The Battle of Tasawicks Village represents a significant, albeit often overlooked, skirmish during a period of intense conflict between U.S. forces and Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest. After enduring a bitterly cold winter in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington Territory, more than 300 men of the 1st Oregon Volunteers, under the determined command of Colonel Thomas Cornelius, resolved to confront the Walla Walla and Palouse Indians, leading to the events at Tasawicks Village.
This encounter, occurring on March 13, 1856, provides a stark glimpse into the realities of the Indian Wars, characterized by arduous campaigns, tragic encounters, and the profound displacement of indigenous peoples. The expedition was part of a broader effort to assert American control over lands traditionally occupied by Native tribes, following escalating tensions and conflicts that had simmered for years in the region.
The Setting: A Winter of Hardship and Rising Tensions
The winter of 1855-1856 had been exceptionally harsh, leaving the volunteer troops stationed in the Walla Walla Valley in a precarious position. Ill-supplied and eager for action after months of inactivity and discomfort, their morale was likely influenced by the desire to end the protracted conflicts that defined the era. These conflicts, often collectively referred to as the Yakima War, involved various tribes including the Yakama, Palouse, Walla Walla, and Nez Perce, who were resisting the encroachment of American settlers and the imposition of treaties that severely reduced their ancestral lands.
Colonel Thomas Cornelius, leading the 1st Oregon Volunteers, embodied the resolve of the territorial government to subdue Native resistance. His mission was clear: to locate and engage the tribes deemed hostile, particularly those who had been involved in skirmishes or raids against settlers and U.S. forces. The expedition’s target included the Palouse and Walla Walla communities, known for their resilience and strategic presence along vital river systems.
The March to Tasawicks Village
On March 9, 1856, despite their logistical challenges, Cornelius’s troops commenced their northward march. The journey was undoubtedly arduous, traversing the rugged and still-frozen terrain of eastern Washington. The volunteers pressed on, their destination being the Snake River, a critical artery for the Palouse people and a traditional site for fishing and encampment.
By March 13th, the weary troops reached the Snake River at the exact location of the Palouse village known as Tasawicks Village. This settlement was strategically situated approximately 25 miles upstream from the Snake River’s confluence with the mighty Columbia River, a region rich in resources and cultural significance for the indigenous inhabitants. The arrival of such a large military force would have sent immediate alarms throughout the community.
The Skirmish and its Tragic Outcome
As the volunteers prepared to cross the Snake River in boats, the majority of the Palouse villagers, likely forewarned or alert to the approaching military presence, managed to flee. Their quick evacuation was a common defensive strategy for Native American communities, prioritizing the safety of their people over direct confrontation with overwhelming forces. However, a small group, unable to keep pace with the fleeing main body, was tragically left behind.
An advance guard of the Oregon Volunteers encountered these individuals. In a grim turn of events, four older Palouse men were killed during this brief engagement. The details surrounding their deaths remain scarce in historical records, but they serve as a stark reminder of the often brutal and unforgiving nature of these frontier conflicts. Following this deadly encounter, the volunteers also captured two Palouse women and a small boy, whom they named Thomas, reportedly after their commander, Colonel Thomas Cornelius.
This incident at Tasawicks Village, marked by the deaths of the elderly and the capture of vulnerable individuals, was later remarked upon by Cornelius himself as his only “victory” of the campaign. This statement is profoundly telling, suggesting that the broader expedition was largely unsuccessful in achieving its primary objectives of decisively engaging and defeating the main tribal forces. Instead, it resulted in a minor, tragic skirmish against non-combatants, underscoring the difficulties and moral ambiguities faced by both sides during this turbulent period.
Beyond Tasawicks: The Enduring Conflict
The incident at Tasawicks Village, while a footnote in the larger narrative of the Yakima War, exemplifies the smaller, often brutal encounters that collectively shaped the history of the Pacific Northwest. The region remained a hotbed of conflict for several more years, as various tribes, including the Palouse, continued to resist the relentless pressure from American expansion. The volunteers, despite their efforts, struggled to achieve decisive victories against a mobile and determined foe, who often employed guerrilla tactics and intimate knowledge of the rugged terrain.
The events at Tasawicks contributed to the legacy of mistrust and hardship for the Palouse people. Their traditional way of life was irrevocably altered by these conflicts, leading to further displacement, land loss, and cultural disruption. The strategic importance of the Snake and Columbia River systems meant that such conflicts would continue until Native American resistance was largely suppressed, paving the way for Euro-American settlement and development.
Conclusion: A Glimpse into a Troubled Past
The Battle of Tasawicks Village, though a seemingly minor engagement, serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Indian Wars in Washington Territory. It highlights the desperation of Native American communities to preserve their way of life in the face of overwhelming military force, and the harsh realities faced by volunteer soldiers in often-unsuccessful campaigns. Colonel Cornelius’s stark declaration regarding his “only victory” at Tasawicks speaks volumes about the challenges of the conflict and the nature of the encounters. This tragic event at a Palouse encampment near the Snake River is a crucial part of understanding the complex, often sorrowful, history of westward expansion and its profound impact on the indigenous peoples of America.
