Owens Valley Indian War
Encyclopedia
The Owens Valley War was fought between 1862 and 1863, by California Volunteers and local settlers against the Owens Valley Paiutes, and their Shoshone
and Kawaiisu
allies, in the Owens Valley
of California
and the southwestern Nevada
border region. The removal of a large number of the Owens River Indians to Fort Tejon was considered the end of the war. However minor hostilities continued to flare now and then until 1867.
, the storms that produced the Great Flood of 1862
resulted in snow and flooding conditions in the surrounding mountains and as far to the east as the Mono County seat at Aurora
. There had been light snowfall in November, then mild weather until Christmas Eve when it began a heavy and rapid snowfall for days, the temperature dropped below zero and the passes over the Sierras were closed. During the second week of January it warmed slightly and the snow became a torrential rain. Creeks overflowed their banks flooded and flooded low lying areas. After a week it cooled again and snow began to fall again. Within a few days the snow was deeper than it had been before the rains had begun to fall. Samuel Young of Aurora, recorded in his diary that the snow and rain had fallen for twenty six days out of thirty since December 24, 1861.
This cold weather and flooding resulted in the local Paiute suffering the loss of much of the game they depended on. Additionally, the cattle driven into the Owens Valley in 1861 to feed the Aurora miners, competed with the native grazers. They also ate the native wild plant crops the Paiute irrigated and depended on as a staple to survive. Starving the Paiute began to kill the cattle and conflict with the cattlemen began, leading to the subsequent Owens Valley Indian War.
Shoshone
The Shoshone or Shoshoni are a Native American tribe in the United States with three large divisions: the Northern, the Western and the Eastern....
and Kawaiisu
Kawaiisu
thumb|Kawaiisu FamilyThe Kawaiisu are a Native American group who lived in the southern California Tehachapi Valley and across the Tehachapi Pass in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains to the north, toward Lake Isabella and Walker Pass...
allies, in the Owens Valley
Owens Valley
Owens Valley is the arid valley of the Owens River in eastern California in the United States, to the east of the Sierra Nevada and west of the White Mountains and Inyo Mountains on the west edge of the Great Basin section...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and the southwestern Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
border region. The removal of a large number of the Owens River Indians to Fort Tejon was considered the end of the war. However minor hostilities continued to flare now and then until 1867.
Origins of the Conflict
During the winter of 1861-1862, in the Owens ValleyOwens Valley
Owens Valley is the arid valley of the Owens River in eastern California in the United States, to the east of the Sierra Nevada and west of the White Mountains and Inyo Mountains on the west edge of the Great Basin section...
, the storms that produced the Great Flood of 1862
Great Flood of 1862
The Great Flood of 1862 or Noachian Deluge was the largest flood in the recorded history of Oregon, Nevada and California, occurring from December 1861 to January 1862. It was preceded by weeks of continuous rains that began in Oregon in November 1861 and continued into January 1862...
resulted in snow and flooding conditions in the surrounding mountains and as far to the east as the Mono County seat at Aurora
Aurora, Nevada
Aurora is a ghost town in Mineral County in the western central part of the U.S. state of Nevada, approximately southwest of the town of Hawthorne and three miles from the California border....
. There had been light snowfall in November, then mild weather until Christmas Eve when it began a heavy and rapid snowfall for days, the temperature dropped below zero and the passes over the Sierras were closed. During the second week of January it warmed slightly and the snow became a torrential rain. Creeks overflowed their banks flooded and flooded low lying areas. After a week it cooled again and snow began to fall again. Within a few days the snow was deeper than it had been before the rains had begun to fall. Samuel Young of Aurora, recorded in his diary that the snow and rain had fallen for twenty six days out of thirty since December 24, 1861.
This cold weather and flooding resulted in the local Paiute suffering the loss of much of the game they depended on. Additionally, the cattle driven into the Owens Valley in 1861 to feed the Aurora miners, competed with the native grazers. They also ate the native wild plant crops the Paiute irrigated and depended on as a staple to survive. Starving the Paiute began to kill the cattle and conflict with the cattlemen began, leading to the subsequent Owens Valley Indian War.
