Bear River Expedition
Encyclopedia
The Bear River Expedition took place between June 12 and October 18, 1859. Led by Major
F. J. Porter, Company "G" from Camp Floyd
was sent to investigate an incident between Native Americans and immigrants traveling on the California Trail
, where it was claimed that the native peoples had murdered the travelers on that trail.
2nd Lieutenent E. Gay, under the command of Major Porter, encountered a group of Shoshone
in Devils Gate Canyon in Weber County, Utah
in what was at the time the Utah Territory
and assumed that this was the same group involved in the incident he was sent to investigate. Leading a group of 42 men and some light provisions, he made an attack upon the encampment of what he estimated to be between 150 and 200 Shoshone warriors. In the official report, Lt. Gay claims to have killed 20 "indians" and about 6 of his men were wounded in the action, but there were no American soldier deaths.
The expedition continued on to the California Trail, where Major Isaac Lynde took over command.
While in what was is today called Idaho
, they encountered Chief Pocatello and had him arrested under suspicion of property theft and being responsible for the murder of several travelers on the road. Pocatello was eventually released after being cleared of the charges, and a meeting was arranged with the elder leaders of some of the surrounding tribal groups.
Other minor encounters with the native inhabitants of the area continued, and eventually the expedition returned to Camp Floyd satisfied that the issue had been resolved.
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
F. J. Porter, Company "G" from Camp Floyd
Camp Floyd
Camp Floyd was a short-lived U.S. Army post near Fairfield, Utah, United States. The site is now a Utah state park known as Camp Floyd / Stagecoach Inn State Park and Museum.-Camp Floyd:...
was sent to investigate an incident between Native Americans and immigrants traveling on the California Trail
California Trail
The California Trail was an emigrant trail of about across the western half of the North American continent from Missouri River towns to what is now the state of California...
, where it was claimed that the native peoples had murdered the travelers on that trail.
2nd Lieutenent E. Gay, under the command of Major Porter, encountered a group of Shoshone
Shoshone
The Shoshone or Shoshoni are a Native American tribe in the United States with three large divisions: the Northern, the Western and the Eastern....
in Devils Gate Canyon in Weber County, Utah
Weber County, Utah
Weber County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah, occupying a stretch of the Wasatch Front, part of the eastern shores of Great Salt Lake, and much of the rugged Wasatch Mountains. As of the 2000 census, the population was 196,533, an increase of 24.1% over its population in 1990. By...
in what was at the time the Utah Territory
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
and assumed that this was the same group involved in the incident he was sent to investigate. Leading a group of 42 men and some light provisions, he made an attack upon the encampment of what he estimated to be between 150 and 200 Shoshone warriors. In the official report, Lt. Gay claims to have killed 20 "indians" and about 6 of his men were wounded in the action, but there were no American soldier deaths.
The expedition continued on to the California Trail, where Major Isaac Lynde took over command.
While in what was is today called Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, they encountered Chief Pocatello and had him arrested under suspicion of property theft and being responsible for the murder of several travelers on the road. Pocatello was eventually released after being cleared of the charges, and a meeting was arranged with the elder leaders of some of the surrounding tribal groups.
Other minor encounters with the native inhabitants of the area continued, and eventually the expedition returned to Camp Floyd satisfied that the issue had been resolved.
External links
- Appendix. CIRCULAR-PUBLICATION COMMITTEE. THE MILITARY SERVICE INSTITUTION, GOVERNOR'S ISLAND, N. Y. H., Nov. 10, 1889. Reproduced at the United States Army Center of Military History.
- Many Of America's Wars Remembered By Very Few: United States Has Taken Up Arms On Average of Every Year and a Half During Entire National Existence by Mary Jane Moore.
- Deseret News links
- Sept. 21,1859: The Late Massacre Near Fort Hall, The Army and the Indian Massacres. http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/deseretnews2&CISOPTR=6019&REC=39&CISOSHOW=6020
- Aug. 17,1859: Army Intellegince, Indian Massacre,Indian Difficulties(2 articles), More Indian Difficulties, The Indian Massacre. http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/deseretnews2&CISOPTR=5767&REC=34&CISOSHOW=5768
- Aug. 24,1859: The Late Indian Difficulties(2 articles) http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/deseretnews2&CISOPTR=5808&REC=35&CISOSHOW=5809
- Aug. 31, 1859: The Indian War at the North. http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/deseretnews2&CISOPTR=5846&REC=36&CISOSHOW=5847
- Sept. 9, 1859: Indian Difficulties Again. http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/deseretnews2&CISOPTR=5915&REC=37&CISOSHOW=5916
- Sept.14, 1859: The Diffuculties North. http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/deseretnews2&CISOPTR=5962&REC=38&CISOSHOW=5963
- Oct. 19, 1859: The Indian War ended. http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/deseretnews2&CISOPTR=6287&REC=43&CISOSHOW=6288
- Oct. 19,1859: By California Mail(the condition of massacre survivor and rape victim)http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/deseretnews2&CISOPTR=6287&REC=43&CISOSHOW=6288
- Aug.3, 1859: Emigrant Cruelty and Indian Revenge.http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/deseretnews2&CISOPTR=5675&REC=32&CISOSHOW=5676