Kake War
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The Kake War was the destruction in February, 1869, of three semi-permanent winter villages and two forts near present-day Kake, Alaska, by the USS Saginaw. Prior to the conflict, two white trappers were killed by the Kake in retribution for the death of two Kake departing Sitka village by canoe. Sitka was the site of a standoff between the Army and Tlingit due to the army demanding the surrender of chief Colchika who was involved in an altercation in Fort Sitka.
Quick Facts Date, Location ...
Kake War | |||||||
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Part of Department of Alaska | |||||||
Sloop-of-war USS Saginaw | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Jefferson C. Davis Richard Worsam Meade | Chief Tom | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
USS Saginaw | Tlingit villagers | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
1 Sloop-of-war | three villages and two wooden forts | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
2 traders killed and 1 soldier injured |
3 Tlingit killed and 5 wounded prior to conflict Possibly one killed in burning of villages An undetermined number of starvation deaths due to loss of winter suppliers | ||||||
Close
The loss of winter stores, canoes, and shelter led to several Kake deaths during the winter. The Kake did not rebuild the small villages destroyed. Some dispersed to other villages, while others remained in the vicinity of Kake, eventually rebuilding the present day Kake.