The year 1858 marked a watershed moment in the history of the confrontation between Native American tribes in the Evergreen State and the growing interests of the United States government. Fur traders, missionaries, and gold hunters were followed by farmers and stock raisers, who were able to expand their domains at the expense of the tribes while they continued to trade with them. 
The tensions created by the situation prompted the white settlers to organize militias and, eventually, to request the assistance of U.S. military to protect themselves. Fights erupted around the Puget Sound shoreline, the Yakima Valley, and the Walla Walla Valley during the summer of 1855. 
By 1858, things had begun to quiet down. Thus, Colonel Edward Steptoe had no reservations about leading a small and weakly equipped column of men through the heart of Columbia Plateau Indian territory. 
A crushing defeat at the Battle of Pine Creek pushed him on to seek vengeance against those who had dealt him such a humiliating defeat. Few months after the Steptoe fiasco, Colonel George Wright led a major display of military power through the Spokane Valley, ultimately eliminating the Natives' ability and desire to fight the government.
Listen now to learn more!

A special thank you goes out to Al Hirsch for providing the music for the podcast, check him out on YouTube.
Find merchandise for the podcast now available at:     https://washington-history-by-jon-c.creator-spring.com
If you enjoy the podcast and would like to contribute, please visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Evergreenpod
If you have any questions, episode ideas you'd like to see explored, or just have a general comment, please reach out at [email protected]
To keep up on news for the podcast and other related announcements, please like and follow:
https://www.facebook.com/Historyoftheevergreenstatepodcast
Thank you for listening!