Discovery of the Yosemite, and the Indian War of 1851, Which Led to That Event

"Discovery of the Yosemite, and the Indian War of 1851, Which Led to That Event" by Lafayette Houghton Bunnell is a late 19th-century historical narrative detailing the discovery of Yosemite Valley amid the backdrop of conflict between settlers and Native American tribes in California. The book primarily centers on the experiences of the Mariposa Battalion, including the author's experiences, during the Indian War of 1851. The book begins with Bunnell's reflections on his personal connection to the Sierra Nevada and covers rising tensions between Native Americans and settlers, driven by figures like James D. Savage, whose warnings of impending attacks spurred the creation of the Mariposa Battalion as a means of defense, unknowingly leading the soldiers to the stunning Yosemite Valley.