Public reaction to the bombardment was instrumental to the passage of the First Organic Act of 1884 which transferred Alaska from military to civilian control.

Americans generally characterized the Tlingit legal framework as based on "revenge"; in actuality it was more complex and involved "peace ceremonies" which included compensation in either goods or human lives.

[4] On 22 October 1882, a harpoon gun exploded on the deck of a whaling ship operated by the Northwest Trading Company.

He stated Angoon natives had taken the Killisnoo facilities, including holding two white employees, and demanded a payment of 200 blankets in compensation for the death of Til'tlein.

[5][6][7] In 1949 and 1950, anthropologist Frederica de Laguna collected the story of Billy Jones, an Angoon resident who was 13 at the time of the attack.

[9][5] Merriman's force arrived at Angoon on 25 October, and the Tlingit released the white hostages and captured property.

[7] Merriman, demanded four hundred blankets from the Tlingit as a "punishment and guarantee of future good behavior"[7] to be delivered by noon the next day.

Jones's account and official documents agree that Merriman brought his ship to anchor outside the lagoon, and proceeded to shell the town.

Under the cover of the bombardment, marines landed and proceeded to destroy the houses of the village, forty canoes, and food stores.

[6] In the debate leading up to the act, Representative James Budd of California referenced Commander Merriman's role, stating "The Indians did not comply with this pre-emptory order of this royal dictator.

The ceremony was attended by community members, Navy representatives, and US Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, who had helped advocate for the apology.