Notwithstanding the excitement occasioned by this news, there was no outbreak, but the large force engaged to escort him to The Dalles being now deemed unnecessary, he set out next day with his guards and sixty-nine Nez Percé volunteers for Fort Bennett, where he arrived December twentieth.
It was then made apparent how he had been able to come through the Indian country unmolested; the warriors of the confederated tribes being at the scene of battle. He regarded his safety and the escape of his whole party as due to the presence of the Oregon troops in the country, and was cordial in his acknowledgments. He remained ten days in the Walla Walla valley, and finding there Indian agent B. F. Shaw, who was also a colonel of the militia of Washington territory, directed him to organize a company of the French–Canadian residents of the valley into a home guard, with Sidney S. Ford, captain, and Green McCafferty, first lieutenant. Shaw was ordered to throw up defensive works around the winter camp of the friendly Indians and French settlers, and to protect in like manner the settlers at Spokane and Colville, at the same time coöperating with Colonel Cornelius in any movement he might make against the Indians in arms. He agreed with the Oregon officers that the Walla Walla valley should be held by the volunteers until the regular troops were ready to take the field, and that the war should be vigorously prosecuted.
Stevens appointed William Craig his aid, and directed him to muster out of service the sixty-nine Nez Percés, on returning with them to Lapwai, and to send their muster-rolls to the office of the adjutant-general at Olympia. Craig was also directed to take measures to protect the Nez Percés against incursions by hostile Indians, a politic as well as a war measure, keeping the young braves employed, and flattered with a prospect of pay in the future. They reciprocated on the spot, by offering to furnish fresh horses to mount the Oregon volunteers, whose horses were sadly