Beginning of hostilities
- Thompson - Crossen Incident
- San Francis RanchSan Francis RanchSan Francis Ranch was the ranch of Owens Valley pioneer Samuel A. Bishop and his wife, located on a creek later named for him southwest of modern Bishop, California also named after him....
peace conference - January 31, 1862 - McGee Brothers cattle drive -
- Van Fleet - Shondow Fight -
- Taylor Cabin Fight -
- Threatened settlers concentrated their herds 30 miles north of Owens LakeOwens LakeOwens Lake is a mostly dry lake in the Owens Valley on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada in Inyo County, California. It is located about south of Lone Pine, California...
at the meadows on Oak CreekFort Independence (California)Fort Independence, originally Camp Independence, was established on Oak Creek, north of nearby modern Independence, California on July 4, 1862 during the Owens Valley Indian War. The fort was abandoned at the end of hostilities with the Owens Valley Paiute, in December 1864. However it was...
. They then sent messages for help to AuroraAurora, NevadaAurora is a ghost town in Mineral County in the western central part of the U.S. state of Nevada, approximately southwest of the town of Hawthorne and three miles from the California border....
the county seat nearby Mono County and VisaliaVisalia, CaliforniaVisalia is a Central California city situated in the heart of California’s agricultural San Joaquin Valley, approximately southeast of San Francisco and north of Los Angeles...
county seat of their own Tulare County, over the Sierras, for help. - Colonel James H. Carleton, the Commander of the District of Southern CaliforniaDistrict of Southern CaliforniaDuring the American Civil War, the Army had reorganized including the new Department of the Pacific which was created on January 15, 1861. By 1863, the department had five districts including the District of Southern California established on September 25, 1861...
received correspondence from Mr. S. A. Bishop of Fort TejonFort TejonFort Tejon in California is a former United States Army outpost which was intermittently active from June 24, 1854, until September 11, 1864. It is located in the Grapevine Canyon area of Tejon Pass along Interstate 5, the main route through the mountains separating the Central Valley from Los...
and Mr. W. A. Greenly of the Owens ValleyOwens ValleyOwens Valley is the arid valley of the Owens River in eastern California in the United States, to the east of the Sierra Nevada and west of the White Mountains and Inyo Mountains on the west edge of the Great Basin section...
explaining the situation in the Owens Valley and requesting military assistance. Col. Carlton had Colonel George W. Bowie Commanding Officer of Camp Latham issue Special Orders Number 7. - March 17, 1862.- Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
George S. EvansGeorge S. EvansGeorge Spafford Evans , Texas Ranger, miner, businessman, County Clerk for Tuolumne County, Customs official and Senate Clerk for the State of California...
, and a detachment of companies G, I and K, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers2nd Regiment California Volunteer CavalryThe 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It spent its entire term of service in the western United States, with most of its companies dispersed to various posts.-History:...
was ordered to proceed from Camp Latham to Owens Valley via Fort Tejon. Evans was to investigate the situation in Owens Valley and report back. His command was to take forty days rations and one hundred rounds of ammunition per man.
- Lieutenant Colonel
- When Acting Indian Agent for Nevada, Colonel Warren Wasson, had been informed of events to the south, he wired James W. NyeJames W. NyeJames Warren Nye was a United States Senator from Nevada.-Biography:He was born in DeRuyter, New York, he attended the common schools and Homer Academy in Homer, New York; he studied law in Troy, New York, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in Madison County.Nye was district attorney in 1839...
, Governor of Nevada TerritoryNevada TerritoryThe Territory of Nevada was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until October 31, 1864, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Nevada....
, then in San Francisco, about a peace mission to the Owens River Valley to prevent an Indian War from involving Nevada. Governor Nye approved the idea and asked General George WrightGeorge Wright (general)George Wright was an American soldier who served in the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
, Commander of the Department of the PacificDepartment of the PacificThe Department of the Pacific was a major command of the United States Army during the 19th century.-Formation:The Department of the Pacific was first organized on October 31, 1853, at San Francisco, California, taking over from the previous Pacific Division. The department reported directly to...
