Upon completion of the railroad exploration expedition, Hodges was assigned again in 1854. While there, he served on a scouting expedition against the Snake Indians in 1855, as well as in the Army's Yakima Expedition in 1855. Leading that campaign were Major Gabriel J. Rains and Lieutenant Phillip Sheridan. The Yakima Expedition of 1855 did not end well for the Army, nor the Yacamas Indians. For his service, Hodges was promoted to First Lieutenant, and made an adjutant to Fort Vancouver's commander.
