Yuma Expedition facts for kids

The Yuma Expedition was a special trip by the U.S. Army. It happened from February to October in 1852. This expedition was part of a bigger conflict called the Yuma War.

Setting Up Camp Yuma

After the California Militia had trouble with the Quechan people (also known as Yuma Indians) during the Gila Expedition, the U.S. Army sent Captain Samuel P. Heintzelman on the Yuma Expedition. His job was to set up a military post at a place called Yuma Crossing. This spot was important because it was where the Colorado River and the Gila River met. It was also a key point on the travel route from the eastern United States to California.

Captain Heintzelman's mission was to protect travelers and stop any fighting with the Quechan people. He carefully planned his route. On October 3, 1850, he left San Diego with three groups of soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Regiment. Another group of soldiers set up a supply base in Vallecitos.

Heintzelman sent a small team ahead to dig wells in the desert between Vallecitos and the Colorado River. He reached Vallecitos on November 3 and the Yuma Crossing on November 27. A few days later, the third group of soldiers arrived.

Camp Yuma was built with tents. To protect them from the sun and wind, soldiers used brush and reed fences. They also started a garden and a small vineyard near the river. At first, the Quechan people living nearby were peaceful and friendly.

Challenges at Camp Yuma

Getting supplies to Camp Yuma was very difficult. Supply wagons often arrived late and didn't carry enough food or equipment. The Army had asked for supplies to be sent by sea from San Diego, but these also faced problems. Boats struggled to travel up the Colorado River because of its strong currents. Bringing supplies overland by wagon was also hard, but it worked better.

Captain Heintzelman asked for a steamboat to help carry supplies up the river. However, supplies became dangerously low. To make things worse, the local Quechan people's crops had failed, and they needed food from the camp. Because of these problems, Captain Heintzelman was ordered in June 1851 to leave the camp. Only a small group of ten men, led by Lieutenant Sweeny, stayed behind to guard the ferry.

The Start of the Yuma War

Some leaders of the Quechan people were not happy about the U.S. Army being in their homeland. This area included parts of the Yuha Desert and the Yuma Desert in Arizona. Their unhappiness eventually led to the start of the Yuma War.