for a fifty man escort for the mission. General Wright ordered Captain E. A. Rowe, Commander of Fort Churchill, Nevada to provide the necessary men. Captain Rowe ordered Post Lieutenant Herman Noble, 2nd Cavalry, Detachment Commander in Aurora, Nevada to proceed to the Owens Valley with Colonel Wasson on a peacekeeping mission. Lieutenant Noble and his detachment linked up with Colonel Wasson about 30 miles south of Aurora on April 4, 1862 and proceeded southward towards the Owens Valley. - Raid on Alabama Hills Camp under Charles Anderson - March 20, 1862
- Volunteers arrive. 18 men from Aurora under John J. Kellogg, former Army captain and 22 from Visalia under Colonel Mayfield, a retired Army officer. Combined with local settlers, Colonel Mayfield, as senior officer, led a force of sixty men on a march fifty miles north up the valley. - March 28, 1862
Evans' First Campaign
- Lieutenant Colonel Evans' detachment of cavalry arrived at Owens LakeOwens LakeOwens Lake is a mostly dry lake in the Owens Valley on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada in Inyo County, California. It is located about south of Lone Pine, California...
. - April 2, 1862 - Skirmish at Putnam's Trading Post Evans' chased off Paiute who had put settlers at Putnam's under siege. - April 4, 1862
- Captain Wynne left with supplies, in command of a small garrison at Putnam's Trading PostIndependence, CaliforniaIndependence is the county seat of Inyo County, California. Independence is located south-southeast of Bishop, at an elevation of 3930 feet . The population of this census-designated place was 669 at the 2010 census, up from 574 at the 2000 census....
while Lt. Col. Evans advanced up the valley to catch up with Col. Mayfield. - April 5, 1862 - Battle of Bishop Creek - April 6, 1862
- Lt. Colonel Evans met Col. Mayfeild's militia retreating back to Putnam's Fort and camped overnight 30 miles north of Putnam's, at Big Pine Creek. - April 6, 1862.
- Colonel Mayfield reported to Colonel Evans that forty of his militia were still ready to march and fight the Indians. As Evans and Mayfeilds force marched north, Evans scouts reported that the Lieutenant Noble with fifty men of Company A, 2nd Cavalry, from Fort ChurchillFort ChurchillFort Churchill may refer to:* Fort Churchill , Manitoba* Prince of Wales Fort, Manitoba, also known as Fort Churchill* Fort Churchill, located in Fort Churchill State Historic Park, Nevada...
on their way south to Putnam's Store were nearby. Colonel Evans halted until Lieutenant Noble's command could come up with them and then proceeded to the north. - April 7, 1862. - Scouts were sent out and one scout returned reporting a large force of Indians twelve miles away near Bishop Creek. Evans moved up in a snow storm but the Indians had left at the approach of the main body of cavalry. Campfires were observed in a canyon to the north. - April 8, 1862
- Battle of Mayfield Canyon - April 9, 1862
- Following the battle in Mayfield CanyonMayfield CanyonMayfield Canyon, a canyon northwest of the town of Bishop in Inyo County, California.It was the site of the Battle of Mayfeild Canyon in the Owens Valley Indian War. During the battle Colonel Mayfeild, leader of the Owens Valley settler militia was killed. His name was given to the...
, Colonel Evans out of provisions after feeding both his men and citizens in the Owens Valley, decided to return to Camp Latham, via Putnam's Store. Lieutenant Noble and his detachment accompanied Colonel Evans as far as Putnam's. The settlers demanded protection from the Indians from Colonel Evans. Colonel Evans explained that he did not have the authority to leave troops to protect the citizens and had no provisions for them to live upon if they did. Settlers had three options: remain in the valley, accompany Colonel Evans to Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
or drive their livestock, (4,000 cattle and 2,500 sheep) out of Owens Valley. Most of the settlers chose the latter. - April 10, 1862. - Colonel Evans started back some four hundred miles to Los Angeles and Lieutenant Noble returned to Aurora. - April 14, 1862
- The Owens Valley Indians found they were left unopposed in the valley and attacked isolated parties of stockmen and miners throughout the area. - May and June 1862
Evans Second Campaign
- Lt. Colonel Evans detachment returned to Camp Latham. - April 28.
- Evens report recommended a military post be established in the Owens Valley to protect the citizens and the route to the mining areas from Visaliia and Los Angeles.
- Several citizens escorted out of Owens Valley by Colonel Evans traveled to San Francisco and urged General Wright that a permanent military post be established in the valley. After reading Colonel Evan's report of the situation in Owens Valley, General Wright wrote to Colonel Ferris Forman, new commander of Camp Latham, to send two or three companies of the Second Cavalry with Lt. Colonel Evans as commander to establish a post in the Owens Valley. - May 2, 1862
- Captain E. A. Rowe, with a detachment of Company A, 2nd Cavalry, came to Adobe Meadows, establishing a camp for the purpose of having talks with Mono leader Mannawahe. - June and July 1862.
