The Department of the Columbia was a major command (Department) of the United States Army during the 19th century. Formation 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, subordinate to the Department of the Columbia, was formed 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 Posts in the Military Department of Columbia 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