Sheepeater Indian War facts for kids

The Sheepeater Indian War in 1879 was the last major conflict of the American Indian Wars in the Pacific Northwest. It happened mostly in central Idaho.

This conflict involved a group of about 300 Shoshone people called the Tukudeka. They lived in the high mountains. The name "Tukudeka" means "Big-Horned Game Eaters" in their language. They were known for hunting Rocky Mountain sheep, which were a very important food source for them. Settlers often called them "Sheepeaters."

The Tukudeka were very skilled hunters. Their bows, made from bighorn sheep horns, were highly valued by other tribes and settlers. They were one of the last Native American groups to live traditionally in the Rocky Mountains. After the war, many Tukudeka joined the Salmon Eater Shoshones. The Tukudeka did not see this as a "war." For them, it began with a difficult event involving a family in their home area, which was Yellowstone Park.

Why the Conflict Started

Before the war, there were many problems between European-American settlers and the Shoshone people. Settlers claimed the Shoshone were taking horses in Indian Valley. They also accused the Shoshone of causing harm to three settlers near Cascade, Idaho.

In August, the Shoshone were blamed for harming two gold prospectors near Pearsall Creek. By February 1879, they were accused of harming five Chinese miners at Oro Grande. More accusations followed, including harm at Loon Creek and to two ranchers near the Salmon River in May. It is important to note that there was no clear proof for these accusations.

The Military Campaign

Based on the settlers' complaints, the United States army was sent into action. Several groups of soldiers were involved:

• Troop G of the 1st Cavalry, led by Captain Reuben F. Bernard.
• Company C and a part of Company K from the 2nd Infantry Regiment, led by First Lieutenant Henry Catley.
• Twenty Native American scouts, led by Lieutenant Edward S. Farrow of the 21st Infantry.

All these troops were heading towards Payette Lake, near McCall. Captain Bernard came from Boise barracks. Lieutenant Catley came from Camp Howard. Lieutenant Farrow came from the Umatilla Agency.

Challenges for the Troops

The soldiers faced a very difficult journey because of the rough mountain land. The first part of their mission, from May 31 to September 8, took them through the Salmon River area. This river was known as the "River of No Return" because it was so hard to travel on.

On August 20, a group of ten to fifteen Tukudeka attacked the soldiers. This happened while the soldiers were guarding a pack train (a line of animals carrying supplies) at Soldier Bar on Big Creek. Corporal Charles B. Hardin, six troopers, and the chief packer, James Barnes, defended the supplies. They managed to make the Tukudeka leave. Only one soldier, Private Harry Eagan, was injured.

End of the Conflict

By October, the conflict came to an end. Lieutenants W.C. Brown and Edward S. Farrow, along with a group of twenty Umatilla scouts, talked with the Tukudeka. They successfully negotiated for the Tukudeka to surrender.