The Battle of Bear River

The Battle of Bear River was fought in this vicinity on January 29, 1863, when Col. P.E. Connor led 300 California volunteers from Camp Douglas, Utah, against Bannock and Shoshoni Indians said to be guilty of hostile attacks on emigrants and settlers. The fighting engaged about 500 Indians, of whom 250 to 300 were killed or incapacitated, including about 90 combatant women and children. Fourteen soldiers were killed, and 4 officers and 49 men were wounded, of whom 1 officer and 7 men died later. Seventy-nine were severely frozen. Chiefs Bear Hunter, Sagwitch, and Lehi were reported killed. One hundred seventy-five horses and much stolen property were recovered, and 70 lodges were burned.

Preston, Idaho · United States