Between the years of 1855 and 1858, the Yakama Indians (spelled Yakima at the time) were living along the Columbia and Yakima Rivers on the plateau in central Washington Territory. Residing in an area that was “in the way” of white settlers, most particularly, miners looking for their fortunes, the first governor of the newly formed Washington Territory, Isaac Stevens, along with the Superintendent of Oregon Territory, Joel Palmer, sought to move the Yakama, as well as the Walla Walla, Umatilla, and Cayuse tribes on to reservations in 1855. Ceding in excess of six million acres to the U.S. government in exchange for $200,000, the Indians were promised that white miners and settlers would not be allowed to trespass upon their lands.

As the troops continued to flood the region, the Yakama united with the Walla Walla and Cayuse tribes, and a number of raids and battles took place. The last phase of the Yakima War, referred to as the Coeur d’Alene War or Palouse War, came in 1858 when a force under the command of Colonel George Wright was sent in to deal with the Indians. In September 1858, Wright’s troops defeated the Yakama and their allies in the Battle of Four Lakes near Spokane, Washington.