Department of Oregon facts for kids
The Department of Oregon was a special military area created by the U.S. Army on September 13, 1858. It was like a big district for soldiers to manage. This new department took the place of an older one called the Department of the Pacific.
The Department of Oregon included the areas that are now Washington and Oregon. However, some parts, like the Rogue River and Umpqua Districts, were given to the Department of California instead. The main office, or headquarters, for this department was at Fort Vancouver, which was in the Washington Territory.
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Who Was in Charge?
The first leader of the Department of Oregon was William S. Harney. He was a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army. He started his command in 1858 and stayed until June 1860.
Soon after he took charge, General Harney sent troops to San Juan Island. These soldiers were led by Captain George E. Pickett. This action caused a small conflict with Great Britain known as the Pig War. It was called that because the conflict started over a pig!
Because of these problems with the British, General Harney was called back in June 1860. The United States Secretary of War moved him to a different department. Colonel George Wright took his place. Colonel Wright was famous for winning battles in the Oregon Indian Wars.
On January 15, 1861, the Department of Oregon became part of the Department of the Pacific again. It was then known as the District of Oregon. Colonel Wright continued to be in charge of these same territories.
Important Army Posts
The Department of Oregon had many important army posts. These were places where soldiers lived and worked to protect the area. Here are some of the main posts in the different territories:
Posts in Washington Territory
- Fort Colville, Washington Territory (1825 - 1870)
- Fort Steilacoom, Washington Territory (1849 - 1868)
- Fort Vancouver, Washington Territory (1849-1879)
- Fort Bellingham, Washington Territory (1855 - 1860)
- Fort Cascades, Washington Territory (1855 - 1861)
- Fort Townsend, Washington Territory (1856 - 1861)
- Fort Walla Walla, Washington Territory (1856 - 1911)
- Camp Chehalis, Washington Territory (1860 - 1861)
- Camp Pickett, Washington Territory (1859-1863)
Posts in Idaho Territory (then part of Washington)
- Major Howe's Camp, Washington Territory (Idaho) (1860)
- Fort Hall, Washington Territory (Idaho) (1859 - 1860)
Posts in Oregon Territory
- Fort Dalles, Oregon (1850-1867)
- Fort Yamhill, Oregon (1856 - 1866)
- Fort Hoskins, Oregon (1857 - 1865)
- Siletz Blockhouse, Oregon (1858 - 1866)
- Camp Randolph (1859)
- Camp Owyhee, Oregon (1860)
- Camp Union, Oregon (1860)
- Camp Day, Oregon (1860)
