Fort Taylor (3)

 (1858-1858) - A U.S. Army post established in 1858 during the Yakima War at the direction of Colonel George Wright on the Snake River in Columbia County, Washington. Named for 1st Lt. Oliver Hazard Perry Taylor, 1st U.S. Dragoons, who was killed 17 May 1858 by hostile Spokane Indians. Abandoned in 1858.

History
Fort Taylor was established on 11 Aug 1858 by Captain Erasmus Darwin Keyes on the south bank of the Snake River where the Tucannon River entered the Snake River. The fort was located in a deep gorge lined with steep cliffs and laid out as a 640 acre military reservation. The Fort was built out with basalt rock and hexagonal log bastions.

On 18 Aug 1858 Colonel Wright arrived at Fort Taylor which by then held 190 Dragoons, 400 artillery men and 90 infantry. He then began his campaign against the hostile Spokane, Coeur d'Alene and Palouse Indians tribes. His campaign lasted just five weeks and was marked by victories in the field and summary executions of those deemed guilty or complicit in the Steptoe defeat.

The post was abandoned on 1 Oct 1858 at the end of the Indian hostilities.

Current Status
No remains at the mouth of the Tucannon River where it enters the Snake River, Columbia County, Washington. The actual site is thought to be under water at the mouth of the Palose River.

See Also:
 * Yakima War
 * Washington Blockhouses

Sources:
 * , page 837
 * ,page 189

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort Taylor
 * History Link - Forts of Washington Territory
 * Wikipedia - Fort Taylor