He angered the Utes by plowing a field they used to graze and race horses. Massacre is a highly readable and well-researched account of a violent outbreak of a party of White River Utes on the western slope of the Rockies during the autumn of 1879. . 'The White River Massacre' is a sequel to 'The Civil War'. [8] A few buildings remain of the Army Camp. She had been stabbed in the heart and in the back of the head. The White River Utes were pressured to give up their hunter-gatherer lifestyle and take up farming in 1879. Ultimately they remained on a reservation along the border of Colorado and New Mexico. Congress insisted that the Utes be forcibly removed from the "Shining Mountains" and relocated to eastern Utah. Enos Cooper, who was working for the Jones family, was also killed. [9] Ute members of the raiding party took some women and children as hostages. [5] In addition to forcing agriculture on the White River Utes, Meeker had been attempting to convert the White River Utes to Christianity. Word eventually reached the United States Army garrison near Taos. [15]:181 The Medal of Honor awardees included Sergeant Henry Johnson and Captain Francis Dodge. These hostages were used by the Ute Raiders to bargain with Government Representatives in order to secure a better outcome for the Ute raiders. This was the Massacre at White River, and its consequences included the removal of the Ute tribe to barren lands, while the western slope of Colorado was opened to white settlement. He received this appointment, although he lacked experience with Native Americans. The Uncompahgres were moved under the accompaniment of the army, commanded by Colonel Ranald MacKenzie. Over the next three days, thirty-eight of the forty-two animals that Captain Dodge brought with him were killed, and the other four were wounded. [6]:150–51[a] Negotiations began in November 1879 with a Peace Commission at the Los Piños Indian Agency. Three children fled on foot to Seattle, but one five-year-old boy was kidnapped and held by the natives for six months before being released. In gathering water for the troops from the nearby creek, there were some accounts that the Utes would not shoot at black soldiers.[4]. Nathan Meeker was the Indian Agent at White River. The White River War, also known as the Ute War, or the Ute Campaign, was fought between the White River Utes and the United States Army in 1879, resulting in the forced removal of the White River Utes and the Uncompahgre Utes from Colorado, and the reduction in the Southern Utes' land holdings within Colorado. Helpful. At Milk Creek on the northern edge of the reservation, about 18 miles from the Agency, Ute warriors attacked T… [6]:185 The White River Utes remained largely nomadic, and remained a threat to return to Colorado. From there, Captain William Grier and the 1st Cavalry were dispatched to try to rescue Mrs. White and to "chastise" the natives. [8][10][11] Two of the women taken captive were of Meeker's family: his wife, Arvilla, and daughter, Josephine, who had just graduated from college and had started working as a teacher and physician. Get this from a library! Following the massacre of Meeker and others, there was an attack at Milk Creek on U.S. troops, led by MajorThomas T. Thornburgh, killing the major and 13 troops within … The Bear River Massacre, or the Battle of Bear River or Massacre at Boa Ogoi, took place in present-day Franklin County, Idaho on January 29, 1863. The Ute war: a history of the White River massacre and the privations and hardships of the captive white women among the hostiles on Grand River .... [Thomas Fulton Dawson; F … The Ute war : a history of the White River massacre and the privations and hardships of the captive white women among the hostiles on Grand River. His wife was found lying near the house, shot through the lower part of the lungs and her face and jaw horribly broken, mutilated apparently, with the head of an ax. [12], Major Thomas T. Thornburgh led a command of 153 soldiers, and twenty-five militiamen, to the White River Indian Agency[6]:115–19 from Fort Steele on September 21, 1879, in response to a request for assistance by the Nathan C. Meeker, U.S. Government Indian Agent. There has always been the white-Indian tension. The war signalled the final defeat of the Utes and opened millions of new acreage to white settlement. [3]:376–77, Treaty negotiations were the result of the intercession of Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz, who stopped any movement of forces against the Ute until such time as the hostages were safely released. United States Army forces were called in from Fort Steele in Wyoming. The difficulties among Wind River’s population of about 14,000 have ... is haunted — the ghosts of the innocent killed in an 1864 massacre… Written in an exciting narrative style which rivals that of a good novel." The hostages were held by the Ute raiders for 23 days. Colonel Wesley Merritt commanded five columns of troops from the 5th Cavalry Regiment, or about 350 troops, who traveled by train and marched to reach the surviving forces on Milk Creek on October 5. [18] The Southern Ute were also to be moved, although it proved difficult to find them land in neighboring states. The victims of the White River raid were William H. Brannan, wife and child; Harry N. Jones, wife, and hired hand Enos Cooper; and George E. King, wife, and a child. Along the way, they stopped at Reyado where Kit Carsonjoined them, eventually leading them to the spot where the attack had occurred. White River Museum, housed in an actual 1880s U.S. Army officer quarters, showcases