- Colonel Evans with 201 men of Companies D, G and I, 2nd Cavalry, California Volunteers departed Camp Latham for the Owens Valley. With them was a train of forty six wagons carring equipment, ammunition and rations for the men.- June 14, 1862.
- Evans reaches Owens Valley. - June 30, 1862.
- After five days of chasing Indians in the valley, Colonel Evans decided that they would not come out to fight in the open and that it was impossible to follow them in the mountains and that a permanent military camp was required. Camp Independence a base of operations in Owens Valley was established on Oak Creek and named for the occasion, Independence Day. - July 4, 1862.
- Captain Rowe moved his command to a new camp east of the Owens River, opposite Camp Independence. - July 5, 1862.
First attempt at peace
- Captain Rowe, Company A, 2nd Cavalry, California Volunteers despatched a note to Colonel Evans at Camp Independence stating that he and Mr. Wasson, the Indian Agent had talked to Indian leaders in the area and made a treaty with them. A temporary peace was made for the summer with the Owens Valley Indian leaders, in anticipation of permanent arraigement to follow. - On July 7, 1862.
- A meeting was arranged between Colonel Evans, Captain Rowe, Colonel Wasson and Captain George, a war chief of the Paiutes. Captain George stated that he didn't want to fight anymore and wanted to become a friend of the white man.
- Colonel Evans felt that many the promises made by Indian Agent Wasson could not be kept. He also reported that if the troops were withdrawn, the attacks would start all over again.
- Department of the Pacific concurred with the terms of the treaty with the addition of provisons that the Indians were to restore all property stolen from the whites and they were to surrender four or five hostages to be a guarantee or their good faith.
- J. H. P. Wentworth, Indian Agent for the Southern California District met with Colonel Wasson and as a result sent messages out to the Indians to gather at Camp Independence. The meeting was held and a treaty was signed. - October 6, 1862
- Captain George, Tinemba and several others surrendered themselves and their families as hostages.
- Joaquin Jim, not a participant in the treaty, continued hostilities.
- Colonel Evans left Camp Independence to establish Camp Babbitt outside Visalia with Company D and I, 2nd Cavalry. 100 men of Company G, 2nd Cavalry under Captain Theodore H. Goodman was left behind to garrison and continue building Camp Independence.
- Captain Goodman resigns his commission being repaced by Captain Ropes in command of Camp Independence. - January 31, 1863
Owens Valley Indians return to War
- Captain George disappeared from Camp Independence after receiving his rations. - March 1, 1863
- Captain Ropes, sent soldiers to various settlements, warning people to stay home and be on their guard.
- Four miners were attacked at Big Pine Creek, leaving 1 wounded and 1 killed. - March 2, 1863.
- Captain Jack's band sacked the cabin of a mining company, taking guns and ammunition and destroying everything else not taken. Several other cabins were also sacked and another miner killed in the next few days. At Ida Camp sections of a water pipe was taken for its lead. Later two miners fetching water from the spring for Ida were attacked killing one, the other saving himself by a ruse.
- Captain Ropes sent messages to Camp Babbit requesting assistance. Camp Babbitt immediately sent First Lieutenant S. R. Davis with forty-four men to reinforce camp Independence.
- Skirmish at Black Rocks - March 11, 1863
- Battle of Alabama Hills - March 19, 1863
- Company E, 2nd Cavalry arrived, as reinforcements under the command of Captain Herman Noble. - April 4, 1863
- Battle of Big Pine Creek - April 9, 1863
- Lt. Col. William Jones, Commander at Camp Babbitt ordered Captain Moses A. McLaughlin to reinforce Camp Independence with a detachment of twenty-four men of Company D and eighteen men of Company E, 2nd Cavalry, California Volunteers, with one 12-pounder howitzer, and four six mule Government teams, carrying rations, company property, ammunition, and forage. Because settlers of Keyesville had appealed to the Department of the Pacific, orders included the instructions:
- "The captain will halt a few days in the upper end of the valley, where the difficulties are said to exist, and investigate the matter, and if the position of the Indians should be found as favorable as represented, if deemed advisable will give them battle. The captain will have about forty men, with arms to arm twenty more. This, with the number of citizens that will join him from Keysville, will give him a force sufficient to handle any number of Indians that he will be likely to meet at that place." - April 12, 1863.
