The Bear River Massacre took place on January 29, 1863 at the confluence of the Bear River and Beaver Creek, at the north end of Cache Valley, where Shoshone Indians were encamped. U.S. troops under the command of Colonel Patrick Edward Conner attacked and killed all 300 of the Indians except a small number who escaped. 14 of the soldiers were killed. The U.S. troops came from Fort Douglas (then Camp Douglas) near Salt Lake City, Utah and consisted of California volunteers. The event occurred on a bitter cold winter day. Complaints about Indian raids on Mormon settlements led to the decision to send the troops.
The decision to kill all the Indians, including women and children, has invited criticism and bitterness over the brutality of the incident. In his decision about this, Colonel Connor made the infamous remark, "Kill everything, Nits make Lice". On the other hand, the raids on the settlements had grown unbearable, and the Indians had made known their intention to kill the settlers, or drive them from the land.
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Last updated: 10-17-2005 18:07:38
