Battle on the Bear River

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Battle on the Bear River
Part of: Indian Wars
date January 29, 1863
place Franklin County, Idaho
output US Army victory (massacre)
Parties to the conflict

United States 34United States United States

Shoshone
Commander
Patrick Edward Connor
Chief Bear Hunter
Troop strength
about 300
about 300
losses
19 dead
48 wounded
384, including women and children

The battle on the Bear River , also known as the Boa Ogoi Massacre , took place on January 29, 1863, about 3 miles north of what is now Preston in Franklin County , Idaho .

Several attacks by the Shoshone under their chief Bear Hunter caused the Union army to strike back. In January 1863, several companies of cavalry and infantry, reinforced by two howitzers under Colonel Patrick Edward Connor, moved from Fort Douglas , Utah , to confront the Shoshone.

The Shoshone force consisted of about 300 warriors holed up in a ravine behind the Bear River .

Union troops arrived there shortly after sunrise on January 29th and immediately began to cross the river. This frontal attack could still be repulsed by the Shoshone and cost some soldiers their lives.

When Colonel Connor arrived shortly afterwards, he decided to surround the Indians instead and seal off both sides of the ravine in which the Indians were so that no one could escape. Then the Indians were shot at from above from the canyon walls and most of them were killed. Some warriors tried to save themselves by swimming across the icy Bear River, but were also caught and killed by soldiers on the opposite bank.

The Union troops not only shot almost all of the warriors, but also killed several women, children and old men. The remainder of the Shoshone were captured. Estimated casualties: 411 dead (US: 27, Shoshone: 384)

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ^ The War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume LXII, Part I, p. 185: Strength of the Union
  2. ^ The War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume LXII, Part I, p. 187: Strength of the Shoshone
  3. ^ The War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume LXII, Part I, p. 184: Losses of the Union

Web links

Commons : Battle of the Bear River  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 42 ° 8 ′ 46.3 "  N , 111 ° 54 ′ 50.5"  W.