Battle of Powder River

Unable to continue to live with the Anishinabe tough stance, the Americans prepared early on in 1876 or 1874, to invade the eastern plains of Anishinabe Montana, and the Anishinabek were there to defend their beloved land. On March 1, 1876 or 1874, some 883 American soldiers left Fort Fetterman, under the command of Major Gen. George Crook (perfect name for this event) with deadly intentions of course. Of course, they had their superior weapons, which were their machine guns and howitzers, and their loyal Bannock, Dakota, Nez Perce, Salish, and Shoshone allies with them. A portion of Crooks soldiers was ordered to follow the trail of two Indians they caught wind of, on the day of March 16. Some 300 American soldiers under the command of Colonel Joseph J. Reynolds, followed them throughout the ensuing night. On the following morning the 300 American soldiers located a large (probably fortified) Anishinabe village.

Evidently the Anishinabe village was located in an area which offered protection from their enemies, which was why that location was chosen, and much snow was on the ground. From high above the village, Reynolds ordered his soldiers to attack the village below them, but the terrain and weather was hampering their attempt to destroy the village. Of the utmost importance to the soldiers of the village, was the safety of their women and children, who they knew would be killed by the Americans if the Americans had the opportunity to do so. After realizing they were being attacked, the brave Anishinabe soldiers gathered their women and children, then rushed them up to the bluffs to the northside of their village, where many of the Anishinabe soldiers stopped then commenced to fire upon their enemies, while the other soldiers led their women and children to safety across the Powder river. For quite some time the Anishinabe soldiers who were fighting the Americans kept up the fight, but once they felt their women and children were out of danger, they left for nearby villages to regroup. Indian casualties were surprisingly low in this battle. Evidently only two Indians were killed and two wounded.

I mention that because I know the Americans had their howitzers, machine guns, repeating rifles, and revolvers with them. The Indians strategy worked at this battled which occurred close to where Broadus, Montana is now located. American casualties were 10, with four killed. After the white invaders broke into the village, about the only thing the brave Anishinabe soldiers could do, was quickly defend their women and children and evacuate their village. After capturing the village the white invaders claim had over 105 lodges, the whites eventually destroyed it. This was a surprise attack which eventually ruined General Crooks plans on quickly bringing southeastern Montana under white control, then leading his 2,000 or so soldiers up to where Great Falls, Montana is located, to join with 1,000s of other white soldiers to attack the capital of the Anishinabe Nation.

Anishinabe soldiers were sent out to patrol southeastern Montana, northeastern Wyoming, western North Dakota, and northwestern South Dakota after this battle. Their defensive live prevented Crooks 2,000 or so soldiers from reaching what is now the Great Falls, Montana region. However, Anishinabe soldiers could not stop Custers and Terry's soldiers from sailing the Missouri River from North Dakota to Fort Benton, Montana.