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understood that they had gone to prepare for war: The army then proceeded on its march toward Waiilatpu.
Newell remarks, in his Memoranda, that "for the last few days the men have behaved well," and also that "some hope is entertained that our mission will be success ful, though we lack experience ; " and further, " we have heard of Messrs. Walker and Eells; they are still at home, though in suspense and fear."
On the twenty-eighth the troops encamped on the Walla Walla river, and the commissioners had an interview with McBean and the Catholic clergymen 18 at the fort, learning that much alarm had been felt on account of the combi nation between the Cayuses and the Columbia river Indians; but the Walla Walla chief, Peu-peu-mox-mox, being in favor of peace, was regarded as a hopeful sign. Colonel Gilliam seized the opportunity of obtaining from Brouillet an account of the events of November twenty- ninth, as they had become known to him. On the follow ing morning the troops moved six miles up the Walla Walla river and encamped, when Major Lee, with twenty- five men, returned to the fort to press two kegs of powder, which were secured. Another march of five miles on the first of March brought the army to the camp of Peu-peu- mox-mox, who professed friendship, and sold several beef cattle to the commissary of subsistence. Here the smoke and dust of the Cayuse camp in mot ; on towards Waiilatpu was observed, and a Nez Percé visited the commissioners to t-ake observations. On the second camp was made near the site of Dr. Whitman s mission. And so at last the whole of the horrible story was made known, for it should
18 B. Jennings, acting quartermaster at Fort Lee, about this date, wrote a letter to A. E. Wait, informing him that Siletza, the Des Chutes chief asserted that "the priest at Walla Walla," which was Brouillet, had, under duress, been compelled to make shields for the Cayuses, who flattered themselves with a certainty of success, intend ing to march through tho Yakima country and punish them for their neutrality by killing them all off, after which they proposed to march down the north side of the Columbia, and falling upon the American settlements, exterminate the white peo ple. "We are troubled very much," continues Jennings, "with friendly Indians. Our force being so weak at this place we are compelled to be more liberal in presents of meat and flour than we would if our situation was otherwise. Among th
