"In walking distance from the Idaho-Washington state line, just north of I-90, stands a lonely granite monument in an open field. It is a sad memorial to man's inhumanity.

A bad thing happened there 158 years ago this month.

It happened under the command of U.S. Army Col. George Wright (1803-1865) who ordered 700 soldiers to punish the Yakima, Spokane, Palouse, and Coeur d'Alene Indian tribes.

It was revenge for the defeat of Lt. Col. Edward J. Steptoe (1816-1865) and a small force of 164 mounted soldiers who were attacked in May 1858 by about 1,000 warriors from three tribes at the Battle of Pine Creek, near what is now Rosalia, Wash.

Up to 50 Indians were killed. Only seven soldiers died, with 13 wounded. For the Army however, that was excuse enough for what they would do next."

Get the Story:
Syd Albright: The day they killed the horses (The Coeur d'Alene Press 9/16)