u/IwantFakeShoesLmao

While at the time being as commander at Fort Walla Walla, Lt Col Steptoe set out with 150 troops in order to mediate a dispute between Colville settlers and natives. On May 16, 1858 while heading torwards a native camp Steptoe was warned he shouldn’t be there at all but he continued anyways. A Jesuit father eventually intervened and convinced Steptoe to turn around and when he did a shot went off killing a native man. The natives attacked in retaliation and they fought on hilltop after hilltop in a running battle. The army made a last stand on a hill top snd eventually using the cover or nighttime they escaped and headed back in the direction of fort walla walla. Colonel Steptoe was put on leave after this disaster till he retired.