Battle of Caribou facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Caribou
Date December 1838 Location Caribou, Maine, United States Status Resolved Canadian lumberjacks flee area after bear attack and opposing gunfire from Eaton guard Webster-Ashburton Treaty signed August 9, 1842
Belligerents
United States	Canada
Casualties and losses
None	2 wounded by black bears during confrontation
1 black bear killed by Canadian lumberjacks, the gunfire from whom sparked the Americans to open fire.

The Battle of Caribou was a small event that happened in December 1838. It involved groups of armed woodcutters, known as lumberjacks, from the United States and British Canada. This event was part of a bigger disagreement called the Aroostook War. Even though no one was killed by gunfire, this skirmish made the border tensions worse. It also led to local armies, called militias, getting ready for a possible fight.

Why Did the Battle of Caribou Happen?

The land around what is now Caribou, Maine was very important for cutting down trees. Both the United States and British Canada claimed this area. During the winter of 1838–1839, there was a lot of disagreement over who owned the land near the Aroostook River.

Lumberjacks from Maine (USA) and New Brunswick (Canada) both wanted to cut wood there. They didn't want anyone else from the other side of the border to do so. By December 1838, the competition for wood, mixed with strong national pride, caused both groups to carry weapons for safety.

What Happened During the Conflict?

On December 29, 1838, Canadian lumberjacks were seen cutting trees. They were on land that used to belong to an American hero named William Eaton. Members of the Eaton family told American lumberjacks and other local people about this. Soon, an unofficial group of guards was set up to watch the area.

On New Year's Eve, the Canadian woodcutters came back. The Eaton guards quickly told them to leave. Shouting started, and both sides pulled out their guns, ready to shoot.

The Bear Attack and Gunfire

At the same time, something unexpected happened. A group of three Canadian lumberjacks were attacked by a black bear. The bear was protecting a small cub nearby. Black bears usually sleep during the winter, so this was very unusual. The lumberjacks managed to shoot and kill the bear. However, two of them were hurt during the attack.

The Americans heard the gunshots from the Canadians. They thought the shots were aimed at them, so they fired back. No Canadians were actually hit by the American gunfire. But the combination of the bear attack and the American shots made the Canadians leave the area quickly.

What Happened After the Battle?

News of this encounter spread fast to both sides. In Maine, Governor John Fairfield ordered the local militia to go to the site. In February 1839, he wanted them to arrest the "unruly wood thieves." The Canadian lumbermen then captured the Maine Land Agent, which made the situation even more serious between the two countries.

Tensions stayed high for a while, with people being arrested on both sides of the border. Finally, the issue was settled by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. This important agreement was signed on August 9, 1842. It helped define the border between the United States and British Canada, ending the dispute.