Bear River Massacre
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Template:Battlebox The Bear River Massacre, also called the Battle of Bear River and the Massacre at Boa Ogoi, took place on January 29, 1863 between the U.S. and the Shoshone Indians at the confluence of the Bear River and Beaver Creek in present day Franklin County, Idaho. The U.S. was led by Col. Patrick Edward Connor and the Shoshone by Chief Bear Hunter.
Shoshone raids in Idaho Territory during the winter of 1862 prompted the U.S. to retaliate. Connor's troops traveled from Fort Douglas, Utah to Chief Bear Hunter's camp 120 miles north in early January.
At dawn, Connor's troops started to cross Bear River. Before everyone had crossed, some of the men made a frontal assault on the Shoshone which failed. Connor took control of the men and the troops forced the Shoshone into a ravine. The troops high on the hills shot at the warriors down below. This caused many of the Shoshone to die or run. The ones that ran were either killed or captured. The battle ended by mid-morning with a U.S. victory.
The U.S. lost 23 soldiers including one officer. The Shoshone bands lost between 200 and 400, including scores of women and children.
Sources
- The American Battlefield Protection Program (http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/id001.htm)
- An Early History of Franklin. (http://franklinidaho.org/History2.htm)
- Historic Marker at the site (http://www.UntraveledRoad.com/USA/Idaho/Franklin/H91/10ASign.htm)