Their departure left Alaska virtually without a government. The last units departed Sitka on 14 June 1877. Despite these problems, the Army was able to prevent any serious problems from developing and facilitated the development of trade and commerce.īecause of needs elsewhere, the Army began withdrawing its units during the 1870s, and preparations were made to turn over their responsibilities to custom agents of the Treasury Department. The Army in turn was resented by both and, in the absence of any clear guidance from the federal government, experienced difficulties in carrying out its duties. During this period, the Army (in its civil-military role) was confronted with tensions between the native and white inhabitants. government in Alaska for the next ten years. In addition to Sitka, garrisons were established at Fort Tongass and Wrangell in southeast Alaska and on Kodiak Island and the Kenai Peninsula. In the absence of any form of civil authority, the Army assumed the role of governing and providing protection to the inhabitants and their property. Davis took command of the Military District of Alaska (later Department of Alaska), with headquarters at Sitka.
The event was observed by an honor guard from the 9th Infantry and 2nd Artillery Regiments, U.S. The American flag was raised amid the thundering of cannons. possession on behalf of President Andrew Johnson.
The official transfer ceremonies took place at 3:30 PM, 18 October 1867, when the Russians lowered their flag on Castle Hill, Sitka, Alaska, and Brig Gen Lowell H. On 30 June 1867, the United States signed a treaty with Russia to purchase the vast and largely unexplored land for $7,200,000.
"If we would provide an adequate defense for the United States, we must have.Alaska to dominate the North Pacific." With these words, Secretary of State William Seward argued with a reluctant Congress for the purchase of Alaska. Army to provide law and order during Gold Rush, further exploration and development of transportation and communications.ġ920-1940: Decline of military presence and recognition of Alaska's strategic importance.ġ940-1945: Buildup of forces and World War II.ġ945-1990: Cold War defense of Alaska, Arctic training and humanitarian services.ġ990-current: Strategic importance for force basing, increased emphasis on joint training and humanitarian services.ĭefense of Alaska, arctic training and humanitarian services. Coast Guard) until 1884 when Alaska's first civilian governor was appointed, and exploration of interior Alaska.ġ897-1920: Return of U.S. Army following purchase.ġ877-1897: Withdrawal of U.S. The military's presence since the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 falls roughly into seven periods:ġ867-1877: Occupation and administration by the U.S. Historically, Alaskans have sought to retain a strong military presence in Alaska. It is an isolated, sparsely-populated state, strategically located and adjacent to former enemies, Japan and the Soviet Union. Each is dependent on the other Alaska, in many ways, can still be considered a frontier. It is best described by Robert Atwood, former owner and publisher of The Anchorage Times and pioneer Alaskan, as that of a frontier community growing up around a military outpost. The civilian-military bond in Alaska has been a close one.