[Inclosure No. 1.] UMATILLA INDIAN RESERVATION, August 4, 1862. Col. J. STEINBERGER, U. S. Army, Commanding Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter.: COLONEL: I have respectfully to request that you will order a detachment of twenty-five or thirty mounted men to proceed to Grande Ronde Valley for the purpose of arresting certain refractory Indians who are creating a serious disturbance among the settlers in that valley. These Indians belong to the Umatilla Indian Reservation, but do not recognize their treaty obligations. They have refused to allow white men to settle in the valley, and have already driven away several men by threats of violence. Should those Indians be permitted to remain where they are at present congregated, difficulties of a serious character must occur between them and the white settlers. If two or three of the leaders of the party are captured at once and placed in confinement in the guard-house at Fort Walla Walla the whole affair may be checked and no further trouble in that quarter be apprehended. I have also respectfully to request that when the infantry detachment at the reservation is relieved a detachment of twenty mounted men may take their place, to remain permanently, for the preservation of peace and good order on the reservation. The great influx of travel to the mines directly through the reservation causes much dissatisfaction in the minds of the Indians and renders it absolutely necessary that a small force be kept constantly at the agency. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Approved. ORDERS, No. 170. WILLIAM H. BARNHART, WM. H. RECTOR, [Inclosure No. 2.] HEADQUARTERS, Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., August 16, 1862. I. Lieut. J. T. Apperson, Company E, First Oregon Cavalry, with fif teen men of that company, will leave this post to-morrow morning, 17th instant, and proceed without delay to the Umatilla Reservation. II. This detachment, with the ten men of the same company now at that point, will remain there until the arrival of Captain Currey with his command, for the protection of Government property and assistance in the enforcement of the authority of the agent of the Indian Department. III. Forty rounds of ammunition and seven days' subsistence will be taken with the party. IV. Instructions will be furnished Lieutenant Apperson from these headquarters. By order of Colonel Steinberger: WM. MYLES, First Lieut., First Washington Territory Infantry, Post Adjutant. [Inclosure No. 3.] HEADQUARTERS, Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., August 9, 1862. Capt. GEORGE B. CURREY, First Oregon Cavalry, Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter.: SIR: Representations have been made by the Indian agent at the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and confirmed by the superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon, now here, that a band of Indians belonging to the Cayuse tribe have by force of arms driven white settlers from their farms on the Grande Ronde Prairie, claiming ownership to the lands. The Indian Department shows evidence of treaty by the Government for this section of country, and indisputable right on the part of the United States to it. Orders, No. 161, from these headquarters directing the force under your command to proceed to Grande Ronde are issued at the request of gentlemen above named. I inclose you a copy of the communication* of Mr. Barnhart and Mr. Rector for your guidance. You will use all dispatch on the march to the point at which these Indians are supposed to be, and after carefully collecting all the information possible, arrest such of the leaders as were engaged in the attack upon the white settlers and bring them at once to this post. Do not encumber yourself with more than four or five of the principal men, and then only after the most satisfactory proof of their actual engagement in the affair. Alexander McKay will be taken with you as guide and interpreter, and as he is highly recommended by Agent Barnhart, you will take his advice as to the route to pursue, and the persons to consult in Grande Ronde Valley capable of giving you information in your search for the disaffected Indians. The camp equipage directed to be turned over to you by Lieutenant Hillyer will be sufficient for the full detachment of twenty men intended to remain at the Umatilla Reservation until 1st of November. This will be left at the reserve in charge of the sergeant. After leaving the detachment of ten men at Umatilla Reservation, you will proceed with the remaining twenty men for the purpose above indicated, and on returning to this post detach nine others with one corporal as a re-enforcement on the reservation. The subsistence taken with you is to be used mainly on the reservation by the force to be employed there, and you will take with you beyond that point not more than is necessary for the twenty men that march with you to Grande Ronde. It is expected that not more than fourteen days will be required for the purpose indicated, and you will use all diligence in accomplishing the object desired, and return to this post on or before the 24th instant. Very much is of necessity left to your own discretion and judgment in carrying out these instructions, and it is enjoined upon you prudently and carefully to exercise the responsibility intrusted. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Walla Walla, August 17, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report that I received an express last night from Captain Currey with the report herewith inclosed, dated 15th instant. The chief (Tenounis) referred to is the Indian reported by Agent Barnhart and Superintendent Rector as the leader in the foray against the settlers of Grande Ronde Valley. Inclosed (No. 1) is also a copy of petition from the settlers in Grande Ronde Valley. The scout of Captain Currey anticipates the protection asked. The request for a * See inclosure No. 1, p. 160. + See Currey to Steinberger, August 15, p. 164. 11 R R--VOL L, PT I company at that point I think unwarranted. If Captain Currey's operations have been prudent, and his recent action just and proper, it should have the effect to subdue hostilities and deter other infringement upon the rights of settlers. The presence, too, of the large force of cavalry eastward of this settlement and the knowledge of their return within a few months will no doubt have the effect to prevent the danger feared. I have no other intelligence than that furnished me by Captain Currey of his encounter with the Indians referred to in his letter. My instructions to him, both written and verbal, were to exercise the greatest caution and prudence in the performance of his duties, and I have no reason to believe the collision with these Indians was other than unavoidable. From information that I gather from intelligent friendly Indians here, there appears to be not more than twenty Indians disaffected in the Grande Ronde Valley, and no sympathy is had with them by the remainder of the Cayuse or other tribes. I received also last night an express from the acting agent of the Umatilla Agency, reporting that the affair of Captain Currey was known among the Indians under his charge, and that some uneasiness was felt. Under date of August 9 I advised you of the disposition of the force sent out under Captain Currey. Ten men with a sergeant were directed to be left at the reservation to relievé Lieutenant Hillyer and twenty men of the Fourth California Infantry. In order to give greater security to the public property on the reservation and insure the authority of the agent, I sent at daylight this morning Lieutenant Apperson, Company E, First Oregon Cavalry, with fifteen men of that company to re-enforce the small detachment left there. Inclosed is respectfully transmitted copy of the order directing the movement. I have much confidence in the discretion and prudence of Lieutenant Apperson in the duty assigned him, and doubt not that on the return of Captain Currey will be enabled to report to you quiet and submission among the Indians. