View of the site where the united states army slaughtered more than 700 native american horses near the spokane river in washington territory in the united states, on september 8, 9, and 10, 1858. Gustav sohon, artist. During the coeur d'alene war of 1858, the united states army defeated an alliance of native american tribes near spokane plains on september 5. Pursing the remnants of the enemy force to the south, the army captured more than 700 horses belonging to the tribes on september 7. Colonel george wright decided to punish the tribes for their uprising by killing all the horses -- which would deprive the natives of their ability to hunt and move to winter quarters (as well as make war). This would cause severe privation, even starvation, during the winter. Horrified by wright's action, the tribes surrendered over the next several days. The mullan road, built from 1859 to 1861, followed wright's trail and passed by this site. Date: 1863.
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