Battle Ground Washington Real Estate Battle Ground is a small town, with peaceful country living, nearby lakes, streams and forest service areas, which offer outstanding recreational opportunities. Battle Ground is also within commuting distance of the Portland metro area. The origin of the city's name comes from a battle...which never took place. In 1855, some Klickatat Indians escaped from Fort Vancouver. Captain Strong headed up the army in charge of bringing the Indians back to the fort. Upon meeting up with the Indians, the Indian chief, Chief Umtuch, promised Captain Strong that the Indians would return to the fort. There are different versions of what happened next, but Chief Umtuch was killed. Captain Strong allowed the Indians to bury the chief. He returned to the fort with the Indians' promise to return. The Indians did return, and for not forcibly bringing them back, Captain Strong was presented a petticoat for bravery and courage. This area later became known as "Strong's Battle Ground". The first known settler to homestead the Battle Ground area was John Tuke. In 1862, he chose the area near the hill now known as Tuke's Mountain for his farm.