The Bear River Massacre, also called the Battle of Bear River or Massacre at Boa Ogoi, was an attack on a Shoshone encampment by the United States Army that occurred on January 29, 1863.
At that time, this area was the traditional hunting ground for the Northwestern Shoshone. Here, the tribe gathered grain and grass seeds, as well as fished for trout and hunted small and large game
However, as more travelers and settlers came through the area, it reduced their food supply and changed their lifestyle.
After years of skirmishes and food raids on farms and ranches, Colonel Patrick Edward Connor and about 200 California Volunteers attacked a Northwestern Shoshone winter village at the confluence of the Bear River and Beaver Creek (now Battle Creek) in what was then southeastern Washington Territory.
Approximately 250 Shoshone were slain, including 90 women and children. Chief Bear Hunter was killed along with sub-chief, Lehi.
Though the death toll was large, some Shoshone survived, including Chief Sagwitch who gathered survivors to keep his community alive. The remaining Shoshone then moved to a temporary encampment near Franklin, Idaho.
In the battle, the California Volunteers suffered 14 soldiers killed and 49 wounded, seven mortally.
The Bear River Massacre has been overlooked in the history of the American West chiefly because it occurred during the Civil War when a more important struggle was taking place in the East.
Requirement for logging:
In order to log this, you must:
1- Starting at the posted coords and going in a clockwise motion are a series of interpretive signs that describe the Shoshone and the massacre. Near the center of the series of sign there a rock with a picture of a cradleboard. Who created the sign, why and when was it placed? AND
2- Include in your log a picture of you or a personal item at or near the posted coordinated with some of the signage in the background.
Due to the nature of these requirements, if caching as a group each member must submit their own answer and photo.
Logs that do not meet these requirements will be deleted.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.