Malinda and Elias Adams family play host to soldiers returning from the Bear River Massacre, and are “entertained” with stories of the “battle”

Copied from Elias Adams: A Pioneer Profile, published in 2007. Pg 366-367.

Indian raids in Cache Valley that fall and winter brought a retaliatory attack in January, 1863 against a Shoshone Indian camp on Bear River by Colonel Connor and 300 soldiers. About 350 Indians were killed. Soldier casualties included 22 killed, 45 wounded, and 79 incapacitated by frozen limbs.

“The wounded soldiers, and those suffering from amputations, returned to Fort Douglas by easy stages. They were transported in sleighs and stayed at the homes of settlers overnight whenever possible in order to reduce their suffering.

Two sleighs, each drawn by a four-mule team and loaded with wounded, left the main highway at the foot of the Wasatch range of mountains . . . and the men were given a royal welcome at the home of Elias Adams in the hollow, where Malinda Adams prepared the best food that her larder possessed, and the distressed soldiers appreciated her kindness and hospitality. Elias Adams sympathized with their condition, for he remembered the time when he was campaigning against the British, just fifty years before, and recalled the days when he was wounded even as these soldiers were. After the evening meal had been served, the men grouped themselves about the fireplace and entertained the family with stories and incidents of the recent battle.”

A collection of documents, excerpts, and photographs relevant to the so-called Weber Ute people of Northern Utah. Not a complete history — research aid only.