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00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 494

While the Civil War raged elsewhere, the nation’s assault against Native Americans continued.  On January 29, 1863, California volunteers massacred over 350 Shoshone* Indians along the Bear River in modern-day Idaho. 

With the outbreak of the Civil War, President Lincoln worried that communications with California would be disrupted.  He therefore ordered the strengthening of federal forces along critical mail routes running through Indian territories. 

Under the command of Patrick Connor, the California volunteers had moved on the Shoshone encampment in retaliation for a recent Indian attack on miners who had arrived in the region after the discovery of gold in the summer of 1862.  Initially, under Chief Bear Hunter, the Shoshone held their own, but then ran out of ammunition.  In the aftermath, Bear Hunter was captured, mutilated, and killed.