Washington Governor Isaac Stevens.
Governor Isaac Stevens hosted the Second Walla Walla Council between September 8 and 18, 1856, to attempt peace and end the Yakima War. The Council failed, and after leaving the meeting grounds, Stevens’ party was attacked by a group of young warriors from several of the tribes present at the Council led by Qualchan and Quit-ten-e-nock.
Troops under Colonel Edward Steptoe repelled the attackers. After the second Walla Walla Council, General John Wool, in command of the Department of the Pacific, closed the territory beyond The Dalles to white migrants and ordered Colonel Steptoe to keep settlers from returning to the Walla Walla Valley. Following this, armed conflict east of the Cascades cooled until the spring of 1858.
Compiled by Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated April 2024.
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