[E]very precaution was taken to avoid, if possible, the shedding of blood. ‘The instructions of the commanding officer,’ writes the secretary of war, ‘were deliberately considered and carefully drawn, and he was charged not to allow any conflict to take place between the troops and the people of the territory, except only he should be called upon by the governor for soldiers to act as a posse comitatus in enforcing obedience to the laws.’