- McLaughlin's detachment carries out the Keyesville MassacreKeyesville MassacreKeyesville Massacre occurred on April 19, 1863, in Tulare County, now Kern County, California during the Owens Valley Indian War. White settlers and a detachment of the 2nd California Volunteer Cavalry under Captain Moses A...
- April 19, 1863
- McLaughlin's detachment carries out the Keyesville Massacre
McLaughlin's Campaign
- Captain McLaughlin arrived at Camp Independence, as senior captain he became the new Camp Commander. - April 24, 1863
- McLaughlin's Operations in Owens Valley - April 25 - May 14, 1863
- McLaughlin changed tactics previously used in the war. No longer pursuing the enemy up canyons in the mountains to be ambushed in places of their choosing, McLaughlin sent detachments of his men up the mountains at night. Then at daylight they would sweep downward toward the valley, driving any enemy out into the valley where another detachment awaited to cut them off.
- Under Captain McLaughlin the soldiers were constantly seeking out the Indian food stores and destroying them.
- Scouting parties were employed in searching for any smaller bands who might have remained behind hidden in the tule swamps along the river, and scarcely a day passed without two or three of them being found and killed, and everything destroyed that could be of any use to the living. McLaughlin instructed the troops, that it was of the utmost importance that prisoners should be taken, not only women but men, confident that their love of life would prompt them to furnish important information and that possibly they could be used as guides.
- Also the Owens Valley Indians had never been taught how to maintain their firearms and their firearms became rusted and encrusted with dirt, making many unserviceable and some gun barrels exploded.
- Several Indians who had remained hidden near the Owens River were captured by Captain Noble's men, and finding that they would not be harmed, but that they would receive food and clothing, and being informed through the interpreter that Captain McLaughlin came to make peace, not war, they were prevailed upon to conduct the troops to where they supposed a large party belonging to Joaquin Jim was encamped and where they could be surrounded. From these Indians McLaughlin learned that Captain George was near Death Valley and furnished them with passes and white flags, allowing them fifteen days from the 16th of May to find Captain George and the other Indians and bring them into camp. - May 14, 1863
- Raid on Joaquin Jim's Camp - May 15–19, 1863
- At Captain Noble's camp on Big Pine Creek, McLaughlin issued an order suspending hostilities until further orders and sent out more Indian messengers. - May 19, 1863
Captain George and others Surrender, Paiute removed to Fort Tejon, Camp Independence abandoned
- Captain George came to Camp Independence to talk peace. He indicated that he no longer wanted war. As a result of his surrender, more than four hundred Indians came in to lay down their arms. - May 22, 1863
- The bands of Captain Dick and Tinemaha soon followed Captain George's example. By June there were 500 Paiute at the camp and almost 1000 by July.
- Thomas M. Heston, of Visalia, was killed by Paiute, between Adobe Meadows and Aurora. - Mid June
- Captain McLaughlin with 90 soldiers and 26 Paiute including Captain George trailed Joaquin Jim through Round ValleyRound Valley, CaliforniaRound Valley is a census-designated place in Inyo County, California, United States. Round Valley is located northeast of Mount Tom, at an elevation of 4692 feet...
, up Pine Creek and over Italy Pass into the Sierras, losing him a week later. - Late June 1863 - By the time the surrendered Indians left under escort to Fort TejonFort TejonFort Tejon in California is a former United States Army outpost which was intermittently active from June 24, 1854, until September 11, 1864. It is located in the Grapevine Canyon area of Tejon Pass along Interstate 5, the main route through the mountains separating the Central Valley from Los...
and the San Sebastian Indian Reservation they numbered over nine hundred. - July 11, 1863 - Surrendered Owens Valley Paiute arrive at the Reservation, less 50 who had slipped away during the trip. - July 22, 1863
- Captain McLaughlin abandoned Camp Independence, under orders to reopen and garrison Fort Tejon. - July 31, 1863.
- Joaquin Jim and other remaining fugitive bands continued hostilies in the valley, no longer threatened by the soldiers at Camp Independence.
