District of Oregon (military) facts for kids
The District of Oregon was a special military command area set up by the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was like a military department, helping the Union control and protect the Pacific Northwest region during the war.
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History of the District of Oregon
The District of Oregon was part of a larger military command called the Department of the Pacific. This bigger department was formed on January 15, 1861, when the U.S. Army reorganized its commands.
On the same day, the District of Oregon was created. It covered the same area as the earlier Department of Oregon. This included the state of Oregon (except for the southern parts near the Rogue River and Umpqua River) and Washington Territory. The main headquarters for the district was at Fort Vancouver in Washington Territory.
Later, on March 3, 1865, the district grew to include Idaho Territory. Idaho Territory had just been formed from the eastern part of Washington Territory. A few days later, on March 14, 1865, the District of Oregon was expanded again to cover all of Oregon state.
The District of Oregon didn't last forever. On July 27, 1865, a new command called the Military Division of the Pacific was created. This new division replaced the Department of the Pacific. It included two new departments: the Department of the Columbia (which took over from the District of Oregon) and the Department of California. George Wright, who was now a U.S. Army Brigadier General, was put in charge of the new Department of the Columbia.
Leaders of the District of Oregon
Here are the military officers who commanded the District of Oregon during its time:
- Colonel George Wright: January 15, 1861 – September 13, 1861
- Colonel Benjamin L. Beall: September 13, 1861 – October 23, 1861
- Lieutenant Colonel Albemarle Cady: October 23, 1861 – May 5, 1862
- Colonel Justus Steinberger: May 5, 1862 – July 7, 1862
- Brigadier General Benjamin Alvord: July 7, 1862 – March 23, 1865
- Colonel Reuben F. Maury: March 23, 1865 – June 27, 1865
Military Bases in the District of Oregon
The District of Oregon had many military posts, forts, and camps. These were important places where soldiers lived and worked to protect the region and keep peace. Some of these locations changed names or were active for different periods.
- Fort Colville, Washington Territory, 1859–1882
- Fort Steilacoom, Washington Territory, 1849–1868
- Fort Dalles, Oregon, 1850–1867
- Fort Vancouver, Washington Territory, 1853–1879
- Fort Bellingham, Washington Territory, 1855–1860
- Fort Cascades, Washington Territory, 1855–1861
- Fort Yamhill, Oregon, 1856–1866
- Fort Townsend, Washington Territory, 1856–1861
- Fort Walla Walla, Washington Territory, 1856–1911
- Fort Hoskins, Oregon, 1857–1865
- Siletz Blockhouse, Oregon, 1858–1866
- Camp Pickett, Washington Territory, 1859–1863
- Post of San Juan, Washington Territory, 1863–1867
- Camp Chehalis, Washington Territory, 1860–1861
- Camp Baker, Oregon, 1862–1865
- Camp Barlow, Oregon, 1862
- Camp Clackamas, Oregon, 1862
- Post at Cape Disappointment, Washington Territory, 1862–1864
- Fort Cape Disappointment, Washington Territory, 1864–1875
- Camp Lapwai, Idaho Territory, 1862
- Fort Lapwai, Idaho Territory, 1862–1884
- Fort Boise, Idaho Territory, 1863–1912
- Post at Grand Ronde Indian Agency or Fort Lafayette, Oregon, 1863
- Fort Hall, Idaho Territory, 1863–1865
- Fort Klamath, Oregon, 1863–1890
- Fort at Point Adams, Oregon, 1863–?
- Camp Alvord, Oregon, 1864–1866
- Camp Dalgren, Oregon, 1864
- Camp Henderson, Oregon, 1864–1866
- Camp Lincoln, Oregon, 1864
- Camp Maury, Oregon, 1864
- Camp Russell, Oregon, 1864–1865
- Camp Watson, Oregon, 1864–1869
- Camp Colfax, Oregon, 1865, 1867
- Camp Currey, Oregon, 1865–1866
- Camp Lander, Idaho Territory, 1865–1866
- Camp Logan, Oregon, 1865–1868
- Camp Lyon, Idaho, 1865–1869
- Camp Polk, Oregon, 1865–1866
- Camp Reed, Idaho Territory, 1865–1866
- Camp on Silvies River, Oregon, ?
- Camp Wright, Oregon, 1865–1866
- Old Camp Warner, Oregon, 1866–1867
- Camp Warner, Oregon, 1867–1874
See also
