Pitt River Expedition facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pitt River Expedition of 1859
Part of American Indian Wars
Date 1859 Location California Result United States victory
Belligerents
California	Achomawi Atsugewi
Commanders and leaders
William C. Kibbe William Byrnes
Strength
Kibbe Rangers and local posses
Casualties and losses
	? killed, 500 captured

The Pitt River Expedition refers to a series of trips made in California during the 1850s. These expeditions are named after the Pit River, which is a branch of the Sacramento River. They are also named after the Pitt River Indians, who lived in that area. These events were part of the larger American Indian Wars and happened during the exciting time of the California Gold Rush.

Early Pitt River Expeditions

First Expedition: Making Connections

The first well-known Pitt River Expedition took place in California from April to September 1850. An Indian Agent named Colonel E. A. Stevenson led this trip. His goal was to meet and build relationships with the Achomawi (also known as the Pit River people), the Atsugewi (Hat Creek people), and the Modoc tribes.

Second Expedition: A Lieutenant's Journey

In 1857, George Crook, who later became a famous officer and general in the U.S. Civil War, led the second Pitt River Expedition. At that time, he was a first lieutenant. During one of the many small fights, he was seriously hurt by an arrow.

California's Pitt River Expedition of 1859

The State of California kept records of money spent on its California Militia and on "Expeditions Against the Indians" between 1850 and 1859. These records mention a specific Pitt River Expedition in 1859.

Why the 1859 Expedition Happened

There were ongoing conflicts between new settlers and the Native American tribes in the northern parts of California. Citizens living there asked for the tribes to be moved away from the region. However, the federal government couldn't help much because they didn't have enough soldiers available. Some soldiers were already busy with the early stages of the Bald Hills War. So, citizens asked Governor John B. Weller to send out state troops from the northern counties. They wanted these troops to move the Native Americans from the mountains and place them on a special area called a reservation.

Organizing the State Troops

The Governor sent Adjutant General of California, William C. Kibbe, to northern California. His job was to create volunteer military groups to stop Native American raids. These groups were also supposed to gather the Native Americans and move them to the Mendocino Indian Reservation.

In Red Bluff, General Kibbe formed a company of 93 California militia members. This group was called the Kibbe Rangers, and it was led by Captain William Byrnes. General Kibbe told Captain Byrnes to lead an expedition against the Native Americans in Tehama, Shasta, Plumas, and Butte counties.

Results of the Expedition

Over the next three months, Captain Byrnes' rangers had many small clashes with groups of Native Americans. They captured more than 500 people. Because heavy snow blocked the path over the coastal mountains to the Mendocino Reservation, the captured Native Americans were taken by steamboat from Red Bluff to the Tejon Reservation.