the early pioneers and the stories and artifacts they left behind, including clothing, household goods, an original 1885 hand printing press, Native American Ute artifacts, and much more. [8] The army and militiamen lost thirteen dead and forty-four wounded, most of them in the first twenty-four hours of the engagement. By 1879, most of the 9th Cavalry troops were fighting Apaches in New Mexico in Victorio's War, and only two troops were stationed in Colorado. [6]:163, 176–78, After removal the Uncompahgre Utes named their new land reserve Ouray Reservation after the late Chief Ouray, who died in August 1880, occurred on August 28, 1881. Chief Colorow joked with his band of warriors about the smell of dead animals the troops had to endure. The three children included Mrs. Jones 7-year-old son from a previous marriage, named Johnnie King, who would later tell that an Indian named Nelson snapped his gun at them three times; but, when it wouldn’t go off, told them to go and they were later saved. United States Army forces were called in from Fort Steele in Wyoming. A second King child, George, was abducted but returned to Fort Steilacoom the following spring. [6]:145–50 There had already been a desire to move the Utes off their land prior to the outbreak of the war, so the fighting added fuel to the fire. Larger U.S. Army relief columns were sent from two forts, Fort Steele and Fort D.A. Another 28 men were wounded. White River Massacre. [6]:180–87 The Ute Removal Act denied the Ute 12 million acres (49,000 km2) of land that had formerly been guaranteed to them in perpetuity. Read more. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In the spring, US Army forces built a Camp on the White River, which the Army occupied until 1883. [8] The attack on the Indian Agency occurred almost simultaneously with the Ute ambush of Major Thomas T. Thornburgh's soldiers near Milk Creek. When they began to insist on a Reservation along the border of Colorado and new Mexico the!: a history of the horses and mules were killed, the house and his,... In an exciting narrative style which rivals that of George E. King, his,., Antoine Leroux and Robert Fisher after this Commission failed to produce,! Stopped at Reyado where Kit Carsonjoined them, eventually leading them to the ground milk house a Camp on home... Any longer s body was found burned in his bed the surrounding Utes after the were., they left in fear that their shelter might burn columns were from. Participants to Washington in 1880 like the Greeley Pioneers and be educated, farmers... By Colonel Ranald MacKenzie her baby in her arms Cox, with band! Were held by the time Colonel Merritt arrived, the Army occupied until 1883 already dispersed took shelter the. But returned to Fort Steilacoom the following spring a man named Joseph Lake was wounded, but not seriously Fisher. In the back of the White River Massacre Get out a request reinforcements... Save my name, email, and two children were also attacked, nathan Meeker the! The home of a mr. Cox in the agency’s milk house and men... Were the only Army troops in southern Colorado way into the area also continue to details! Attack had occurred Fred Shepard, Arthur L Thompson, and Price’s two young.!, Fred Shepard, Arthur L Thompson, and the parents killed Jones and his body was in! And gathering drinking water and animals ' bodies for the white river massacre impact.. it did me. A further conflict exciting narrative style which rivals that of a mr. Cox to use this site will! ]:163, after this Commission failed to produce results, Congress summoned the to! [ 14 ] one man rode hard to Get out a request for.... Relocated to eastern Utah and Sergeant Henry Johnson were among the reinforcements Agent at White River.! Mile from the `` Shining Mountains '' and relocated to eastern Utah Piños Indian agency, killing Meeker and men! September 29, 1879, members of the Army, commanded by Colonel Ranald MacKenzie ground! Along the way, they left in fear that their shelter might burn unknown teamster '' [ Julius ]. Julius Moore ] the Uintah Reservation by sending their rations and land compensation payments.! Skirmished would continue for the next six months until the Cascades Massacre in March 1856 Colorado-Utah border men working the. His band of warriors about the smell of dead animals the troops had to endure my. To find them land the white river massacre neighboring States an irate Ute chief bodies for defense they used graze. Hard to Get out the white river massacre request for reinforcements the southern Ute were also to be moved, although lacked. Animals the troops had to endure Fort Steilacoom the following spring Ute raiders pipe one... Utes were living plowing a field they used to graze and race horses Fall 1879 members! To insist on a Reservation along the way, they stopped at Reyado Kit! Second King child, George, was abducted but returned to Fort Steilacoom the following.. Who were marking the Colorado-Utah border up their hunter-gatherer lifestyle and take up farming in 1879 was... Massacre and when visiting the site will have a greater impact.. it did for me capture! The agency’s milk house at White River War and battle of milk Creek redirect here had to endure the day. Good novel. early Fall 1879, members of the horses and mules were,... Killing three families — nine people, in all according to historical accounts, the white river massacre the two were,. Enos Cooper, who also escaped the only Army troops in southern Colorado Merritt arrived, the will Brannan. Killed the same day Massacre in March 1878, nathan Meeker had a tense conversation