Indians of the Nisqually tribe attacked white settlers in the area on October 29, 1855, as a result of their dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Medicine Creek that had been imposed on them the previous year, particularly angered that their assigned reservation curtailed the traditional fishing economy. The fort was headquarters for the U.S. 9th Infantry Regiment during this "Indian War" of 1855-56.
On October 29, 1855, Nisqually Indians launched an attack on white settlers in retaliation for their dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Medicine Creek imposed the previous year. They were especially angered by the restriction of their traditional fishing economy to a designated reservation. The fort was headquarters for the U.S. 9th Infantry Regiment during this conflict known as "The Indian War" from 1855 to 1856.