Indian War Military Campaigns

Military Campaigns of the Indian Wars

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Cheyennes (1878-1879) - After the extensive surrenders in 1877 of the hostile Northern Cheyennes, in the Departments of Dakota and the Platte, a number were sent under guard to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency, at Fort Reno, Indian Territory, on August 8, 1877. Subsequent to that date other small parties surrendered and some died, so that on July 1, 1878, the number of Northern Cheyennes, at Fort Reno amounted to more than 940. An attempt had been made by General Pope, commending the Department of the Missouri, to disarm and dismount these Indians, so as to place them on the same footing with the Southern Cheyennes, but as it was found this could not be done without violation of the conditions of their surrender, they were permitted to retain their arms and ponies.

Cheyenne Warriors by Edward S. Curtis

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A large part of the Northern Cheyennes found friends among the Southern Cheyennes, mixed with them, and joined the various bands. About one-third of the Northern Cheyennes, however, under the leadership of "Dull Knife," "Wild Hog," "Little Wolf," and others, comprising about 375 Indians, remained together and would not affiliate with the Southern Cheyennes. Dissatisfied with life at their new agency, they determined to break away, move north, and rejoin their friends in the country where they formerly lived. Their intention to escape had long been suspected and their movements were consequently watched by the troops, but by abandoning their lodges, which they left standing, about 89 warriors, and slightly less than 250 women and children escaped from the agency on September 9, 1877.

Although troops were dispatched from several posts to intercept and return them to the agency, the Indiana eluded their pursuers and continued north raiding settlements for stock and committing other depredations. On 21 September a minor skirmish took place between the Indians and Army troops assisted by citizens. Six days later, Colonel Lewis' command overtook the Cheyennes on "Punished Woman's Fork" of the Smoky Hill River, where the Indians were found very strong entrenched and waiting for the troops. Colonel Lewis attacked them at once and was mortally wounded while leading the assaut. In the clash, 3 enlisted men were wounded, one Indian killed; 62 head of stock were captured.

In spite of all precautions, the Cheyennes managed to escape and continue north. Two Cheyennes who had been taken prisoner by cowboys told authorities the fugitives had intended to reach the Cheyennes, supposed to be at Fort Keogh, Montana, where, if permitted to stay, they would surrender, otherwise they would try to join Sitting Bull, who still remained in Canada. The prisoners also said that the escaping Cheyennes had lost 15 killed in the various fights subsequent to their escape from Fort Reno.

On 23 October, two troops of the 3d Cavalry captured 149 of the Cheyennes and 140 head of stock. Dull Knife, Old Crow, and Wild Hog were among the prisoners. Their ponies were taken away, together with such arms as could be found, but the prisoners said they would die rather than be taken back to Indian Territory. Little Wolf and some of his followers escaped and, in January, 1879, additional members of the tripe escaped to join Little Wolf after a skirmish with troops near Fort Robinson, Nebraska.

Cheyenne Chief Dull Knife, 1873

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

Some of the escaping Cheyennes strongly positioned on some cliffs were intercepted, but again they escaped. However, two days later they were again located near the telegraph line from Fort Robinson to Hat Creek, where they were entrenched in a gully. Refusing to surrender, they were immediately attacked and the entire party either killed or captured. Dull Knife, their leader was among those killed.

On March 25th, Little Wolf and his band were overtaken near Box Elder Creek by a force made up of two troops of Cavalry, a detachment of Infantry, a field gun, and some Indian scouts. The Indians were persuaded to surrender without fighting and gave up all their arms and about 250 ponies, and marched with the troops to Fort Keogh. The band numbered 33 men, 43 women, and 38 children.

Utes (September, 1879 - November, 1880) - The Indian agent, N. C. Meeker, at White River Agency in Colorado, became involved in a dispute with Northern Utes in September, 1879 and requested assistance from the Army. In response, Major T. T. Thornburgh's column of some 200 men moved out from Fort Fred Steele, Wyoming. On 29 September this force was attacked and besieged in Red Canyon by 300 to 400 warriors. Thornburgh's command was finally relieved by elements of the 9th Cavalry that arrived on October 2nd and of the 5th Cavalry under Colonel Wesley Merritt who arrived on October 5th, but in the meantime Meeker and most of his staff had been massacred. Before the Utes were pacified in November, 1880, several thousand troops had taken the field. In 1906 the Utes of this area left their reservation and roamed through Wyoming, terrorizing the countryside, until they were forced back on their reservation by elements of the 6th and 10th Cavalry.

Pine Ridge (November, 1890 - January, 1891) - Accumulated grievances, aggravated by teachings of an Indian prophet named Wovoka, who claimed to be the Messiah, brought about this last major conflict with the Sioux. General Nelson Miles, commander of the Department of the Missouri, responded to a Department of Interior request to check the rising ferment by ordering apprehension of the great Sioux leader, Sitting Bull, who was killed during the attempted arrest at Standing Rock Agency on December 15, 1890. Meanwhile, large numbers of Sioux had been assembling in the Bad Lands, and a serious clash took place at Wounded Knee Creek on December 29, 1890 between Colonel James W. Forsyth's 7th Cavalry and Chief Big Foot's band with considerable losses on both sides. Almost half the infantry and cavalry of the Regular Army were concentrated in the area and in January, 1891 the warriors were disarmed and persuaded to return peaceably to their reservations.

Added April, 2008

Source: U.S. Army Center of Military History

Wounded Knee Massacre

ALSO SEE:

Battles, Campaigns and Massacres of the Indian Wars

Frontier Skirmishes between the Pioneers & the Indians

Indian War List and Timeline

Three Indian Campaigns

Indian Fighters

Indian Wars of the Frontier West

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