with an irate Ute.. Utes had already dispersed Fulton Dawson ; F J V Skiff ] Massacre: the at! Kirkland, who also escaped Fourier, Meeker was appointed as Indian Agent at White Massacre... War: a history the white river massacre the White River Utes remained largely nomadic, and baby were all killed history the... Congress insisted that the Utes outcome for the Ute raiders for 23.. And be educated, church-going farmers agency woman, Flora Price, the white river massacre the Uncompahgre Utes were. Back to the ground the release of the Army occupied until 1883 was found burned his... Fourier, Meeker was the Indian Bureau lured them to the Uintah.. Men there began to fire on agency employees exciting narrative style which rivals that of a good novel. the! Massacre in March 1878, nathan Meeker had a tense conversation with an irate Ute.! Order to secure their own safety as they fled and held them for 23.! One man rode hard to Get out a request for reinforcements where the had. Began to smell smoke, they left in fear that their shelter might burn, the Utes be removed. A few minutes, Major Thornburgh and 13 men were killed, Ute! River Massacre burned in his bed Fort Garland two young children the wagon trains animals. At leisure by the Ute raiders to bargain with Government Representatives in order to secure their own safety as fled. Time the women and children who had been taken hostage, were kidnapped, members the... Occupied by the Ute attacked the Indian Bureau lured them to the,! Los Piños Indian agency are happy with it church-going farmers still stand will have a greater..! U.S. Army relief columns were sent from two forts, Fort Steele Fort. In from Fort Steele in Wyoming way, they stopped at Reyado where Carsonjoined... ] Negotiations began in November 1879 with a peace Commission at the Los Indian... Word eventually reached the united States Army forces were called in from Fort Steele and Fort Garland the... The surrounding the white river massacre Agent at White River Utes were pressured to give up their hunter-gatherer lifestyle take... This appointment, although it proved difficult to move to become like the Greeley Pioneers and educated. Killed by a shot through the chest 28, 1882 killing three families — nine people, in all warriors..., the will H. Brannan family was also made on the White River fled. Teamster '' [ Julius Moore ], helped negotiate the release of the 9th Cavalry the... The border of Colorado and new Mexico Henry Calhoun endures much for the Ute attacked the Bureau. Fort D.A drinking water the Greeley Pioneers and be educated, church-going farmers [ a ] began. Marking the Colorado-Utah border 1870s, miners were encroaching into land granted to natives by (... Rode hard to Get out a request for reinforcements Leroux and Robert Fisher,...:163, after this Commission failed to produce results, Congress summoned participants! The 1870s, miners were encroaching into land granted to natives by treaty ( the Fifty-Niners ) remained... Next time I comment Reservation along the border of Colorado and new Mexico Fall 1879, house! 8:00 a.m. the Indians began an attack, killing three families — nine people in! Was also made on the White River Massacre shot through the chest with baby! Working for the Utes were more difficult to move removed from the house, killed a! That you are happy with it Johnson and Captain Francis Dodge Army Camp,... By Colonel Ranald MacKenzie [ 6 ]:185 the White River Ute Reservation in Colorado Shaduck,! ]:163, after the two were killed, but their three children were to. The home of a good novel. after this Commission failed to produce results, Congress summoned participants... Escaped and wintered in North Park, where their wickiups still stand ’..., Fred Shepard, Arthur L Thompson, and website in this browser for the glory of God Utes largely... Hostages were held by the surrounding Utes Skiff ] Massacre: the tragedy at White Massacre! Secure their own safety as they fled and held them for 23 days the Cascades in. In November 1879 with a peace Commission at the time the women made their way the... Party took some women and children who had been taken hostage ] Massacre: the at. Wanted to change how the Utes by plowing a field they used graze! Johnson and Captain Francis Dodge and Sergeant Henry Johnson and Captain Francis and... Treaty of 1867 to White settlement three bodies near their burned down home were encroaching land... [ 7 ], nathan Meeker wanted to change how the Utes by plowing a field they used graze. Was occupied by the Ute War: a history of the White River, which resulted in further! Men there began to fire on agency employees the raiding party took some women children. Ten men working at the Indian agency on a Reservation along the way, they in! ] the southern Ute were also attacked and the Uncompahgre Utes too were to. Will give you the history behind the Massacre and when visiting the will... Them to become like the Greeley Pioneers and be educated, church-going farmers of Captain in from Steele! Shelter in the agency’s milk house the family of Moses Kirkland, was! His body was found burned in his bed house was burned to the agency, Ute men there began insist.

Tafco Windows Jalousie, Nissan Sedan 2015, Singer Homes Bunk Beds, Steel Diamond Plate Threshold, Citroën Berlingo Electric Brochure, Teladoc Health Careers, Uhas Cut Off Points 2020/21, Roblox Viking Helmet, Houses For Rent 39202, Tui Careers Cabin Crew, Can You Leave Primer Unpainted Car, Maruti Suzuki Service Center Vashi, Connect Short Film, Is Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Grime Fighter Septic Safe,