clark, and which he valued highly as an heirloom. He himself remembered the visit of the explorers, and in his declining years loved to recount the events which clustered around the coming and going of the first party of federal officials that ever traveled across the continent.

Colonel Wright did not accompany the column from The Dalles to Walla Walla, the command for that movement probably having been given to Captain Erasmus D. Keys of the Third artillery. The colonel, with a suitable escort, reached Walla Walla a few days after the arrival of the force.

Immediately after the arrival all arms of the command were put through rigorous drills which were continued daily by way of preparing for the exigencies of the northward movement. The Third artillery companies, with the exception of Major Wyse's company, drilled twice a day at light infantry tactics. Major Wyse practiced his company in the regular artillery drill, using mules for the mounted battery instead of horses, as had there to fore been the custom.

Some unusual interest was observable among the Indians who came and went around Walla Walla, and the reports which came to the fort through the friendly Nez Perces indicated that the war cloud was fast thickening in the north.

Having decided that everything pertaining to his command was in readiness for the march, Colonel Wright on the 3rd of August issued the following orders:

Orders No. 3.
Headquarters, Camp Near Fort Walla Walla,
Washington Territory,

August 3, 1858.

I. The artillery battalion and one company of dragoons, under command of Captain Keys, will march on the 7th instant.

II. The supply train will be sent forward with Captain Keys, and returned from Snake River, escorted by the dragoon company.

III. Assistant Surgeon Hammond will march with Captain Keys, and Assistant Surgeon Randolph with the 9th infantry.

IV. First Lieutenant Mullan, acting topographical engineer, will accompany Captain Keys.

Before marching, Captain Keys will receive writ ten instructions from the colonel commanding.

By order of Colonel Wright
P. A. OWEN, First Lieutenant 9th Infantry, A. A. A. G."

In accordance with these orders. Captain Keys started from Walla Walla on the morning of the 7th. His command consisted of one company of dragoons and six companies of artillery with two twelve-pounder howitzers and two six-pounder guns. He carried also, on pack mules and in wagons, thirty thousand rations. His destination was the mouth of the Tucanon, on Snake River, about sixty miles distant from Walla Walla.

During the night following the departure of Captain Keys, a party of Indians drove off thirty-six head of beef cattle belonging to the post. On the discovery of this theft, early in the morning, Lieutenant Gregg with his company of dragoons was ordered in pursuit of the Indians. At the same time an express was started after Captain Keys with orders directing that officer to send Lieutenant Davidson with his company of dragoons also after the marauders.

Davidson scouted over the country for thirty miles, discovering no sign of the Indians, and having reached a part of the country with which his guides were unfamiliar, he returned, arriving at camp late at night. Gregg was but little more fortunate in results. He struck the trail of the thieves leading in the direction of Snake River, and after following it until late in the day, he caught sight of the Indians as they were crossing to the opposite side of the river. His force was not strong enough to venture over, however, and he returned to the fort.

After encountering many difficulties, Captain Keys reached a point on the Tucanon about a mile from Snake River on August 10th. The Indians had burned the grass over a part of the way, and the march was pursued through clouds of dust. Much of the route traveled during the last two days was through a rough country, requiring the services of a party of men as pioneers in constructing a road. As it was, two of the wagons were overturned, but the damage reported on account of the misfortune was very slight.

Soon after arriving at the camping ground on the Tucanon, Captain Keys sent Lieutenant Mullan with a detachment of dragoons to look out a road to the river. Mullan proceeded down the Tucanon to its mouth and then followed down Snake River to a point opposite the mouth of the Palouse. On returning to camp he reported that a road would have to be cut through the brush along the Tu canon. On the morning of the nth, Lieutenants Morgan and Kip were detailed with a party of sixty men to cut out the road. As a precaution, pickets were stationed at the mouth of the creek. During the forenoon some Indians came across the river on a scouting trip. After having had some talk with the pickets, they returned to the opposite bank of the river, from whence they began firing. At the same time a party of mounted Indians joined them. Their fire was ineffective and a well-directed volley from the pickets caused the horsemen to wheel and skurry away and also scattered the party which had just crossed the river.

