WashingtonWars.net
From the time Washington became a Territory, on March 2, 1853, until it became a State, on November 11, 1889, there have been many wars, battles and incidents and this territory was baptized in blood with the dead and wounded of many soldiers, Native Americans and settlers. Starting with President Thomas Jefferson this region was desired by the Federal government and successive administrations worked towards the goal of making this part of the United States.
Despite the fact that most of the military conflicts and events here are not as famous as those of the rest of this country it is important to remember them if for no other reason then they are not usually mentioned in US history textbooks. It is because of these conflicts that statehood was not achieved for a long time.
There have been many military men who had served in Washington Territory before they went on to fame and being mentioned in history books. However, a few did much for this area and never will make it outside of regional history books (if they make it into history books at all).
This site will is intended for teachers, students and others to learn something about the battles and the military men who fought them. This is not a complete history of the battles and wars but some of the major highlights of them and their causes.
There are two things that should be remembered about the Indian wars of 1855-58. The battles from the attack on Maj. Granville Haller's command, in 1855, to the final battle of Col. George Wright's command, in 1858, are part of the same war. The end of 1856 saw only a cease fire and an uneasy truce which was broken in May of 1858. The battles fought around the Territory are one war called the Yakama War.
The second thing to remember is that for many years historians have referred to the Steptoe-Wright campaign of 1858. This gives acceptance to the false notion that the Army had a plan to battle the Indians and that Steptoe's movement northwards was part of that plan. The correct name for the expedition of September 1858 should be called the Wright-Garnett campaign.
These pages are dedicated to Col. Granville Owen Haller; one of the many men who helped shaped this region and never received the recognition that he deserves. Also, to all who were born in Washington Territory or State and served in the military.
If I have forgotten anyone, battle, photograph or marker first accept my apologies and then send me an email so I can add to this site. Also, if you see any errors please send me a note and why you believe it is an error. Thank you.
Notes: When GPS locations are given for monuments it should be noted that it is only an approximate location due to differences in GPS units. The numbers used for this website are taken with the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and used with a Garmin® unit.
Also, while parts of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming were part of Washington Territory I have decided to leave the wars in their areas out of these pages unless they are related to Washington.
You are free to use this site for academic or informational purposes; I do request that you please write and tell me what it is and how you used this site. Also, I request any photos used (DO NOT LINK PHOTOS AS IT TAKES AWAY BANDWITH) from this site have the line "Courtesy Washingtonwars.net" Thanks.
IN THE NEWS!!!!!
This site was mentioned in the Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA) on August 13, 2006. We're near the bottom of the article where it says "On the Web."
Washingtonwars.net is involved in historic preservation and education. Check it out! (October 2006)
We have opened up an online store to help support this site. Check it out and thanks for your support.
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