Bitter Spring Expedition facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bitter Spring Expedition
Part of the American Indian Wars
Date April to July, 1860 Location Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, California, Nevada Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Southern Paiute
Commanders and leaders
Newman S. Clarke James Henry Carleton	none
Strength
Company K of First Regiment of Dragoons	unknown
Casualties and losses
0 killed, 2 wounded	5 killed, 1 wounded

The Bitter Spring Expedition of 1860 was a U. S. Army expedition from Fort Tejon, by Company K, First Regiment of Dragoons, led by Major James Henry Carleton, to punish suspected Southern Paiute raiders that had attacked travelers at Bitter Spring along the Los Angeles - Salt Lake Road, the winter trade route and wagon road between Utah and California.

The Bitter Spring Expedition was the result of two incidents earlier in the year, on along or near the Mohave River the other at Bitter Spring. First was the killing of a cattleman in January 1860, on the Mojave River, reportedly by Southern Paiutes. Two months later of two unarmed teamsters were killed at Bitter Spring by Native American men thought to be Paiute who had posed as friends before suddenly turning on them, feathering them with arrows.

In April 1860 Major James Henry Carleton was appointed commander of the Bitter Spring Expedition. Brevet General Newman S. Clarke, Carlton's superior, commanding the Department of California, in San Francisco, ordered him to "proceed to Bitter Springs and chastise the Indians you find in the vicinity." The General specifically instructed Carleton that "the punishment must fall on those dwelling nearest to the place of the murder or frequenting the water course in its vicinity." Carlton at the head of Company K, First Regiment of Dragoons left the fort in early April. However Carlton's attitude toward the Paiute had been soured by his investigation of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, which colored the subsequent treatment of the natives his command encountered on this campaign.

After arriving and establishing his base at Camp Cady Carlton sent out patrols looking for hostiles. On May 2, the engagement at Old Dad Mountain took place. The post remained at the spring to guard travelers on the road, until abandoned in late July 3, 1860 at the end of Carlton's expedition.