Apparent Peace, New settlements and Minor Incidents
- Following the removal of the Paiute to the reservation, settlers believed that the Indian war was over, and began coming to the existing settlements, and new settlements sprang up:
- Lone PineLone Pine, CaliforniaLone Pine is a census-designated place in Inyo County, California, United States. Lone Pine is located south-southeast of Independence, at an elevation of 3727 feet . The population was 2,035 at the 2010 census, up from 1,655 at the 2000 census. The town is located in the Owens Valley, near the...
, near the mouth of Owens River, Bend City, San CarlosSan Carlos, Inyo County, CaliforniaSan Carlos is a former settlement in Inyo County, California. It was founded in 1863 and was located on the east bank of the Owens River east of Independence, close by to the west of the later site of Kearsarge, California.-External Links :*...
, further up the river ChrysopolisChrysopolis, CaliforniaChrysopolis is a former settlement in Inyo County, California. It was located on the east bank of the Owens River south of Aberdeen, at an elevation of 3819 feet ....
, Galena, Graham City (or Riverside) and OwensvilleOwensville, CaliforniaFor communities or former communities with a similar name, see Owensville. Owensville is a former settlement in Inyo County, California. It was located west of the future site of the modern-day town of Laws. Owensville was started as a mining camp in 1863...
. - There were rushes to strikes in the White MountainsWhite Mountains-Mountain ranges:Afghanistan*White Mountains Australia*White Mountains National Park, in QueenslandGreece*White Mountains , on the island of CreteUnited States*White Mountains *White Mountains...
, Slate Mountain, the Keyes District, Head of the Lake, and the Sierra foothills.
- Lone Pine
- However it was still dangerous for single travelers or small groups in the valley or surrounding mountains.
- Stephen Orjada was ambushed by Indians as he rode from Keyesville to Walkers BasinWalker Basin, CaliforniaWalker Basin, California, is an isolated community between Havilah and Fig Orchard near Sequoia National Forest, Breckenridge Mountain, Centennial Ridge , and Paiute Mountain .-References:...
. - August 1863 - Paiute attack miners in Little Round Valley. - August 2, 1863
- W. L. Moore and Mark Cornish, coming from Aurora, beat off an attack by Paiute, killing two, near Adobe Meadows. - Mid August, 1863
- Attack on the Church Party on Pine Creek in Round Valley. - September 2, 1863.
- Stephen Orjada was ambushed by Indians as he rode from Keyesville to Walkers Basin
- George K. Phillips, organized and led a company of thirty well armed men from San Carlos, with others from Bend City and the Union mill. With Merriam as guide, they left San Carlos to aid the three other men of the Church party or recover their bodies and punish their attackers. - September 3, 1863
- The bodies of two men were recovered, one was never found, presumed captured. Paiute were gone, leaving large supplies of pine nuts which Phillips' company destroyed.
- Returning to San Carlos the party encountered two men intending to build a sawmill at Big Pine. Indians had warned them to leave, and after talking with the Phillips company they decided to do so.
- During the remaining months of 1863, there were no further incidents with the Paiutes in Owens Valley.
- Captain Mclaughlin, made a tour of inspection of Owens Valley as far as Bishop Creek. - November 23 - December 16, 1863
- Mclaughlin reported:
- "The valley is fast filling up with settlers and miners, and no fear is entertained of Indians as far up as Bishop CreekOwensvilleOwnesville may refer to:*Owensville, California*Owensville, Indiana*Owensville, Maryland*Owensville, Missouri*Owensville, Ohio...
, which is the highest settlement in the valley. There the people are very uneasy, and fear to travel to and from Aurora, from whence their supplies are obtained. I would therefore respectfully recommend that so soon as the grass is sufficiently good that a force be sent into the valley to be stationed between Bishop Creek and Aurora, where the greater portion of the Indians supposed to be now in the valley are congregated."- A letter to the Alta California, from Bend City, dated December 17,1863, said: "With regard to the Indians, all has been quiet on Owens River for months past, and there is no prospect of a renewal of hostilities."
New trouble
- During the latter part of 1864 Indian depredations began once more, and white settlers or travelers were picked off when it could be done safely.
