The Battle of Pine Creek, also known as the Battle of Tohotonimme and the Steptoe Disaster,[2] was a conflict between United States Army forces under Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Edward Steptoe and members of the Coeur d'Alene, Palouse and Spokane Native American tribes.

Rumors that Lieutenant John Mullan would build a military road across their land fueled the outrage of tribes in the region.

Finally, in 1858, Palouse people killed two miners as an act of vengeance for crimes against fellow tribal members.

Fearing further violence, whites living at nearby Fort Colvile petitioned Steptoe for military protection.

His stated mission was to investigate the murder of the two prospectors and to demonstrate a military presence in order to calm the white settlers who were encroaching on Indian lands.

More warriors joined the battle, and soon Steptoe found himself under attack by more than a thousand Palouse, Spokane, and Coeur d'Alene people.

By early afternoon, Steptoe found himself defending against the attackers from a hill overlooking Pine Creek from the east.

[6] After the battle, Jesuits from the nearby Sacred Heart Mission traveled to Fort Vancouver in hopes of negotiating a peace agreement.

Steptoe's commanding officer, General Newman S. Clarke, demanded the surrender of all warriors who had participated in the battle and the restoration of all property captured.