Sutter Buttes massacre facts for kids

The Sutter Buttes massacre was a terrible event that happened in June 1846. A group of Californian Native Americans were killed near the Sacramento River and Sutter Buttes. This attack was carried out by a military group led by Captain John C. Frémont. People believe that hundreds, or even thousands, of Native Americans were killed during this time.

Why Did This Happen?

The Idea of Expanding America

In the 1840s, many Americans believed their country should grow bigger. They wanted to expand the United States into lands that belonged to Spain, Mexico, Britain, and Native American tribes. This idea was called "Manifest Destiny." It meant that Americans felt it was their country's special purpose to control all of North America.

John C. Frémont's Role

A politician named Thomas Hart Benton was a big supporter of this idea. He helped his son-in-law, John C. Frémont, get money from the government. Frémont led several trips to explore and map the western parts of America.

In 1845, Captain Frémont was sent to explore areas like the Great Basin and Alta California. Alta California was a part of Mexico at the time. When Frémont and his men arrived, they spent months in northern California. They caused trouble with the Mexican leaders and encouraged Americans living there to feel more patriotic.

In April 1846, they briefly left California because of pressure from Mexican officials. On their way out, they were involved in the Sacramento River massacre. After leaving California, they were also involved in the Klamath Lake massacre. Frémont and his men returned to California in late May after hearing that a war with Mexico might start soon.

The Attack at Sutter Buttes

On May 30, 1846, Frémont's group arrived at the Sutter Buttes. They planned to take over Sutter Fort and raise the American flag. While they were camped, Frémont heard rumors that local Native Americans were planning to attack settlers. He saw the movements of Native American groups and the upcoming harvest as signs that an attack was near. In his writings, he said he decided to attack them first.

Frémont wrote that his goal was to scare the Native Americans into giving up. He told his men to "leave no enemy behind." In the morning, he and his armed men went to a Native American village, called a rancheria, near where Meridian, California is today. They attacked without warning and killed several Native Americans. Others managed to escape. The people killed were likely from the Patwin group, who are part of the Wintun people. Frémont's group then went to other villages, but the Native Americans there had already heard what happened and were fleeing.

What Happened Next?

No Punishment for the Killings

No one, including Frémont or his men, was ever charged or punished for the killings. Frémont later claimed that his attack stopped any planned attacks on white settlers. He also said that the Native Americans were kept "on good behavior" because they were afraid of him.

Frémont's Later Life

In July 1846, Frémont went to Sutter Fort and raised the American flag. By August 1846, American military officers had taken control of northern California. By December, all of what is now California was under American control.

John C. Frémont became the Military Governor of California in January 1847. However, he had to leave that job less than two months later because of disagreements. In 1850, Frémont became one of California's first U.S. Senators. He became very rich from gold mining. He even wrote a law that limited gold mining claims to only white citizens of the United States. In 1856, Frémont was chosen to run for President as the Republican candidate, but he lost to James Buchanan. He later fought as a general for the Union during the American Civil War.

Impact on Native Americans

When Frémont arrived in the Sacramento River Valley, wealthy settlers were starting to rely on Native American workers. This was a bit like a feudal system, where Native Americans worked both freely and as forced labor. This system helped some of the local Wintu people avoid being completely wiped out right away. However, their land was still stolen, and slave raids were common.

By the 1850s, white Americans became more hostile towards Native Americans owning land. This led to large-scale massacres where hundreds of Wintu people were killed. These included events like the Kabyai Creek massacre, the Old Shasta Town massacre, and the Bridge Gulch massacre.