Cayuse War facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cayuse War
Part of the American Indian Wars
Date 1847–1855 Location Oregon Country and Oregon Territory Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Cayuse
Commanders and leaders
Cornelius Gilliam Henry A. G. Lee James Waters	Chief Five Crows War Eagle
Strength
500 militia

The Cayuse War was a conflict that happened in the Northwestern United States. It lasted from 1847 to 1855. The war was fought between the Cayuse people and American settlers, supported by the U.S. Government.

One main reason for the war was the arrival of many new settlers. These settlers also brought diseases that harmed the Native American tribes. The war began in 1847 with an event called the Whitman massacre. This happened at the Whitman Mission near what is now Walla Walla, Washington. Fourteen people were killed there.

For several years, the Provisional Government of Oregon and later the United States Army fought against Native Americans east of the Cascade Mountains. This war was one of the first in a series of conflicts between Native Americans and settlers in the region. These events eventually led to talks between the U.S. and tribes of the Columbia Plateau. These talks created several Indian reservations.

Why the War Started

In 1836, two missionaries, Marcus Whitman and Narcissa Whitman, started the Whitman Mission. It was built among the Cayuse Native Americans at Waiilatpu. This site is about six miles west of modern-day Walla Walla, Washington.

Besides sharing their religion, the Whitmans also set up schools and mills. They taught the Cayuse about crop irrigation. Their work grew slowly at first. In 1842, Marcus Whitman got more support for the mission. The next year, he returned with about a thousand settlers moving to Oregon Country.

Growing Tensions

The sudden arrival of many American settlers caused problems between the Native Americans and the newcomers. This was often due to cultural differences and a lack of understanding. For example, the Cayuse believed that plowing the ground was disrespectful to the Earth's spirit. The settlers, who were farmers, did not agree with this idea.

The Cayuse also expected payment from wagon trains that crossed their land. These settlers often ate the wild foods that the tribes relied on. However, the settlers did not understand this custom. They often chased away the Cayuse men who came to ask for payment. The settlers thought these men were just "beggars."

The Whitman Massacre

The new settlers also brought diseases with them. In 1847, a measles sickness spread and killed half of the Cayuse people. The Cayuse suspected that Marcus Whitman, who was a doctor and religious leader, was responsible for these deaths. They thought he caused the sickness to make room for more settlers.

Because of this, Cayuse tribesmen attacked the mission on November 30, 1847. Fourteen settlers were killed, including Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. Most of the buildings at Waiilatpu were destroyed. Today, this site is a National Historic Site. After the attack, 53 women and children were held captive for several weeks. They were later released.

This event became known as the Whitman massacre. It was the direct cause of the Cayuse War.

The Fighting Begins

After the massacre, the Provisional Legislature of Oregon and Governor George Abernethy called for quick action. They allowed volunteers to form groups to fight the Cayuse Tribe if needed. A group of fifty volunteers was quickly formed. They were sent to The Dalles under the command of Henry A. G. Lee.

This group was called the Oregon Rifles. They formed on December 8, 1847. They then went to Fort Vancouver on December 10. There, they bought supplies from the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). The HBC would not give credit to the government. So, the soldiers promised to pay for the supplies themselves, hoping the government would pay them back later. The group's job was to protect the Wascopam Mission at The Dalles. They also aimed to stop any enemy forces from reaching the Willamette Valley. The governor also sent a peace group, which included Joel Palmer, Lee, and Robert Newell.

Militia Actions

The Oregon Rifles marched to The Dalles and arrived on December 21. There, they chased away a group of Native Americans. However, the Native Americans managed to steal 300 cattle. The troops then built a fort there. They named it Fort Lee after their commander. This small fort was also called Fort Wascopam.

In January 1848, a larger force of over 500 militiamen marched against the Cayuse. Colonel Cornelius Gilliam led them. These troops arrived at Fort Lee in February. With this larger force, the militia moved east toward the