Military - Indian Wars

Welcome to our Indian Wars veterans page. We would like to honor those who have serve in our armed forces during the Indian War period. We hope you will contribute information about additional Indian Wars veterans. Thank you!

About the Indian Wars in Idaho

According to some resources, Idaho had its share of Indian wars during it early territorial period after the Civil War when the Union Army served in Idaho to help control the uprising conflict with the local and regional Native American. There were many soldiers and civilians "Killed in Action" (KIA), but it is not known who these individuals were.

1. Nez Perce War of 1877: White Bird Canyon: 17 Jun 1877; 34 soldiers KIA, buried on 27 Jun 1877 where they fell. Commemorative monument raised at the site in September 1927. Two of the 34 KIA:

o Trumpter John Jones
o Lt. Edward R. Theller

(Beal, Merrill D. I Will Fight No More Forever: Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce War (University of Washington Press, June 2003): 65.)

2. Nez Perce War of 1877: Clearwater :: 11-12 Jul 1877; 13 Soldiers KIA, unknown burial location. (Beal, Merrill D. I Will Fight No More Forever: Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce War (University of Washington Press, June 2003): 81-84.)

3. Bannock-Paiute War 1878 :: Casualities: 2 Civilians, ?? Soldiers.

o "The Bannock tribe declared war on the white settlers in May 1878. Hostilities began in southern Idaho where the Bannocks battled cattlemen and other white settlers settling on the Big Camas prairie, part of the tribe's treaty reservation. Two hundred warriors, led by Buffalo Horn, moved across the prairie toward the Snake River, raiding settlements as they went. Pursued by federal troops, they crossed into Oregon and joined with the Paiutes and other Indian tribes, numbers 2,000 in all."("Bannock, Snake and Paiute War of 1878: May 1878 - January 1879 in Umatilla County, Oregon," Terror Spread at Camas Prairie (online): http://www.3rd1000.com/history3/events/bannock.htm (accessed: June 15, 2011).)

o "The services of volunteers in this war did much to hold the hostiles in check at various points and prevent a wholesale desertion of the country by affording protection to the scattered settlers. They dispersed and drove away the small raiding parties while the troops were devoting their attention to the main band. By constantly scouting they gave the people a sense of security that led them to return to their homes and save what had escaped destruction by the Bannock's. These volunteers came from every town within a hundred miles of the route pursued by the hostiles, many of them being hastily organized as militia, while others served simply as citizen volunteers. There were several bands professing to be volunteers who were in reality horse-thieves and followed the trail of the raiders to pick up valuable stock and otherwise plunder the deserted ranches. One company in particular was notified by General Howard that if he caught them near his camp they would all swing from a tree. This company was from Idaho and charged with having Indian disguises to aid them in their raids upon the panic-stricken settlers. With these exceptions, the volunteers played an important role in pacifying the country." ("Bannock, Snake and Paiute War of 1878: May 1878 - January 1879 in Umatilla County, Oregon," Terror Spread at Camas Prairie (online): http://www.3rd1000.com/history3/events/bannock.htm (accessed: June 15, 2011).)

4. Sheepeater Indian War of 1879 :: Location: Chamberlian-Big Creek area (Now Frank Church Wilderness; Casualties: 1 Soldier: many civilians were killed in cause of this conflict.

o Pvt. Harry Eagan - Co. C, 2nd Inf, KIA 20 Aug 1879; buried on Soldier Bar on Lower Big Creek (Monument Erected).

(More about the The Sheepeater Indian War of 1879 online at http://www.3rd1000.com/history3/events/sheepeat.htm)

Information provided by Peter Preston

Indian Wars Veteran

Samuel A. Glass of New York,
Death: Aug. 23, 1877, near Kilgore, Clark County, Idaho
Blacksmith, 2 U.S. Cav.

Samuel was injured (Samuel Glass, who received a bullet in the bladder) in the Nez Pierce battle near Kilgore, Clark, ID, traveling through Pleasant Valley area where he died from his injuries. His grave is maintained by the forest service and is well kept. Wild flowers grow on his fenced in gravesite.

Sources: Headstone, local legend and my research.

On Tuesday, August 21, General Howard started his wounded on the back trail to Virginia City escorted by all but eight or ten of the Montana volunteers. One of the casualties, Blacksmith Samuel Glass, shot through the bladder during Norwood's action, died August 22 on the way at Pleasant Valley and was buried there.

Glass's grave, complete with U.S. Quartermaster Department-provided marker, overlooks Pleasant Valley west of Interstate 15. It can be reached via the exit at the community of Humphreys, then south on an old two-lane highway for nearly three miles, then under the interstate and north on a gravel road for about one mile to the solitary grave above the valley.

Burial: Soldier Grave, Humphrey Exit, Clark County, Idaho, USA