The January 8, 1877 Battle of Wolf Mountain

This battle took place at what is now the Northern Cheyenne Reservation of Montana. The Anishinabe soldiers numbered around 500 as did that of the Americans. The Indians didn’t let the Americans perimeter deter them from attempting to take their machine guns and howitzers out of the battle, but the Americans defended their superior weapons successfully. The white invaders had planned an attack on an Anishinabe fortified settlement near present day Birney, Montana but their plans were discovered before they could attack the fortified Anishinabe settlement. Historians claim ogima Crazy Horse led the Anishinabe soldiers in this battle which may or may not, be correct. Anyway, the Anishinabe soldiers responded quickly after learning that the white invaders were preparing to assault their village and went out to fight them.

Under intense American bombardments, the Anishinabek continued to fight on but made their decision to retreat after agreeing that the weather was turning too cold. After this battle, many of the Anishinabek of eastern Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming slowy started to surrender. However, most continued to follow the predictions in the Seven Fires Prophecy and commenced their plans on an exodus. This was the third American military onslaught against the Anishinabe people, in the white invaders winter military campaign of either 1874-75 or 1876-77. The most devastating battle occurred a couple of weeks after this battle. It is known as the Marias River Massacre.

White casualties were 5 killed and 8 wounded in this battle. The casualties of their Dakota (Crow) and Shoshone allies were probably near that of the white invaders. Anishinabe casualties were 3 killed and an unknown number wounded. Anishinabe soldiers prevented the white invaders and their Indian allies, from destroying their village. It was a strategic Anishinabe victory.