William Bachelor Coltman was a politician, active in the early 19th century.
In response Lord Selkirk, the settlement's sponsor, captured Fort William, on Lake Superior, where the Northwest Company had its regional headquarters.
Coltman and John Fletcher were given commissions as Lieutenant Colonel and Major in the Indian Department, and sent to investigate.
The pair had to wait for spring of 1817 to set out, with a small contingent of troops.
When he arrived at the Red River Colony he concluded the Northwest Company traders had been fired in self defence.