The Battle of Tohotonimme (Pine Creek)

Some of the many historical sites in the Town of Rosalia include a historical state park and a monument (pictured above) erected in 1914 by the Daughters of the American Revolution in honor of the Calvary and Native Americans that lost their lives in a battle known as Steptoe Battle.

Colonel Steptoe led a party from Fort Walla Walla on his way to Colville to help settlers up there and also to find the murders of two local miners.  This party was led by Chief Timothy and other members of the Nez Pierce Tribe.  As this expedition neared what is now the site of the Town of Rosalia, they were met by resistance from a force of members from different tribes. "[A] number of chiefs rode up to talk with me, and inquired what were our motives to this intrusion upon them.  I answered that we were passing on to Colville, and had no hostile intentions.." -Col. Edward J. Steptoe

This force included the Coeur D' Alenes', Palouse, Spokane, Cayuse, and Yakima.  "..If you are going to Colville on a peaceful mission, why do you have so many men all carrying rifles, with a fully loaded pack train, and with large guns?  Why didn't you go straight to Colville instead of coming around this way?..." -Chief Vincent, Coeur d'Alene Tribe

The expedition was surrounded and attacked, many soldiers and Indians lost their lives fighting this fierce battle.  The Chief Timothy was able to lead the party, under the cover of darkness, out of danger and back to Fort Walla Walla.  "We dismounted and picketed our horses close together on the center of the flat, inclined summit, and posted our men around the crest, making them lie flat on the ground, as the Indians were so close and so daring as to attempt to charge the hill." -Lt. David Gregg

Colonel Steptoe was defeated and eventually went back to Lynchburg, VA where he is laid to rest.