Mariposa War
Encyclopedia
The Mariposa War was a conflict between Native American
s and miner
s in California
that took place in the early 1850s.
The Mariposa War was sparked by the 1849 California Gold Rush
, the discovery of the gold forged a California Trail
which forked off southward from the Oregon Trail
. Thousands of hopeful gold seekers crossed this trail into northern California
, which at this point in time consisted of mostly Native Americans, and Californios (the descendants of early Spanish
settlers). By the end of May 1849, it is estimated that 40,000+ had entered Native American territory. This added diversity, with the land now containing many different immigrants from Mexico
, South America
, Europe
, Australia
, and China
. This international mix swelled California's non-Native American population from some 14,000 in 1848 to 200,000 in 1852.
The gold rush increased pressure on the Native Americans of California, miners forced Native Americans off their gold-rich lands. Many were pressed into service in the mines; others had their villages raided by the army and volunteer militia
. Some Native American tribes fought back, in the Mariposa War when the Ahwahneechees, and the Chowchilla in the Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley
led a raid on the Fresno River post of James D. Savage
, in December 1850.
In retaliation Mariposa County Sheriff James Burney lead local militia in a indcisive clash with the natives on January 11, 1851 on a mountainside near present day Oakhurst, California
.
An appeal to the Governor John McDougal for help led to the organization of the Mariposa Battalion
under "Major" James D. Savage, commanding companies led by Captain John J. Kuykendall, Captain John Boling, and Captain William Dill. Meanwhile a federal Indian commission, sought a peaceful solution. On March 19, 1851, the Commissioners signed a treaty at Camp Fremont
with six tribes. However, the Ahwahneechees and Chowchillas were absent, so the campaign against them began on March 19.
Captain Kuykendall's Company A went south to the King's
and upper Kaweah River
s and to the Tulare Valley. Arriving at the King's River, scouts located a large Chowchilla village. A quick march brought the troops of to the site, the Indians offered battle. Company A charged into their camp, routed and killed a number, while others were ridden down and taken prisoners. Kuykendall's Company pursued the fugitives, in a running flight, until compelled to leave their horses. This allowed the Chowchilla to elude pursuit. Kuykendall continued to the headwaters of the Kahweah River, but failed to locate the fugitives. A few days later, a Chowchilla delegation entered their camp to sue for peace. The offer of peace was accepted and arrangements were made to transport them to the reservation on the San Joaquin River
. Kuykendall returned to the Battalion camp on Mariposa Creek in early April.
Meanwhile, in their first campaign, the companies of Boling and Dill, followed the natives into the mountains, marching in rain, sleet and 3 to 5 foot snow drifts discovering the Ahwahneechees Yosemite Valley
refuge on March 27 but found few natives.
The second campaign began on April 13, against the Chowchillas, and destroyed their food stores, but again the natives were able to elude their pursuers. However, the death of their chief induced the Chowchillas to surrender and accept reservation status.
When the Ahwahneechees refused to come to Camp Barbour and make peace, a third campaign was launched against them. The Ahwahneechees were captured at Lake Tenaija (or Tenaya, named for their chief) on May 22, and forced to accept reservation life. The company escorted the natives to the reservation and returned to the Mariposa Creek post. On July 1, the Mariposa Battalion mustered out marking the end of the Mariposa War.
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
s and miner
Miner
A miner is a person whose work or business is to extract ore or minerals from the earth. Mining is one of the most dangerous trades in the world. In some countries miners lack social guarantees and in case of injury may be left to cope without assistance....
s in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
that took place in the early 1850s.
The Mariposa War was sparked by the 1849 California Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
, the discovery of the gold forged a 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...
which forked off southward from the Oregon Trail
Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail is a historic east-west wagon route that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon and locations in between.After 1840 steam-powered riverboats and steamboats traversing up and down the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers sped settlement and development in the flat...
. Thousands of hopeful gold seekers crossed this trail into northern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, which at this point in time consisted of mostly Native Americans, and Californios (the descendants of early Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
settlers). By the end of May 1849, it is estimated that 40,000+ had entered Native American territory. This added diversity, with the land now containing many different immigrants from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. This international mix swelled California's non-Native American population from some 14,000 in 1848 to 200,000 in 1852.