- Lieut. Robert Daley, commanded a detachment of Second Cavalry California Volunteers, ordered to escort the Indian agent to the Owen's River Valley to ascertain the true condition of the Indians there as soon as possible. - October 22, 1864
- Horse trader named Watkins killed at Black Rocks Springs.
- Affair At Cinderella Mine - November 21, 1864
- The band of Joaquin Jim attacks a mine ten miles from the Cinderella Mine but the miners escape in a running fight. - November 22, 1864
- The Cinderella Mine Affair and others led to the citizens of Owens Valley sending a petition to General Irvin McDowellIrvin McDowellIrvin McDowell was a career American army officer. He is best known for his defeat in the First Battle of Bull Run, the first large-scale battle of the American Civil War.-Early life:...
, then commanding at the PresidioPresidio of San FranciscoThe Presidio of San Francisco is a park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
: - November 29, 1863
- "Honorable IRVIN McDOWELL,
- "Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Coast, &c.:
- "The undersigned, your petitioners, would most respectfully represent that they are now and have been citizens and residents of Owen's Valley for the last past twelve months, and a number of your peititioners for a much longer time. Your petitioners would state that said valley is situated in Mono County, State of California; that said valley is about 100 miles in length; that there are a number of towns and villages situated in said valley, and also many persons, of whom your petitioners form a part, engaged in farming; that the whole white population now resident therein may be about 250 souls; that this population is so sparse and scattered over such a large extent of country that in case of trouble with the Indians upon a sudden emergency they would be wholy unable to render material aid to each other. It is well known to the military headquarters at San Francisco that this valley has been for the last two or three years the scene of many Indian outrages and depredations, and that those who are now residents of the valley live in continual fear of an outbreak of the Indians, which, if it should occur, must necessarily result in the shedding of much innocent blood, as we have now among us many families of women and children. Your petitioners would further represent that the notorious Joaquin Jim, chief of the Pi-Utes in this region since the removal of Captain George to Fort Tejon, with his own particular adherents, together with many fugitives from Fort Tejon and renegades from Captain George's tribe or division, are now settled in our midst; that is to say, on Bishop's Creek, near Owensville and upon the indentical ground upon which Mr. Scott, sheriff of this county, and Colonel Mayfield were killed some two years ago. It is a well-known fact that Joaquin Jim is now and ever has been an uncompromising enemy of the whites; that he refused to emigrate with his people under treaty made with the U. S. authorities; that the many murders and outrages committed in this valley since the withdrawal of Government troops from this locality is traceable to the implacable animosity of this captain or chief to our people. In view of the premises, feeling uneasey and insecure in our settlement, being as we are scattered over a wide extent of country, with helpless women and children among us, we would most respectfully pray that if compatible with the public service you would order to this locality one company of dragoons with such dispatch that the Indians, may be intimidated, and that your petitioners may rest in security; and your petitioners in duty bound will ever pray, &c."
- "WM. P. GEORGE,
- "J. H. SMITH,
- "S. JACKSON,
- [AND 37 OTHERS.]"
- When McDowell did not immediately send any troops for Owens Valley, many residents left for safer locations while the remaining inhabitants determined to fight.
- Citizens of OwensvilleOwensvilleOwnesville may refer to:*Owensville, California*Owensville, Indiana*Owensville, Maryland*Owensville, Missouri*Owensville, Ohio...
organized volunteers with lawyer/gunfighter Will Hicks Graham as captain. - At Bend City W. L. Moore and W. A. Greenly were selected to lead the volunteer forces.
- Citizens of Owensville
- Meanwhile, Lieut. Robert Daley, returned from the Owens Valley, reported on conditions in Owens Valley: - December 3, 1863
- When McDowell did not immediately send any troops for Owens Valley, many residents left for safer locations while the remaining inhabitants determined to fight.
