Battle of Walla Walla, Washington

The Battle of Walla Walla, also referred to as the Battle of Frenchtown, stands as a significant and protracted engagement in the history of the Washington Territory. This clash unfolded between December 7th and 10th, 1855, triggered by a series of escalating tensions between the U.S. Army and several Native American tribes of the region. The roots of the conflict lay in the complex and often fraught relationship between the burgeoning American settlers and the indigenous populations whose ancestral lands were increasingly encroached upon. This historical account delves into the events leading up to the battle, the key players involved, and the lasting consequences that shaped the future of the Pacific Northwest.

The immediate catalyst for the Battle of Walla Walla was a call to action issued by U.S. Army Major Gabriel Rains. Rains’ appeal stemmed from growing unrest among the Walla Walla tribe, who were vehemently opposed to a treaty that had not yet been ratified but was nonetheless being used to justify the premature opening of their lands to American settlers. The Walla Walla, feeling betrayed and dispossessed, had retaliated by raiding the Fort Walla Walla trading post at Wallula, a symbolic act of defiance against what they perceived as an unjust land grab. Further fueling the flames of conflict was the reported vow of Chief Peopeomoxmox, the respected leader of the Walla Walla, to kill Governor Isaac Stevens, a figure seen as instrumental in pushing forward the controversial treaty.

In response to Major Rains’ call, approximately 350 troops of the Oregon Mounted Volunteers were mobilized from the Willamette Valley, a region that had already experienced significant American settlement. These volunteers, eager to assert American authority and protect the interests of the settlers, marched towards the disputed territory. Upon arrival, they established Fort Henrietta on the banks of the Umatilla River, a strategic location intended to serve as a base of operations for their campaign against the Walla Walla. Before engaging the tribe directly, the volunteers conducted an inspection of the abandoned Fort Walla Walla trading post, assessing the damage and gathering intelligence. Following this reconnaissance, the troops set their sights on the Touchet River, with the intention of delivering a punitive blow to the Walla Walla for their perceived transgressions. The Battle of Walla Walla was on the horizon.

A pivotal moment occurred when Chief Peopeomoxmox, demonstrating a willingness to negotiate and avoid further bloodshed, approached the Oregon Volunteers under a white flag of truce. He sought to engage in dialogue and find a peaceful resolution to the escalating conflict. However, the volunteers, distrustful and determined to assert their dominance, insisted that Peopeomoxmox and four other prominent Walla Walla men be taken as hostages. This demand was presented as a guarantee against an immediate attack on the Walla Walla village, but it also served to undermine the tribe’s leadership and leverage their position. Reluctantly, Peopeomoxmox and his companions agreed to become hostages, hoping to prevent further violence and protect their people.

With their hostages in tow, the Oregon Volunteers embarked on a march towards the old Whitman Mission, a site that had been abandoned several years prior following the tragic Whitman Massacre. The soldiers intended to establish a winter camp at the mission, providing them with a secure base from which to continue their operations. As they moved along the Touchet River and began their ascent into the valley, they were unaware that their actions had ignited a firestorm of resistance. The Walla Walla, along with their allies from the Cayuse, Palouse, and Yakama tribes, were not willing to stand idly by while their lands and leaders were threatened.

An estimated 1,000 warriors, a formidable force drawn from the combined strength of the allied tribes, began to pursue the Oregon Volunteers. These warriors, fiercely protective of their ancestral lands and deeply resentful of the encroachment of American settlers, were determined to confront the soldiers and defend their way of life. The Battle of Walla Walla was about to commence in earnest.

The ensuing four-day battle unfolded east of present-day Walla Walla, in the vicinity of Lowden. The initial skirmishes began near the mouth of the Touchet River and spread along Frenchtown, a collection of French-Canadian fur trader cabins that stretched from near modern-day Walla Walla to the west of Lowden. This area, once a hub of trade and cultural exchange, now became a battleground between two opposing forces.

Recognizing their disadvantage in numbers and resources, the Oregon Volunteers sought to establish a defensible position. They commandeered a cabin owned by Joseph Larocque and his wife, Lizette Walla Walla, and quickly transformed it into a makeshift fort, christened Fort Bennett. The perimeter of the cabin was fortified with a stockade, providing the volunteers with some degree of protection against the anticipated attacks. The main fighting of the Battle of Walla Walla took place east of this fortified cabin, as the volunteers braced themselves for the onslaught of the Native American warriors.

The first day of the battle was marked by a tragic and controversial event: the execution of the five Walla Walla hostages, including Chief Peopeomoxmox, by the Oregon Volunteers. This act, a clear violation of the rules of engagement and a betrayal of the truce under which the hostages had been taken, ignited further outrage and fueled the intensity of the fighting. The discovery of Chief Peopeomoxmox’s body, mutilated and dismembered, served as a stark reminder of the brutality of the conflict and the deep-seated animosity between the two sides.

The Battle of Walla Walla raged for four days, with both sides enduring significant losses. The Oregon Volunteers, despite their initial advantage in firepower, found themselves increasingly depleted and running low on ammunition. The Native American warriors, though lacking in modern weaponry, fought with unwavering courage and determination, utilizing their knowledge of the terrain to their advantage.

Finally, on the fourth day, with their ammunition dwindling and their position becoming increasingly untenable, the Oregon Volunteers made the decision to retreat. They abandoned Fort Bennett and fled back towards Fort Henrietta, leaving behind the battlefield and the bodies of their fallen comrades. The Native American warriors, having successfully driven off the volunteers, withdrew from the area, but the underlying tensions and grievances remained unresolved.

The Battle of Walla Walla, while not a decisive victory for either side, had profound and lasting consequences. The death of Chief Peopeomoxmox and the brutality of the fighting deepened the divide between the American settlers and the Native American tribes of the region. The conflict served as a catalyst for further violence and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the Yakima War, a larger and more widespread conflict that engulfed the Pacific Northwest. The battle also highlighted the failures of American Indian policy and the devastating impact of westward expansion on the lives and cultures of the indigenous peoples. The Battle of Walla Walla remains a somber reminder of a tragic chapter in the history of Washington and the ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation.