Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/121

Rh abled Chief Five Crows so that he gave up the command of his warriors. Events like these proved disheartening to the Indians, many of whom had from the beginning shared only slight sympathy with their tribesmen.

Attacks and Skirmishes. After a battle of three hours, the Cayuse Indians retreated from the Umatilla to the Walla Walla River, where they learned that the Nez Perces had decided not to join them. They then began to realize that many of their own tribe were not in sympathy with the war against the whites. To add to their discouragement, Colonel Gilliam obtained the Hudson's Bay Company stores of ammunition at Fort Walla Walla, However, several vigorous attacks and lively skirmishes took place. At Touchct the Indians successfully disputed the further progress of the troops; but not knowing that they had won a victory, the Indians retreated across the Snake River where it was not practicable to pursue them. At this time, for various reasons, the troops were ordered to return down the Columbia, during which journey Colonel Gilliam was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun, and Colonel Henry A. G. Lee was chosen to succeed him.

End of the Cayuse War. The Cayuse Indians, having been reduced in rank and prestige and being discredited by their alfies, ostracized the murderers, who were finally captured on the John Day River by the Nez Perces, The prisoners were taken to Oregon City, where they received a fair trial lor murdering Doctor Whitman and eleven others at Whitman Mission; upon being found guilty by a jury and sentenced by the federal judge they were hanged by Joseph Meek, the U. S. Marshal, June 3, 1850. Thus ended the Cayuse War, which established authority over the Indians and gave the Americans prestige over the Hudson's Bay Company. Through the results of the Cayuse war the whites became more united, became more patriotic toward the American Government, and loyally combined against the common foe—the Indian.