On this same day an incident occurred in which the intrepid Lieutenant John Mullan exhibited the rare mettle with which he was possessed. The incident is thus recorded by Lieutenant Kip: "Captain Keys, with a detachment of dragoons, having gone to Snake river to select a site for the fort, while there captured two Indians, who were left under the charge of a sergeant and three men. They had not marched, however, a hundred yards, when the Indians broke from them and sprang into the river. The party fired at them without effect, as they were concealed by the growth of willows on the banks, which is dense and impenetrable, when Lieutenant Mullan dashed into the river to his waist, to secure one of whom he caught sight. The Indian was an exceedingly athletic savage, the sight of whose pro portions would have tempered most persons' valor with discretion. But my gallant friend is not one to calculate odds in beginning a fight. The Indian dived as the lieutenant fired at him, and came up with some heavy stones, which, hurled at his antagonist, bruised him severely. He then seized Lieutenant Mullan's pistol, which had got thoroughly wet, and the struggle commenced in good earnest, grappling each other, now under water, now above. It might have fared badly with. my spirited companion, but the Indian, stepping into a hole, got beyond his depth and was obliged to relinquish his hold, when he made off and escaped to the other side."

The road was finished about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and the command was moved down to and encamped on the river.

Without delay, the erection of a fort was begun. The site selected was at the mouth of the Tucanon. High bluffs stood back and on either side of it about eight hundred yards apart, each commanding the fort. One of the bluffs measured a height of 260 feet and the other 310 feet. It was freely ad mitted that the location of the fort at this particular place was not in accord with scientific warfare, and that should it be attacked by a civilized enemy the garrison would soon be routed. The builders felt assured, however, that the fort would be ample security against the Indian methods of attack.

Chief Joseph in War Feathers

The spot upon which the fortress was constructed was found to be an old Indian burying ground and graves were discovered on every hand.

On the 13th a Catholic priest arrived from, the Coeur d'Alene Mission on his way to Walla Walla with letters from Father Congiato to General Clarke. From him it was learned that the Coeur d'Alenes had assumed- an attitude of defiance, and that should a war be opened by the whites, they had determined to make of it a war of extermination. This report was not needed, however, to convince the soldiers that there would be fighting whenever they should reach the strategic grounds of the Indians. Frequently redskins fired upon the pickets or small numbers of the soldiers from the opposite side of the river, usually after nightfall, and during the day small parties were occasionally seen moving among the hills to the north.

One night, about 9 o'clock, an Indian was heard shouting loudly to the soldiers from across the river. Captain Keys, accompanied by an interpreter and the officer of the day, proceeded at once to the river bank to ascertain what he wanted. On being called to by the interpreter, a Nez Perce, the Indian on the other side cursed him soundly as a traitor. A he finished his maledictions a comrade who stood by him fired at the interpreter. The fire was immediately returned by four sentinels who were on duty nearby, and though the Indians were quieted the darkness prevented the soldiers from seeing whether any serious damage was inflicted.

Fearing an attack was contemplated by the Indians; the companies were ordered out and for an hour remained under arms. No further demonstration being made on the part of the foe, the soldiers were dismissed with orders to sleep on their arms.
While the work of building the fort was in progress, several Indians were taken as prisoners, some of whom had come within the lines evidently for the purpose of spying. Clearly reports of the movements of the soldiers were being heralded throughout the domain of the hostile tribes, and when the force should cross the river it would be deemed to have "passed the Rubicon" and become a prey to the savages.

• Army Life on the Pacific, book by Lawrence Kip

Notes About the Book:

Source: The Indian Tribes of North America, by John R. Swanton, 1953, Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 145, US Government Printing Office, Washington DC.

Online Publication: The manuscript was scanned and then ocr'd. Minimal editing has been done, and readers can and should expect some errors in the textual output.

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