Researched by Ghosts of Idaho
A
brief history of The Bear River Massacre
The brief history was compiled from Civil War Idaho, and
Utah history sites. For more information search for Bear
River Massacre on any search engine.
The
Bear River Massacre, also known as The Massacre at Boa
Ogoi(the Shoshoni name), occurred on January 29, 1863
near present day Preston, Idaho.
According
to some sources, the massacre stemmed from Shoshoni raids
during the winter of 1862-63. Colonel Patrick Edward Connor
and about 200 California Volunteers set out from Fort Douglas,
Utah on a 120 mile trek through deep snow to retaliate.
Shortly after dawn on January 29, Connor's troops appeared
across the river and began crossing. Before all of the men
had crossed and Connor had arrived, some troops made an
unsuccessful frontal attack which led to numerous Volunteer
casualties. When Connor took control, he sent troops to
where the ravine emerged through the cliffs. Some men covered
the mouth of the ravine to prevent any escape while others
moved down the rims, firing on the Indians below. This crossfire
killed many of the warriors. Some attempted to escape by
swimming the icy river where troops shot them. The battle
ended by mid-morning leaving 384 of the 450 Shoshoni Indians
and 67 Volunteers dead.
Of
the 384 Shoshoni Indians killed approximately 90 of these
were women and children
The
Ghost Story
In
the winter time one can see footprints in the snow and
hear babies crying in the field.
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