The Battle of Walla Walla, also tragically remembered as the Battle of Frenchtown, represents the most protracted Indian conflict in the annals of Washington Territory’s history. This significant engagement, which unfolded from December 7 to 10, 1855, was precipitated by escalating tensions and a direct response to a call from U.S. Army Major Gabriel Rains. At its core, the Battle of Walla Walla was a struggle for land and sovereignty, with the Walla Walla tribe resisting the premature opening of their ancestral lands following an unratified treaty.
Resistance from the Walla Walla people was palpable. Their chief, Peopeomoxmox, a respected leader, reportedly vowed defiance against Governor Isaac Stevens, further fueling the volatile situation. A raid on the Fort Walla Walla trading post at Wallula by the tribe underscored their rejection of the proposed land cessions and the impending encroachment.
Rising Tensions and Unratified Treaties
The mid-19th century in the Pacific Northwest was a period of immense change and conflict, marked by the rapid influx of American settlers and the U.S. government’s aggressive pursuit of land acquisition from Native American tribes. Treaties, often negotiated under duress and rarely understood or ratified in a timely manner, became a flashpoint. The Walla Walla Treaty Council of 1855, orchestrated by Governor Isaac Stevens, sought to confine numerous tribes, including the Walla Walla, Cayuse, and Yakama, to reservations. However, the treaty remained unratified by the U.S. Senate, leaving a dangerous legal vacuum.
The Role of Chief Peopeomoxmox
Chief Peopeomoxmox (also known as Peo-peo-mox-mox or Yellow Bird) was a prominent leader of the Walla Walla tribe. He was known for his diplomatic efforts but also for his firm stance against the erosion of his people’s rights and lands. His resistance to the unratified treaty and his reported defiance of Governor Stevens made him a central figure in the rising conflict. The raid on the Fort Walla Walla trading post was a clear message of rejection of the settlers’ presence and the proposed land changes.
The Oregon Volunteers Respond
In response to the escalating unrest and Major Rains’ call for action, approximately 350 troops of the Oregon Mounted Volunteers mobilized from the Willamette Valley. Their objective was clear: to assert American authority and punish the defiant tribes, particularly the Walla Walla. This volunteer force, largely composed of frontiersmen with limited formal military training, represented the immediate armed response of the nascent Washington Territory.
Fort Henrietta and the Advance
The Volunteers first established Fort Henrietta on the Umatilla River, serving as a temporary staging ground and supply depot. After inspecting the abandoned Fort Walla Walla trading post, they continued their march towards the Touchet River, intent on confronting the Walla Walla. Their movement through the territory, often perceived as an invasion by the Native Americans, further exacerbated the already strained relations. The anticipation of battle hung heavy in the air as the column advanced.
A Treacherous Truce and Hostage Taking
As the Oregon Volunteers approached, Chief Peopeomoxmox, accompanied by four other men, bravely met them under a white flag of truce. His intention was likely to parley and de-escalate the situation, or at least to protect his village from immediate attack. However, the Volunteers, distrustful and determined to press their advantage, insisted that Peopeomoxmox and his companions become their hostages. This act, under the guise of preventing an attack, effectively removed the tribe’s primary leader and negotiators, a move considered a grave betrayal by the Native Americans.
The Fatal Decision
With their hostages in tow, the Oregon Volunteers departed the Walla Walla camp. Their plan involved establishing a winter encampment at the old Whitman Mission, a site steeped in history and previous conflict. As the soldiers and their captives moved along the Touchet River and up the valley, they were soon pursued by a formidable force. An estimated 1,000 warriors from the Walla Walla, Cayuse, Palouse, and Yakama tribes had assembled, enraged by the taking of their chief and ready to defend their lands.
The Four-Day Battle of Frenchtown
The resulting conflict, a brutal and extended running battle, took place east of present-day Walla Walla, primarily in the vicinity of Lowden, Washington. The initial engagements unfolded at the mouth of the Touchet River, stretching along what was known as Frenchtown. This area was characterized by a collection of French-Canadian fur trader cabins, extending from near today’s Walla Walla westward towards Lowden, providing a scattered but strategic landscape for engagement.
Fort Bennett and Fierce Engagements
Outnumbered and often ill-equipped compared to the unified Native American forces, the Oregon Volunteers quickly established their field headquarters and a makeshift hospital within a cabin owned by Joseph Larocque and his wife, Lizette Walla Walla. They swiftly fortified the perimeter of the cabin with a stockade, which they named Fort Bennett. The battle raged fiercely around this stronghold. On the very first day, a horrific event unfolded: the five Walla Walla hostages, including the esteemed Chief Peopeomoxmox, were killed by the soldiers. The Chief’s body was later found mutilated and dismembered, an act that further inflamed the conflict and cemented a legacy of deep animosity.
Volunteer Retreat and Indian Withdrawal
The Battle of Walla Walla continued for four grueling days, a testament to the tenacity of both sides. The Volunteers, despite their fortified position at Fort Bennett, found themselves increasingly beleaguered, with ammunition supplies running dangerously low. Recognizing the untenable situation, they made the difficult decision to retreat to Fort Henrietta, their initial staging ground. Simultaneously, the Native American warriors, having inflicted significant casualties and made their strong stance, also withdrew. While neither side achieved a decisive victory, the battle underscored the fierce resistance of the Plateau tribes and the brutal realities of the Indian Wars.
Legacy and Aftermath
The Battle of Walla Walla had profound and lasting consequences for all involved. For the Native American tribes, it was a costly defense of their homeland and a tragic loss of leadership. For the settlers and the U.S. government, it highlighted the formidable challenge of westward expansion and the determination of indigenous peoples to resist. The death of Chief Peopeomoxmox, particularly the circumstances surrounding it, became a symbol of betrayal and fueled further conflict. The battle was a critical chapter in the broader Cayuse War and the Yakima War, contributing to a period of sustained violence and displacement for the Native Americans of the Columbia Plateau.
Ultimately, the battle contributed to the further militarization of the region and reinforced the U.S. government’s resolve to establish control, leading to more treaties, land cessions, and the eventual confinement of tribes to reservations. The echoes of this conflict reverberated for decades, shaping the demographic and political landscape of Washington Territory and leaving an indelible mark on its history.
