Overview The American Military Against Alaska Native Display Alaska State Museum ~ Juneau, Alaska
Tlingit Armor
In the late 1700s, the best Tlingit warriors out for battle with impressive weapons & armor composed of wood, sinew, & leather, in layers similar to modern body armor.
The American Military against Alaska Natives
When the United States assumed control of Alaska in 1867, Alaska Natives did not give up claim to their land & waters.
But the new government denied Natives U.S. Citizenship & allowed settlers & businessmen to take their land & resources at will. The military ruled Alaska until 1884, without manpower, equipment or funding to do the job. The military strategy was to "show the flag" to intimidate Alaska Natives so they wouldn't interfere with commerce & development. The government contracted with religious missionaries to run Native schools & replace Native culture with American ways.
"Here we are out of the world a gunning for 'Big Injuns.' We have been laying off a village one mile long. 'Sitka Jack,' chief--says he has one thousand fighting men & don't care for us--will have to shell them out & knock their village about their ears to bring them down to their senses."
--Frederick Rockwood,
Revenue Cutter Corwin, Sitka 1877
The Navy Shells a Village
In 1882, the heavy hand of the U.S. military turned an accident & misunderstanding into a catastrophe for the Xutsnoowu Tlingit of Angoon. The Northwest Trading Company ran a trading post there, employing many residents, including Tith Klane, a shaman, who was accidently killed by an exploding harpoons gun. Following their tradition, the Tlingit demanded a restitution payment of two hundred blankets (which were used as currency), as well as several days off work to prepare a funeral & mourn their loss. Expecting resistance, they seized company property. The company's manager called for help from the Navy, claiming that non-Natives had been taken hostage. Without further investigation, Commander E.C. Merriman ordered the crew of the U.S.S. Adams, aided by the Revenue Cutter Thoams Corwin & an armed civilian vessel, the Favorite to shell & burn the village, canoes, & nearby storehouses that contained winter food supplies. Billy Jones, an eyewitness to the event, said six children were destroyed or stolen at gunpoint.
"They left us homeless on the beach. The people of Angoon nearly starved to death, all of them. How much we suffered."
--Billy Jones, eyewitness
***Top artifact
Explosive projectile
Dahlgren type artillery shell found in 1938 at Angoon, likely from the 1882 bombardment.
Gift of Harold E. Smith
Overview The American Military Against Alaska Native Display Alaska State Museum ~ Juneau, Alaska
Tlingit Armor
In the late 1700s, the best Tlingit warriors out for battle with impressive weapons & armor composed of wood, sinew, & leather, in layers similar to modern body armor.
The American Military against Alaska Natives
When the United States assumed control of Alaska in 1867, Alaska Natives did not give up claim to their land & waters.
But the new government denied Natives U.S. Citizenship & allowed settlers & businessmen to take their land & resources at will. The military ruled Alaska until 1884, without manpower, equipment or funding to do the job. The military strategy was to "show the flag" to intimidate Alaska Natives so they wouldn't interfere with commerce & development. The government contracted with religious missionaries to run Native schools & replace Native culture with American ways.
"Here we are out of the world a gunning for 'Big Injuns.' We have been laying off a village one mile long. 'Sitka Jack,' chief--says he has one thousand fighting men & don't care for us--will have to shell them out & knock their village about their ears to bring them down to their senses."
--Frederick Rockwood,
Revenue Cutter Corwin, Sitka 1877
The Navy Shells a Village
In 1882, the heavy hand of the U.S. military turned an accident & misunderstanding into a catastrophe for the Xutsnoowu Tlingit of Angoon. The Northwest Trading Company ran a trading post there, employing many residents, including Tith Klane, a shaman, who was accidently killed by an exploding harpoons gun. Following their tradition, the Tlingit demanded a restitution payment of two hundred blankets (which were used as currency), as well as several days off work to prepare a funeral & mourn their loss. Expecting resistance, they seized company property. The company's manager called for help from the Navy, claiming that non-Natives had been taken hostage. Without further investigation, Commander E.C. Merriman ordered the crew of the U.S.S. Adams, aided by the Revenue Cutter Thoams Corwin & an armed civilian vessel, the Favorite to shell & burn the village, canoes, & nearby storehouses that contained winter food supplies. Billy Jones, an eyewitness to the event, said six children were destroyed or stolen at gunpoint.
"They left us homeless on the beach. The people of Angoon nearly starved to death, all of them. How much we suffered."
--Billy Jones, eyewitness
***Top artifact
Explosive projectile
Dahlgren type artillery shell found in 1938 at Angoon, likely from the 1882 bombardment.
Gift of Harold E. Smith