Frenchtown Historical Foundation

Turmoil in the Walla Walla Valley

The Battle of Walla Walla at Frenchtown, December 7–10, 1855

By Steve C. Plucker · January 2011

The following excerpts and first-hand accounts (FHA) are drawn from reports and diaries of those who took part in the Battle of Walla Walla, fought December 7–10, 1855, in the Walla Walla Valley. The work is organized day by day; each chapter below gathers the accounts bearing on that day’s events.

Chapter 0 Introduction
Overview of the sources, the Oregon Mounted Volunteers’ companies, and troop-strength charts.
Chapter 1 In the Beginning (Fort Dalles to Fort Henrietta)
The volunteers organize at Fort Dalles and march east to Fort Henrietta, November 1855.
Chapter 2 The March to the Walla Walla Valley
December 2, 1855 — Colonel Kelly’s column marches from Fort Henrietta toward Walla Walla.
Chapter 3 The Volunteers’ Arrival in the Walla Walla Valley
December 3, 1855 — The volunteers arrive to find Fort Walla Walla pillaged.
Chapter 4 A Day of Decision
December 4, 1855 — Tension builds at Hudson’s Bay Company’s Fort Walla Walla.
Chapter 5 Chief Peopeomoxmox and the White Flag of Truce
December 5, 1855 — Chief Peopeomoxmox comes in under a flag of truce.
Chapter 6 Return to the Mouth of the Touchet River
December 6, 1855 — The command finds the Walla Walla village deserted.
Chapter 7 First Day of the Battle of Walla Walla (The Death of Chief Peopeomoxmox)
December 7, 1855 — The battle begins; Chief Peopeomoxmox is killed.
Chapter 8 Second Day of the Battle of Walla Walla
December 8, 1855 — The second day of fighting along the Walla Walla River.
Chapter 9 Third Day of the Battle of Walla Walla
December 9, 1855 — The third day of the battle.
Chapter 10 Fourth Day of the Battle of Walla Walla
December 10, 1855 — The fourth and final day of the battle.
Chapter 11 The Aftermath
Casualties, the pursuit of the Nez Perce Trail, and the Frenchtown settlers.
Chapter 12 A List of Known Books and Documents About the Battle of Walla Walla
A bibliography of first-hand and secondary accounts consulted for this work.

Appendices

Muster rolls documenting French Canadian companies in earlier and related conflicts, contributed as reference material alongside Plucker’s manuscript.

Appendix A Company D Muster Roll, Cayuse War (1848)
The roster of Thomas McKay’s company in the Cayuse War, with Governor Abernethy’s 1847 proclamation.
Appendix B Muster Roll of Company K, First Regiment Oregon Mounted Volunteers (1855–56)
Captain N. A. Cornoyer’s company, mustered against the Yakima Indians, October 1855.