The Battle of Bear River

Photographed by Vincent Cascio, July 8, 2011

1. The Battle of Bear River Marker

Inscription. The Battle of Bear River was fought in this vicinity January 29, 1863 Col. P.E. Connor, leading 300 California volunteers from Camp Douglas, Utah against Bannock and Shoshoni Indian guilty of hostile attacks on emigrants and settlers engaged about 500 Indians of whom 250 to 300 were killed or incapacitated, including about 90 combatant women and children. 14 soldiers were killed, 4 officers and 49 men wounded, of whom 1 officer and 7 men died later. 79 were severely frozen. Chiefs Bear Hunter, Sagwitch, and Lehi were reported killed. 175 horses and much stolen property were recovered. 70 lodges were burned.

Erected 1932 by Franklin County Chapter Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Cache Valley Council Boy Scouts of America and Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association. (Marker Number 16.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 29, 1863.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 42° 8.448′ N, 111° 54.672′ W.

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Marker was near Preston, Idaho, in Franklin County. It was on State Highway 91 just south of Hot Spring Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2472 U.S Hwy 91, Preston ID 83263, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in Idaho’s Bear River Country. It was also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Bear River Massacre Monument (here, next to this marker); Bear River Massacre (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Bear River Massacre (a few steps from this marker); Utah & Northern Railway (a few steps from this marker); A Battle Becomes a Massacre (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Earth Will Remember (approx. 0.8 miles away); Attack at Bia Ogoi (approx. 0.8 miles away); California Volunteers March to the Bear River (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Preston.

Bear River Massacre Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Vincent Cascio, July 8, 2011

2. Bear River Massacre Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2011, by Vincent Cascio of Logan, Utah. This page has been viewed 1,022 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on June 22, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2011, by Vincent Cascio of Logan, Utah. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.