The Battle of Sand Hollows, Washington, also known as the Battle of Dry Plains, stands as a pivotal yet often overlooked engagement during the complex period of the Cayuse War. Occurring on February 24, 1848, this frontier skirmish began on a plain characterized by natural depressions in the sand, which inadvertently served as convenient rifle pits for the defending forces.
This critical confrontation unfolded as a detachment of soldiers, under the command of Captain Lawrence Hall, embarked from The Dalles and pressed eastward along the venerable emigrant road, their destination being Whitman’s Station. It was as they neared the Umatilla River that the volunteer troops found themselves ambushed, initiating the intense three-hour engagement known as the Battle of Sand Hollows, Washington.
Background to the Conflict: The Cayuse War
The hostilities that culminated in the Battle of Sand Hollows were deeply rooted in the broader conflict known as the Cayuse War. This war was sparked by the infamous Whitman Massacre of November 1847, where Cayuse warriors, driven by grievances over encroaching white settlement, perceived injustices, and devastating measles outbreaks attributed to the missionaries, attacked the Whitman Mission near present-day Walla Walla.
Following the massacre, calls for retribution and protection led to the formation of volunteer regiments, primarily composed of settlers from the provisional government of Oregon. These forces were tasked with apprehending those responsible for the Whitman deaths and asserting American authority in the region. The expedition led by Captain Hall was part of this larger military effort to quell Native American resistance and secure the Oregon Territory.
The Native American Coalition and Their Objectives
The Native American forces arrayed against Captain Hall’s soldiers were a formidable coalition, primarily comprising Umatilla, Cayuse, Palouse, and a number of Walla Walla warriors. While the immediate catalyst for their involvement was a desire to protect those implicated in the Whitman Massacre, their deeper motivation stemmed from a fierce determination to defend their ancestral lands against what they perceived as an overwhelming and relentless white invasion. The Cayuse, in particular, harbored an additional strategic objective: to deliver a decisive defeat to the volunteer regiment, thereby bolstering their standing and drawing other tribes into a powerful, unified alliance.
Adding to the tension, the battle was observed by members of the Kalispel, Coeur d’Alene, and Flathead tribes, whose future allegiance hung in the balance. The principal leaders of the Native American coalition were the Cayuse Chiefs Five Crows and Gray Eagle. Both chiefs were revered as “big medicine” men, and they had assured their followers that the white soldiers would never succeed in reaching the Umatilla River, instilling a sense of spiritual invincibility and resolve among their warriors.
The Battle Unfolds: A Fierce Exchange
The engagement at what became known as Sand Hollows or Dry Plains was intense and protracted. The natural terrain, with its depressions, offered a degree of cover for the ambushing Native American warriors, allowing them to effectively engage the advancing American volunteers. Captain Hall’s troops, despite being caught off guard, returned fire with determination.
For three grueling hours, the battle raged, a testament to the ferocity and determination of both sides. The soldiers fought to push forward and secure their objective, while the Native American coalition fought to halt the invasion and assert their dominance. The outcome of this particular skirmish, however, proved to be inconclusive, leaving neither side with a clear victory.
Casualties and Aftermath
The toll of the Battle of Sand Hollows, though not decisive, was significant for both sides. The Native American forces suffered notable losses: Chief Gray Eagle, a respected leader and “big medicine” man, was killed in action. Chief Five Crows, despite being wounded, managed to evade capture. In addition to these leaders, seven other warriors perished, and four more sustained injuries. This outcome was a considerable blow to the Native American morale and their strategic aspirations.
The American volunteers also incurred casualties. Five soldiers were wounded during the engagement, among whom was the prominent Lieutenant-Colonel Waters. The injuries sustained underscore the fierce nature of the fighting and the dangers faced by the frontier troops. Crucially, the inconclusive nature of the battle destroyed the Cayuse’s chance for forging a broader alliance with powerful tribes such as the Nez Perce, Yakama, and Spokan. Had they secured a decisive victory, the course of the Cayuse War might have been dramatically altered.
Marching to Whitman Mission and Establishing Fort Waters
Following the engagement, Captain Hall’s troops pressed onward, eventually reaching the site of the old Whitman Mission around March 3rd. Upon their arrival, one of their solemn first acts was to ensure a proper and dignified burial for the remains of those who had been tragically killed during the massacre. This act provided a measure of closure and respect for the victims.
To establish a more permanent defensive presence and honor their fallen comrade, the volunteers then constructed a small stockade at the mission site. This fortification was aptly named Fort Waters, in tribute to Lieutenant-Colonel Waters, who had been wounded in the recent battle. Fort Waters served as a temporary outpost, symbolizing the American commitment to securing the region and maintaining order amidst the ongoing conflict of the Cayuse War.
Conclusion
The Battle of Sand Hollows, though tactically inconclusive, represented a significant moment in the unfolding narrative of the Cayuse War. It highlighted the fierce determination of Native American tribes to resist encroachment and the challenges faced by American volunteers in asserting control over the vast and contested Oregon Territory. While the immediate outcome denied the Native American coalition the decisive victory they sought, thereby preventing a broader tribal alliance, it also demonstrated the considerable fighting spirit and strategic acumen of the defending warriors. This conflict ultimately contributed to the complex and often tragic history of Native American-settler relations in the American West, leaving a lasting legacy on the region’s development and the memories of those who fought there.
