The Department of the Columbia was a major command (Department) of the United States Army during the 19th century.
On July 27, 1865 the Military Division of the Pacific was created under Major General Henry W. Halleck, replacing the Department of the Pacific, consisting of the Department of the Columbia (replacing the District of Oregon) that now consisted of the state of Oregon and the territories of Washington and Idaho and the expanded Department of California.
Within the Department was the District of Boise, 1865-67 and District of Owyhee, 1867-69 that were engaged in the Snake War.
The Military District of Alaska, was formed, subordinate to the Department of the Columbia in 1867 following the purchase of Alaska. On March 18, 1868, the Army established the Department of Alaska under the Division of the Pacific. The Department of Alaska was discontinued on July 1, 1870, and Alaska was absorbed again by the Department of the Columbia.
In June 1875, the part of the Territory of Idaho that lay east of the extension of the western boundary of Utah, and including Fort Hall, was detached from the Department of Columbia and added to the Department of the Platte.
When the Military Division of the Pacific was discontinued on July 3, 1891. Each of its three subordinate departments including the Department of the Columbia, then reported directly to the War Department.
Commanders of the Military Department of Columbia
Brigadier General George Wright, July 27, 1865 – July 30, 1865
Colonel George Byron Currey, July 27, 1865 – November 20, 1865
Lieutenant Colonel John M. Drake, November 20, 1865 – December 22, 1865
Major General Frederick Steele, December 21, 1865 – November 23, 1867
Lieutenant Colonel George Crook, November 23, 1867 – August 8, 1870
Brigadier General Edward Richard Sprigg Canby, August 8, 1870 – January 1873
Colonel Jefferson Columbus Davis, January 1873 – September 1874
Brigadier General Oliver Otis Howard, September 1874 – January 1881
Brigadier General Nelson A. Miles, January 1881 – July 1885
Brigadier General John Gibbon, July 1885 – April 1891
Brigadier General August Kautz, April 1891 – January 1892
Fort Colville, Washington Territory, 1859–1882
Fort Steilacoom, Washington Territory, 1849–1868
Fort Dalles, Oregon, 1850–1867
Fort Vancouver, Washington Territory, 1853–1879
Fort Yamhill, Oregon, 1856–1866
Fort Walla Walla, Washington Territory, 1856–1911
Siletz Blockhouse, Oregon, 1858–1866
Post of San Juan, Washington Territory, 1863–1867
Fort Cape Disappointment, Washington Territory, 1864–1875 Fort Canby, 1875–
Fort Lapwai, Idaho Territory, 1862–1884
Fort Boise, Idaho Territory, 1863–1912
Fort Klamath, Oregon, 1863–1890
Fort at Point Adams, Oregon, 1863–1865 Fort Stevens, Oregon, 1865 - 1947
Camp Alvord, Oregon, 1864–1866
Camp Henderson, Oregon, 1864–1866
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
