Updated Battlefield Information
Special thanks to Eastern Washington University for the following information:
There is now a map with driving instructions for those who wish to take a car tour of the running battle. This file in PDF format can be found here and is 4.5MB in size. Additionally there is a Brochure with a history of the Steptoe Battlefield, also in PDF format that can be found here and is 6.5MB in size.
Eastern Washington University with a grant from the National Park Services' American Battlefield Protection Program has created a survey of the battlefield with historical context, maps, and a good narration of the battle. This document can be found here, and is provided in PDF format. The file is quite large (approximately 13MB).
Overview
Many contradictory accounts, both oral and written, have been made concerning the Steptoe Battle by Native Americans and non-Natives. For instance, there are differences in reporting the number of participants in the battle, we know Colonel Edward J. Steptoe’s report of May 25, 1858 states that he set forth on May 6th for Fort Colville with company C, E and I-I of the 1st Dragoons and E company of the Ninth Infantry - with 5 company officers, 152 enlisted men and several Nez Perce scouts.
Half way to their destination, Steptoe and his troops found their route had taken them into Coeur D’Alene tribal lands - in direct conflict of the Indian Treaty of 1855.
On May 16, 1858 just north of Rosalia, they encountered an estimated 600 to 1,000 members of the Spokane, Yakima, Palouse, Cayuse and Coeur D’Alene Tribes. A battle ensued late morning of that day into the late afternoon of the 17th.
The evening of May 17th, conflicting stories indicate that either Steptoe and his men escaped on their own or (by Native American accounts), the tribes under Chief Vincent of the Coeur D’Alenes gave Steptoe a safe passage for a late night get-away.
Final casualties: 5 U.S. soldiers, 2 officers, 3 Nez Perce scouts and plus or minus 30 dead horses and mules. Although the opposing side lost more men (9 to 50 or more) this battle was declared one of the last Native American victories in the Northwest.
The Town of Rosalia was established near the battle site in 1872, one year after Congress passed the Indian Appropriations Act moving the tribes onto reservations, opening the lands to the many settlers streaming in from the East.
In 1908 in a dedication ceremony, Rosalia donated the site to the Esther Reed Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who in turn following the erection of the monument on Flag Day - June 14, 1914 transferred the site to Whitman County.
In 1950, the site was transferred to Washington State Parks and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Rosalia celebrates Battle Days every year since 1969 on the first weekend of June.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. |
| Picture 1: | The Battlefield Monument as it is today |
| Picture 2: | The Battlefield Monument Looking South (the abandoned Milwaukee Railroad bridge, visible in the background, is now part of the John Wayne Trail) |
| Picture 3: | The Battlefield as it was at the dedication of the Monument in 1908 |
| Picture 4: | The Battlefield Interpretive sign on Highway 195 |
| Picture 5: | View South from Battlefield including old Milwaukee Road Railroad Bridge |