Native Americans remember 'forgotten' massacre that left 450 dead in vicious attack during the Civil War

By Daily Mail Reporter
Published: 00:47 EDT, 30 January 2013 | Updated: 01:00 EDT, 30 January 2013

The Battle at Bear River is not one that the general public may have etched in their memories, but for the members of the Shoshone tribe of Native Americans, it is an incident that lives in infamy.
On Tuesday, descendants of the Shoshani Indians gathered near the site in present-day Idaho where hundreds of their relatives were slaughtered 150 years ago.
The Massacre at Bear River took place in 1863 when heightened tensions between the Native Americans and federal troops from the California reserves reached a tipping point.
Remembering those passed: Patty Timbimboo-Madsen is a descendant of one of the few survivors from the Bear River Massacre which took place in 1863
Remembering those passed: Patty Timbimboo-Madsen is a descendant of one of the few survivors from the Bear River Massacre which took place in 1863

Scene of the battle: The Massacre of Bear River pitted Union-supported soldiers of the California Volunteers against the Shoshone tribe
Scene of the battle: The Massacre of Bear River pitted Union-supported soldiers of the California Volunteers against the Shoshone tribe
On the morning of January 29, 1863, Colonel Patrick Connor led his troops from Fort Douglas, Utah towards the snow-covered plains near Shoshani chief Bear Hunter's camp near what is now known as Preston, Idaho.

The Shoshone Indians are a fairly well-known tribe with descendants in Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and California. One of their most famous members was Sacagawea who accompanied storied explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in the early 1800s.
Shoshoni: Chief Sagwitch (left with his wife) was shot twice in the hand, attempted to ride off by horseback before the horse was shot, and then the swam out to safety via a hot spring
sacagawea
Shoshoni: Chief Sagwitch (left with his wife) was shot twice in the hand, attempted to ride off by horseback before the horse was shot, and then the swam out to safety via a hot spring. One of the most famous members of the Shoshoni Indians was Sacagawea (right)

Squad: Pictured are members of the California Volunteers, a crew of which fought against the Shoshoni tribe
Squad: Pictured are members of the California Volunteers, a crew of which fought against the Shoshoni tribe
Head: Colonel Patrick Connor lead the soldiers into the bloody attack
Head: Colonel Patrick Connor lead the soldiers into the bloody attack
In spite of the advancements made in the first half of the 19th century, the Massacre of Bear River was nowhere near a fair fight.
While the Native Americans had collected a few firearms from various raids on other villages, their weapons were nothing compared to the guns used by the soldiers.
Because this battle took place in the midst of the Civil War, Colonel Connor's men from the California Volunteers were armed with federally-issued guns.
The battle plan made it clear that the soldiers intended to amass as many casualties as possible.
They pressured the Native Americans into a ravine and, while standing from above, they shot at them below. As some tried to flee by diving into the freezing river, they also became targets.
All told, 384 members of the Shoshoni Indian tribe were killed and 67 soldiers died in the battle, according to Heritage Preservation Services.
In addition to fighters, many of the victims were women and children. A number of women were raped and assaulted by the soldiers.
Keeping traditions: Garth Bear (left) and Lance Tissidimit (right) sang a song during the memorial ceremony on Tuesday near Preston, Idaho
Keeping traditions: Garth Bear (left) and Lance Tissidimit (right) sang a song during the memorial ceremony on Tuesday near Preston, Idaho

Awareness: Jason Walker, the chairman of the Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, spoke about the Massacre at the remembrance ceremony
Awareness: Jason Walker, the chairman of the Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, spoke about the Massacre at the remembrance ceremony
One of the Chiefs who survived was Chief Sagwitch, and even he did not escape unscathed. He was shot twice in the hand, attempted to ride off by horseback before the horse was shot, and then the swam out to safety via a hot spring.
Chief Sagwitch’s son Beshup Timbimboo also made an incredible survival, as he was reportedly shot seven times but survived. One of his descendants who has kept their name was present at today’s memorial service.
Patty Timbimboo-Madsen tied an item of remembrance on to a tree at the memorial, keeping the legend of their massacre alive.