The Battle of Steen's Mountain was a battle during the

Snake War Snakes are elongated, limbless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes . Like all other squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with several more joints ...

. In response to Paiute attacks in

Idaho Idaho ( ) is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canada–United States border with the province of British Columbia. It borders the states of Montana and Wyom ...

, Lt. Col. George Crook led a punitive expedition into southeast

Oregon Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...

, defeating Chief Howluck at the Battle of Owyhee River. Continuing his pursuit, Crook again encountered the Chief Paunina's Paiute village at Steen's Mountain. As Crook ordered the charge, his horse bolted and carried him through the native village.Michno 2003, p.194 Nevertheless, his men followed. Despite several close calls for Crook personally, his troopers' fire was accurate and inflicted heavy casualties. A month later Crook's men engaged in one final skirmish before Crook ended the expedition due to bad weather.

Notes

References

*
''The Snake War, 1864-1868''
Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series #236, 1966 Steen's Mountain 1867 in Oregon Steen's Mountain Steens Steen's Mountain {{US-battle-stub