Battle of Bear Valley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Bear Valley
Part of the Yaqui Wars, American Indian Wars
10th Cavalry soldiers holding Yaqui prisoners at their camp in Bear Valley, January 9, 1918.
Date January 9, 1918 Location Bear Valley, Arizona Result United States victory, successful Yaqui delaying action.
Belligerents
United States	Yaqui
Commanders and leaders
Frederick H.L. Ryder	unknown
Strength
~30 light cavalry	~30 warriors
Casualties and losses
none	1 killed 9 captured

The Battle of Bear Valley was a small fight in 1918. It happened between a group of Yaqui people and soldiers from the United States Army. On January 9, 1918, about thirty armed Yaquis were seen in Bear Valley, Arizona. This area was often used to cross the border into Mexico.

A short gunfight took place. The Yaqui leader was killed, and nine others were captured. This battle was small, but it was the last time the U.S. Army fought against Native Americans. Because of this, it is seen as the final official battle of the American Indian Wars.

Why the Battle Happened

By 1918, the Yaqui people had been fighting Mexico for many years. They wanted to create their own independent state in Sonora, near the Río Yaqui. Many Yaquis were forced to move north because of this war. Some crossed into Arizona to work in Tucson's citrus farms.

After earning money, the Yaquis would buy weapons and ammunition. Then they would return to Mexico to keep fighting. The Mexican government asked the United States for help with this problem. Also, Arizona ranchers reported seeing armed Yaquis on their land. They also found their cattle killed.

Since the United States Border Patrol did not exist yet, the army protected the border. Soldiers from Fort Huachuca were in charge. Colonel J.C. Friers ordered more patrols in the area. American forces included the 35th Infantry Regiment and the 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers. These soldiers were spread out to guard towns near the border.

One group of about thirty men from the 10th Cavalry set up a camp. This camp was in Atascosa Canyon, a key crossing point in Bear Valley.

Life at the Camp

Colonel Harold B. Wharfield later wrote about this camp. He said it was in a remote area. People were advised to travel in groups there. The camp was built near an old farmhouse. A high ridge nearby offered a great view of the flat lands.

After New Year's Day in 1918, Captain Frederick H.L. Ryder and his Troop E, 10th Cavalry, were sent to this camp. Their job was border patrol. A signalman was placed on the ridge. He could use hand signals to talk to sentries around the camp. Other soldiers patrolled the trails, watching for anyone crossing the desert.

The Battle Begins

On January 8, a local cattleman named Philip C. Clarke rode into the camp. He told Captain Ryder that his neighbor found a dead cow in the mountains. A piece of its hide was missing, likely taken to make sandals. The soldiers believed Yaquis had killed the cow.

Captain Ryder sent First Lieutenant William Scott and more men to the ridge. They had field glasses to watch the trails from a distance.

Spotting the Yaquis

Colonel Wharfield's book describes what happened next. "About the middle of the afternoon Lieutenant Scott signaled 'attention.' He then signaled 'enemy in sight.'" He pointed towards a low ridge about a quarter mile away. A sentry yelled to First Sgt. Samuel H. Alexander. Everyone quickly got ready.

A line of Yaquis could be seen crossing the ridge. The soldiers' horses were already saddled. Within minutes, the troop was mounted and ready to go.

The Chase and Fight

By the time the soldiers left camp, the Yaquis were out of sight. But Lieutenant Scott kept pointing, so the troop followed. They moved south towards the border fence. When the Americans were in position, they got off their horses. They left a guard with the horses and moved forward on foot.

As they advanced, they found "hastily abandoned packs." This meant the Yaquis were very close and knew they were being followed. Captain Ryder continued up a canyon. Suddenly, the Yaquis started firing from hidden spots.

The United States soldiers fired back. The fight became a typical Indian war skirmish. Both sides used rocks and bushes for cover. The Yaquis kept moving back, dodging and firing quickly. They were hard to hit.

The Surrender

Captain Ryder later shared his experience for Colonel Wharfield's book. He said the Cavalry kept moving forward, even under fire. After about thirty minutes, the shooting from the Yaquis slowed down. The troop then focused their fire on a small group. This group was acting as a rear guard, allowing others to escape.

Suddenly, a Yaqui stood up and waved his arms to surrender. Captain Ryder immediately blew his whistle to stop firing. After a few more shots, the fight was over. The soldiers moved forward carefully and surrounded the group. There were ten Yaquis. They had bravely held back the Cavalry so most of their group could get away.

The soldiers treated them with respect. They were surprised to find an eleven-year-old boy among the Yaquis. The boy had fought bravely, firing a rifle almost as tall as he was.

After the Fight

Captain Ryder recalled searching the captured Yaquis. One man kept his hands around his middle. Fearing he might have a knife, Ryder pulled his hands up. The man had been hit by a corporal's shot. The bullet had hit a cartridge in his ammunition belt, causing a flash. The bullet went through his body. This man was the group's leader.

The soldiers gave him first aid. They put him on a horse and took him to camp. He was very tough and barely made a sound. If other Yaquis were hit, the soldiers could not find them. Native Americans often carry their wounded away.

One soldier who spoke some Spanish learned from a prisoner that about twenty other Yaquis had escaped. Lieutenant Scott was sent to search the area, but they found no one else. It was dark when they returned to camp. The wounded Yaqui was sent to the Army hospital in Nogales but died that day.

The soldiers collected the Yaquis' packs and weapons. They found many rifles, ammunition, powder, and bullet molds. The next day, Captain Ryder's troop was relieved by another troop. The Yaqui prisoners were taken to Nogales. They were not used to riding horses and looked tired when they arrived. Captain Ryder noted that these Yaquis were as good fighters as any Apache.

What Happened Next

About a week after the battle, Captain Ryder was ordered to Arivaca. The Yaqui prisoners would be held there while the army decided what to do.

Colonel Wharfield wrote that the Yaquis were good workers. They adjusted well to army life. Even as prisoners, they received three meals a day and a bed. Wharfield noted that the Yaquis:

• Kept the campsite very clean.
• Rushed to clean up any horse droppings right away.
• This helped keep flies away.

While at Arivaca, one of the Yaquis explained why they had opened fire. They thought the Buffalo Soldiers were Mexicans. All ten Yaquis, including the boy, offered to join the Army. However, the government had other plans.

The prisoners were later sent to Tucson for a trial in federal court. They were accused of illegally taking weapons and ammunition into Mexico. The Yaquis pleaded guilty. Judge William Henry Sawtelle sentenced them to only thirty days in jail. The boy's charges were dropped. Colonel Wharfield wrote that this short jail time was better for the Yaquis. If they had been sent back to Mexico, they might have been executed as rebels.