The gold rush increased pressure on the Native Americans of California, miners forced Native Americans off their gold-rich lands. Many were pressed into service in the mines; others had their villages raided by the army and volunteer militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
. Some Native American tribes fought back, in the Mariposa War when the Ahwahneechees, and the Chowchilla in the Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
led a raid on the Fresno River post of James D. Savage
Jim Savage
Jim Savage or James D. Savage, , California pioneer, 49er, businessman, American soldier in the Mexican American War, and commander of the California Militia, Mariposa Battalion in the Mariposa War, discoverer of the Yosemite Valley.-Early years:...
, in December 1850.
In retaliation Mariposa County Sheriff James Burney lead local militia in a indcisive clash with the natives on January 11, 1851 on a mountainside near present day Oakhurst, California
Oakhurst, California
Oakhurst is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Oakhurst is located on the Fresno River south-southwest of Yosemite Forks, at an elevation of 2274 feet...
.
An appeal to the Governor John McDougal for help led to the organization of the Mariposa Battalion
Mariposa Battalion
Mariposa Battalion was a California State Militia unit formed in 1851 to fight the Yosemites and Chowchillas in the Mariposa War.After a force under Mariposa County Sheriff James Burney was found unequal to the task of defeating the Indians, Burney made an appeal to Governor John McDougal for help...
under "Major" James D. Savage, commanding companies led by Captain John J. Kuykendall, Captain John Boling, and Captain William Dill. Meanwhile a federal Indian commission, sought a peaceful solution. On March 19, 1851, the Commissioners signed a treaty at Camp Fremont
Camp Fremont
Camp Fremont was a World War I-era military base located near Palo Alto, California. Construction started in July, 1917 and the post closed in September, 1919.-Location:...
with six tribes. However, the Ahwahneechees and Chowchillas were absent, so the campaign against them began on March 19.
Captain Kuykendall's Company A went south to the King's
Kings River (California)
The Kings River is a major river of south-central California. About long, it drains an area of the high western Sierra Nevada and the Central Valley. A large alluvial fan has formed where the river's gradient decreases in the Central Valley so the river divides into distributaries...
and upper Kaweah River
Kaweah River
The Kaweah River in the U.S. state of California flows westward from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada into the Central Valley. It rises in forks in the southern Sierra Nevada inside Sequoia National Park, the longest of which is the Middle Fork, about long...
s and to the Tulare Valley. Arriving at the King's River, scouts located a large Chowchilla village. A quick march brought the troops of to the site, the Indians offered battle. Company A charged into their camp, routed and killed a number, while others were ridden down and taken prisoners. Kuykendall's Company pursued the fugitives, in a running flight, until compelled to leave their horses. This allowed the Chowchilla to elude pursuit. Kuykendall continued to the headwaters of the Kahweah River, but failed to locate the fugitives. A few days later, a Chowchilla delegation entered their camp to sue for peace. The offer of peace was accepted and arrangements were made to transport them to the reservation on the San Joaquin River
San Joaquin River
The San Joaquin River is the largest river of Central California in the United States. At over long, the river starts in the high Sierra Nevada, and flows through a rich agricultural region known as the San Joaquin Valley before reaching Suisun Bay, San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean...
. Kuykendall returned to the Battalion camp on Mariposa Creek in early April.
Meanwhile, in their first campaign, the companies of Boling and Dill, followed the natives into the mountains, marching in rain, sleet and 3 to 5 foot snow drifts discovering the Ahwahneechees Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley in Yosemite National Park in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of California, carved out by the Merced River. The valley is about long and up to a mile deep, surrounded by high granite summits such as Half Dome and El Capitan, and densely forested with pines...
refuge on March 27 but found few natives.
The second campaign began on April 13, against the Chowchillas, and destroyed their food stores, but again the natives were able to elude their pursuers. However, the death of their chief induced the Chowchillas to surrender and accept reservation status.
When the Ahwahneechees refused to come to Camp Barbour and make peace, a third campaign was launched against them. The Ahwahneechees were captured at Lake Tenaija (or Tenaya, named for their chief) on May 22, and forced to accept reservation life. The company escorted the natives to the reservation and returned to the Mariposa Creek post. On July 1, the Mariposa Battalion mustered out marking the end of the Mariposa War.
See also
- California Gold RushCalifornia Gold RushThe California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
- American Indian Wars
- Lafayette Houghton BunnellLafayette BunnellLafayette Houghton Bunnell was an American physician, explorer, author, and an explorer of Yosemite Valley, born in Rochester, New York.-Biography:...
- MiwokMiwokMiwok can refer to any one of four linguistically related groups of Native Americans, native to Northern California, who spoke one of the Miwokan languages in the Utian family...