HALLER AND RAIN'S EXPEDITION
In August 1855 Chief Pierre Jerome, of the Kettle Falls tribe, declared that no Americans would be allowed to pass through his territory. During this month several parties, from the Puget Sound region, attempted to travel to Colville. Miners, crossing the Yakima territory, were attacked. Rumors began to spread that it was the Yakimas who attacked the mining parties.
Andrew J Bolon, sub-Indian agent for the Yakimas, hearing of these rumors when he visited The Dalles in September went alone to know what the truth of the matters were. He never returned. It was later learned that he was killed while returning to The Dalles by order of Kamiakin and at the hands of his nephew Owhi. It was also reported that Kamiakin was determined with war and that no American would be allowed to come into his country; also, all tribes were invited to join him and that those who refused would be considered an enemy. It was certain that war was coming.
Maj. Granville Haller was ordered from Ft. Dalles to pass into Yakima country. Haller's 102-man force left on October 3 equipped with a mountain howitzer and 600 extra rounds of ammunition. His route took him pass the Klickitat and Simcoe Valleys to a point about 60 miles north of Ft. Dalles and where the Ahtanum Catholic Mission stood.
On October 6th the force crossed into the Simcoe River Valley and was met by a large group of Indians. Orders were given and US forces charged and took possession of a high ridge. Once the ridge was taken troops were positioned to take advantage of the ridge. Capt. D A Russell made another charge to dislodge Indians from his front which took all day before it was finally abandoned by them.
After collecting the wounded Haller's command advanced about a mile, to a higher ridge, where it would be more defensible in case of night attacks. While Indians moved about and made preparations for an attack no attack occurred.
The next day US forces were nearly surrounded by 700-800 Indians which attacked all day. US troops fought without water and little food. That night, taking advantage of an opening in the Indian line, Haller sent a messenger back to The Dalles telling of the situation and the need for reinforcements. Also, plans were made to retreat. Horses that were not needed were turned loose and baggage was destroyed; the howitzer was spiked and buried.
Early on the 8th the small force, showing an effective force of about 45 men (plus wounded), headed by towards The Dalles. Pursued by the Indians the military, near sundown, turned and attack. They were not attacked again.
About 25 miles north of The Dalles they were met by a 45 man force of Lt. Day. Seeing the force in retreat Lt. Day proceeded to the border of Yakima country merely to keep up a show of activity on the part of the army.
On October 11 Governor George Curry of Oregon issued a proclamation calling for eight companies of mounted volunteers. By November 7 this force, along with regular army troops, were in Yakima country and by the 8th they had engaged in their first engagement. Under the command of Maj. G. H. Rains these forces were equal to the Indians but were unsuccessful in defeating them. Later with the first snow the Indians had scattered and Maj. Rains returned to The Dalles and then himself went to Vancouver Barracks to report to Gen. John Wool; Rains arrived on November 24. The only success of Rains' expedition was the burning of St. Joseph's Mission at Ahtanum by volunteer forces. The Mission was burned because a barrel of gunpowder was found buried in the potato patch; this gave "proof" that the Catholic priests were working and aiding the Indians. The true reason the gunpowder was buried was because the priest were trying to hide if from the Indians.
•