| September, 1855 -- Major Gabriel
J. Rains, stationed at Fort Dalles, issued orders to Major Granville
O. Haller to gather a company of at least 150 men to go into Yakima
Indian territory as a punitive measure. This was in retaliation for the
murder of Indian agent A.J. Bolin..
When the group of Wasco County area men met up with the Indians, the whites were outnumbered about 10 to 1. Regardless, these soldiers fought all that day and into the night. And again the next day and night. A messenger was dispatched on that second day to seek reinforcements from Fort Dalles. By the third day they were no doubt exhausted from the battle. The Indians gave them a run for their money by keeping a "running fight" throughout the night, further tiring the already weary soldiers. About 25 miles outside of The Dalles (Wascopam), the men were met by Lieutenant Day with 45 men of the Third Artillery. Major Haller reported the loss of 5 men and most of the company's horses and supplies. The Major requested another 1000 men, but volunteers were in short supply, and Capt. Fitzgerald of Ft. Dalles could only bring 319 more men. |
A call for volunteers was made
by the governors of both Washington and Oregon. By a Proclamation of the
Oregon governor, Company B, Oregon Mounted Volunteers was organized on
October 11, 1855 under the command of Captain Orlando Humason, father
of Wasco County. Other leadership included General Joel Palmer and
Colonel J.W. Nesmith. Nathan Olney of The Dalles acted as
Indian Agent. Colonel George W. Wright of Ft. Dalles commanded the
entire expedition.
Col. Wright's tactics were ruthless and bold: the goal was to kill all the Indians' horses, leaving the Indians on foot and helpless. Further tactics throughout the Indian Wars included starving the Indians into submission. They were not allowed to fish, hunt or raise crops or livestock. Company B was dispersed to Walla Walla on 24 November 1855.
Webmaster's note: I am attempting to find a list of volunteers to post at this site. If anyone knows of such a list, please let me know... |
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