Battle of Seattle (1856)

The Battle of Seattle (1856) was a conflict that took place on January 26, 1856, between allied Native American tribes and the settlers and militia of Seattle, Washington Territory. The battle was part of the Puget Sound War, a wider conflict between the United States and various tribes of the region.

The Native American forces, composed primarily of warriors from the Duwamish, Snoqualmie, and allied tribes, launched an attack on the settlement of Seattle in an attempt to drive out the encroaching settlers. The settlers, numbering around 250, had been warned of the impending attack and were prepared, having constructed a blockhouse and relying on the support of the U.S. Navy sloop-of-war Decatur, which was anchored in Elliott Bay.

The battle raged for much of the day. The Decatur provided significant firepower, shelling the surrounding forest and preventing the Native American forces from overwhelming the settlement. Settlers and militia also defended the blockhouse and other strategic positions. Despite their efforts, the Native American warriors managed to set fire to several buildings in the town.

By nightfall, the Native American forces withdrew, unable to dislodge the settlers. Casualties were relatively light on both sides, with a few deaths and injuries reported. Although the battle ended in a tactical victory for the settlers, it marked a significant escalation of the Puget Sound War and underscored the vulnerability of the region to Native American resistance. Following the battle, Seattle was temporarily abandoned as settlers sought refuge in Olympia. The Puget Sound War continued for several months after the Battle of Seattle before eventually waning.