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Commanding. ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Hdqrs. District of Oregon, Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter. [Inclosure No. 1.] Petition. COMMANDING OFFICER AT FORT WALLA WALLA: We, the undersigned, citizens of Grande Ronde Valley, would respectfully petition you for the assistance of one company or more of soldiers to be stationed here. Whereas depredations have been committed here by the Indians, and that we are so scattered over the valley that we have not the means of defense, and that our lives and property are not safe, and if you will grant our petition you will confer a great favor on the petitioners. C. E. FOX, D. CHAPLIN, [Inclosure No. 2.] ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS, Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., August 9, 1862. I. Capt. George B. Currey, First Oregon Cavalry, with two sergeants, four corporals, and twenty-four privates, will leave this post on the morning of the 10th instant on detached service for the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Grande Ronde Prairie. III. On arriving at the Umatilla Reservation Captain Currey will leave a reliable sergeant and ten men to relieve the force of the Fourth California Infantry under Lieutenant Hillyer. V. Written instructions will be furnished Captain Currey from these headquarters. By order of Colonel Steinberger: WILLIAM MYLES, First Lieut., First Washington Territory Infty., Actg. Post Adjt. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Walla Walla, August 23, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith inclosed copy of report* of Capt. George B. Currey, First Oregon Cavalry, returned last night with a detachment of his company from an expedition to the Grande Ronde Valley. The instructions given this officer, as heretofore reported, were to find out the Indians engaged in the disturbances reported by the superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon and the agent of the Umatilla Reservation, and if possible arrest and bring to this post a few of the most active and influential of their number. As by the captain's report, the effort to carry out the orders given was met by resistance, and resulted in the killing of four Indians, among whom was their leader, Tenounis, or the Dreamer, as he is called. This Indian, I have learned, has been for a long time disaffected. He has always denied and opposed the authority of the Government and their right to the lands now occupied by white settlers, ceded by treaty and acknowledged by the greater portion of his tribe as belonging to the United States. For some months he had separated himself from the Umatilla Reservation, and in opposition to the feelings and expressed inclinations of the Indians collected there had taken with him a small band, with the avowed object to occupy the Grande Ronde Valley to the exclusion of our settlers. The designs of this party culminated, as reported, in attacks endangering the lives and property of settlers in that valley. The other Indians killed were clearly in the interest of the Dreamer and under his influence. To have arrested a few of the leaders engaged in these hostile movements it was supposed would have broken up the band. The more summary punishment resulting from their resistance has, I have no doubt, accomplished the same end, and the more effectually. All the reports from the Grande Ronde Valley and the Umatilla Reservation, from Indians as well as whites, concur in the representation that order and quiet have been restored. The promptness with which the aggressions of this small band of Indians has been visited by our troops, and * See Currey to Steinberger, August 23, p. 164. the immediate punishment served, has, I think, produced a salutary effect for their future good conduct. It convinces them of the determination and ability of the Government to protect its citizens from outrage and enforce inviolate our stipulated relations. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Commanding. ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters District of Oregon, Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter. No. 3. Reports of Capt. George B. Currey, First Oregon Cavalry. GRANDE RONDE, August 15, 1862. SIR: On the second day from Umatilla Agency I surprised Tenounis' (the Dreamer) camp, about 1 o'clock at night. Held a long talk with him, endeavoring to induce him to go with me to Walla Walla, Wash. Ter. This he obstinately refused. I gave him until 8 a. m. to consider in. At the expiration of that time he told me that if the tyee at Walla Walla wished to see him he might come, but that he would not go. I then concluded to make him a prisoner. This he resisted, firing at me twice. I shot him with a revolver, as well as one of his principal men. While this was going on several shots were fired among my men from a crowd of some fifteen or twenty Indians whom I had supposed to be mere spectators. One fire from my men's yagers sent them out of sight except two, who fell. The Indians claim that the two shot by the men were friendly Indians. This may create some dissatisfaction among those on the reserve. I shall remain here a day or two to recruit my horses and watch the shape things are taking. Yours, respectfully, GEO. B. CURREY, Captain, First Cavalry Oregon Volunteers. COMDG. OFFICER AT FORT WALLA WALLA, WASH. TER. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., August 23, 1862. COLONEL: In obedience to Orders, No. 161, dated at this place, August 9, 1862, on the morning of the 10th instant I started for the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Grande Ronde Prairie, with a detachment of thirty enlisted men of Company E, First Cavalry Oregon Volunteers. Arrived at the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Oregon, on the 11th instant, and in compliance with paragraph III, Orders, No. 161, I detailed Sergeant Ammons and ten men to relieve Lieutenant Hillyer and his detachment of California volunteers on detached duty at that place. On the morning of the 12th, with the remainder of the detachment, I set out at sunrise for Grande Ronde Prairie, with your written instructions to carefully inquire into and arrest the leaders in the late attack upon the white settlers. Encamped for the night on Grande Ronde River. Distance from agency, forty miles. Left camp at sunrise on the morning of the 13th; traveled eight miles to settlements. Remained several hours, making inquiry among the settlers concerning the recent conduct of the Indians in that vicinity. From the settlers I |