- "Sir: In accordance with orders from headquarters Department of the Pacific, I have the honor to make the following report relative to the Indians in Owen's River Valley: I found Indian supplies in the valley not good, and the most of the Indians had left for the mountains. The Indian agent invited them to come in. Sixteen came and made the following report: They said they had been maltreated by the whites in various ways. To use their own language, they said Americans no good men. Hire Indian, and not pay him according to agreement. I learned from Mr. Maloney, one of the present proprietors of Camp Independence, that the settlers of the valley were in the habit of sending to the Tule River Reservation for Indians to come and work for them, and when they would get them there decline paying them, and after a certain length of time drive them from their claims and cabins without pay or allowance. The Indians said they would retaliate and drive the whites out of the valley. From what I could learn from the best authority (white settlers), I find that unless troops are sent there the whites will have to leave the upper portion of the valley, as all the men connected with mining in White Mountain and vicinity had to leave on account of the Indians, supposed to be Captain Joaquin's party, composed of Pi-Utes and Owen's River Indians, and they are determined (so say peaceable Indians) to drive the whites out of the valley. From conversation with Indians left in the valley we were informed that all the Indians capable of doing duty as warriors left for the mountains, leaving those that could not fight to take care of themselves. These Indians say they will go to Tule River Reservation if war commences. I believe the Indians have not been properly treated by the whites in Owen's River Valley, and I think, by all the information I could gather, that unless troops are sent there an outbreak by the Indians is inevitable."
- Major McDermit, commanding Fort Churchill, was ordered by General McDowell to send a company of Nevada Territory infantry to reoccupy Camp Independence to protect the settlers in the vicinity of the Owen's River Valley, and restrain the white settlers from attacking innocent Indians. - December 7, 1864.
Haiwai Meadows Outbreak
- Haiwai Meadows Murders at McGuire'sHaiwee, CaliforniaHaiwee is an unincorporated community in Inyo County, California. It is located on the Southern Pacific Railroad south-southwest of Keeler, at an elevation of 4075 feet ....
- January 1, 1865 - Settlers under W. L. Moore and W. A. Greenly, track the killers of the McGuire family to an Owens Valley Indian village east of the Owens River mouth on Owens Lake. They tracked Newman and Flanigan to Little LakeLittle Lake, Inyo County, CaliforniaLittle Lake is an unincorporated community in Inyo County, California. It is located south of Keeler on U.S. Route 395 in California, at an elevation of 3130 feet ....
, where they told the story of the attack at Haiwai to the posse. For their desertion of Mrs. McGuire and her son, they were told to leave the country at once and not to return, under penalty of death. - January 2–3, 1865 - Settlers meeting at Lone Pine decide to attack the village at Owens lake. Four Paiute captured at Lone Pine after news of the Haiwai killings are killed. - January 3, 1865
- Skirmish at Division Creek, north of Independence. Two prisoners at Camp Independence were shot. - January 2–3, 1865
- Settler force of seventeen men from Putnams went to the Black Rocks and found that the Paiutes had burned their camps and fled to the mountains, killing cattle as they went. - January 3, 1865
- Settler posse organized under Moore and Greenly at Lone Pine and march on the village on Owens Lake at night of the 5th. - January 4–5, 1865
- Owens Lake Massacre - January 6, 1865
- Company C, Nevada Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Captain John G. Kelley, reached Bishop Creek, and established a camp there remaining until April. - January, 1865
- Paiute attack J. N. Rogers at Hells Gate near Haiwai Meadows. - February 28, 1865
- Paiute killed miners Stewart and Rabe at Walkers Lake. - February 29, 1865
- Captain Kelly left camp on Owen's River to chastise the Indians at Owen's Lake. - March 13, 1865
- Captain Wallace returned to Fort Churchill from Walker Lake with the Indians who murdered Stewart and Rabe. March 19, 1865
End of Owens Valley Warfare
- Captain Kelley ordered to occupy Camp Independence. - April, 1865
- Fort Independence was from this time continuously garrisoned until abandoned in 1877.
- The company of Nevada Infantry at Fort Independence, were relieved by Company E, 2nd Cavalry California Volunteers from Camp Babbitt. - December 1865
- Company E, 2nd California Cavalry was relieved by U. S. Cavalry. - May 1866
- U. S. Cavalry engages a party of Paiute east of Owens Lake, killing several warriors and capturing others. - August 1866.
- Indian Raid on the "Spanish mines" - March 4, 1867.
- U. S. Cavalry pursuit of the "Spanish mines" Indian raiders to Coso Hot SpringsCoso Hot SpringsCoso Hot Springs is a hot spring complex in the Coso Volcanic Field in the Mojave Desert of Inyo County, California. The Springs are on the National Register of Historic Places.-Geography:...
and then 20 miles to Rainy Springs Canyon and the Skirmish at Rainy Springs Canyon. - March 12, 1867