SEATTLE
On warning from some friendly Indians that an attack was about to take place some 50 settlers barricaded themselves in a blockhouse at Cherry St. and 1st. Ave. Then on January 26, 1856 Indians attacked the settlers.
Capt. Guert Gansevoort, commanding the USS Decatur, landed his contingent of Marines early in the morning and they fired a howitzer shell towards a suspected Indian position on the crest of First Hill around 8:30 AM; the Indians at that position returned fire. Also, the Decatur added fire support to the settlers and Marines throughout the day.
With a break for lunch, around noon, exchanges of fire continued until around 10 PM when the attackers retreated towards Lake Washington. Two settlers were killed and Indian casualties are estimated from 200 to 1000 killed; however, no bodies were found to verify any claims.
Gov. Issac Stevens, and others, blamed the attack on Nisqually Chef Leschi and Yakima chief Owhi. In late September 1856 Owhi was killed at Ft. Walla Walla while trying to escape. Leschi was later captured and hanged at Ft. Steilacoom on February 19, 1858.
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