discipline, together with the usual jealousies of new organi
zations, and the hardships unavoidable under the circum
stances, were already creating discontent and demoraliza
tion; hence, the policy of the commander to put the army
in motion was perhaps a wise one. This, at all events,
was what he decided to do, leaving only twenty men at
The Dalles, under Corporal William Williams, for the de
fense of that post, having first removed Siletza s band of
Des Chutes Indians below The Dalles to protect them from
annoyance by the Cay uses, as also to remove them from
temptation.
Having no boats to transport supplies up the Columbia, The Dalles was made the base of operations, and immi grant wagons and ox teams left there for the winter were pressed into the service of the army. On the hind wheels of one wagon was mounted the cannon, a long, nine- pounder left in the country from some ship, and on the sixteenth the army crossed Des Chutes river. The follow ing day it crossed John Day river, encamping on the east side, its progress being slow. Previous to this, the peace commissioners had sent a flag, with a present of tobacco, to the disaffected Columbia river Indians, and had received information that all the tribes above The Dalles were united for war against the Americans.
While en route Major Lee, having made a reconnoissance, reported the camp of a small party discovered, which had cached its property and retired to the hills. On the nine teenth he was ordered to pursue them and set out on their trail. From camp on John Day river the commissioners had sent to Fort Walla Walla by a friendly Indian a packet containing a letter to the officer in charge, with flags and tobacco for the Indians, and a letter from Mr. Spalding directed to the head men of the Nez Percés, which ra
