THE YAKIMA WAR.
CHAPTER I.
Extent of the Hostile Conferation in Oregon and Washington—The Yakimas Murder Miners—Death of Bolan—Kamiakin's Confession to a Spy—The Preparations for War—Acting Governor Mason of Washington Territory Makes a Requisition Upon the United States Forts—Major Haller is Ordered Into the Yakima Country—His Battle and Defeat—Comments of General Wool—Reenforcements and Volunteers Called For—Action of Governor Curry—A Regiment Called Out by Proclamation—Major Rains' Campagin—Kamiakin's Letter—Rains' Reply—Wool's Remarks on Rains' Campaign—Indifference of the Regular Army to the Peril of Governor Stevens—Olney's Futile Attempt to Prevent the Walla Wallas and Cayuses Joining Kamiakin—His Order to the Settlers—Raymond's Letter to the Volunteer Commander—Fort Walla Walla Destroyed With all its Contents—Curry's View of His Duty—Organization of the First Regiment of Oregon Mounted Volunteers—Occupation of the Walla Walla Valley by Oregon Forces—The Battle of Walla Walla—Killing of Peu-peu-mox-mox—Indignities Inflicted on His Body—End of Four Days' Fighting—The Indians Retire—Losses on Both Sides—Fort Bennett Erected—Safe Arrival of Governor Stevens at the Fort—His Course With the Cœur d'Alenes, Spokanes, and Nez Perces—Looking Glass Treacherous—Successful Councils—Resignation of Nesmith—Thos. Cornelius Chosen Colonel—The Regiment Recruited—Hard Fare—Fight With the Yakimas—Loss of Mounts—Regiment Disbanded—Battalion of Oregon Rangers Organized.
The commencement of the Rogue-river war was not by any means a merely local disturbance, but was a part of a widely extended effort of the Indians of Oregon, and also of Washington, to rid themselves of the presence of the white race. A comparison of dates shows a widespread combination of the tribes, from the Siskiyou mountains in the south, to the southern boundary of British Columbia in the north; and from the waters of the Pacific on the west, to the springs of the Columbia on the east. Everywhere was discontent, jealousy, and hatred of the superior and encroaching civilization. That there was reason for much of the discontent in treaties compulsarily made, tardily ratified, and fraudulently executed, cannot be de-
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