Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
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After the Battle of Walla Walla, Gov. Stevens, with his volunteers, took charge of the valley. Hostilities between Stevens and the Indians continued throughout 1856. By his own hostile feelings Stevens was constantly stirring up hostilities in the Indians and the murderous Indians were to be hung and punished for fighting for their beloved valley.

Whites did not see themselves as the aggressors into lands that did not belong to them. They were here to get the land even if they had to kill to do it.

By summer Stevens could see the situation was serious, things had gotten out of hand and could not continue. He decided to call a second council to negotiate. The Indians however had gone to root grounds.

Volunteers could not wait for a council and in July, under the guidance of Nez Perce scouts, attacked and massacred a camp of Cayuse women and children. Stevens got off a glorified victory report to Washington.

On Sept. 11, 1856, the second council opened. Indians attending were Walla Walla, Cayuse, Yakama, Palouse Umatilla, Deschutes, John Day and Nez Perce.

This large, angry mob, other than Nez Perce, not only verbally attacked Stevens and volunteers for the brutal murder of Peupeumoxmox and the massacre of innocent women and children, but also the upper Nez Perce who supported Stevens and were responsible for many Cayuse deaths.

The council suddenly ended with Stevens being run out of the valley and a fortified blockhouse built at Steptoe Encampment. Col. Wright, seeing the necessity of renegotiations, called a third council in November, but Indians had gone to winter camps.

The Walla Walla Valley was declared off limits to settlers and by Steven's own actions, Wright, Wool and Nesmith considered the treaty null and hoped it would not be ratified.

Wright told the Indians to go back to their homes, that they had the same rights to their country as they had before, and the war went farther north.

The valley was reopened for settlement in the fall of 1858 after Wright had washed the Bloody Shirt and the treaty was ratified in March 1859.

On Dec. 23 and 24 - the Walla Walla Valley Indians were rounded up and put on wagons furnished by whites, who asked the cavalry to escort them to the reservation, and told them to stay there or they'd be shot.

Merry Christmas, peace on earth, goodwill to all men.

Seattle