In late October of 1876, close to 500 American soldiers marched up to where present day Glendive, Montana is located to
spend the winter or, establish the American presence in that part of the Anishinabek country. Those American movements
were known of by the Iron Confederation who attempted to destroy wagon train supplies from reaching Colonel Nelson Miles
soldiers, who had established a temporary camp near the Tongue river, on two occasions. One occurred on October 11 and
the other on October 15. Not too long after the two failed attacks on the American wagon train supplies, the Anishinabek
sent two of their emissaries to negotiate with the invading Americans. Ogima Little Shell was probably terrified that
his American enemy had now ventured well into his Montana Kingdom, and likely felt that to negotiate with the Americans
was more instrumental than sending his brave warriors out to fight their enemies. After Colonel Miles met with the two
emissaries, he agreed to meet with the Anishinabek to negotiate. Ogima Little Shell may have had other sinister plans
instead of negotiating for peace, because he requested from his American enemy, the opportunity to trade for badly
needed ammunition.
Colonel Miles made it clear that the evil United States would only accept surrender, after hearing that ogima Little Shell wanted to trade for ammunition. Since nothing was settled they agreed to meet again on the following day. In the negotiations on the following day (October 21), the Anishinabek became more aggressive and told the Americans to leave their kingdom and take their supply trains with them. Not long after the negotiations ended a battle commenced, which the Americans eventually dominated (they were well supplied with the latest European weapons of war), which led the Indians to retreat from their well armed enemy who followed them for some 42 miles. The battle was not major but more of an retreat. Indian casualties were 5 killed and an unknown number wounded. American casualties were only two wounded. After this battle the first of the Anishinabek, Assiniboine and Cree surrendered to the evil United States. Their number was reported to be around 2,000 men, women and children. They were not taken back to the Dakota Reservation, but probably forced to relocate to Oklahoma. Many of them probably died on the way to Oklahoma.
Colonel Miles made it clear that the evil United States would only accept surrender, after hearing that ogima Little Shell wanted to trade for ammunition. Since nothing was settled they agreed to meet again on the following day. In the negotiations on the following day (October 21), the Anishinabek became more aggressive and told the Americans to leave their kingdom and take their supply trains with them. Not long after the negotiations ended a battle commenced, which the Americans eventually dominated (they were well supplied with the latest European weapons of war), which led the Indians to retreat from their well armed enemy who followed them for some 42 miles. The battle was not major but more of an retreat. Indian casualties were 5 killed and an unknown number wounded. American casualties were only two wounded. After this battle the first of the Anishinabek, Assiniboine and Cree surrendered to the evil United States. Their number was reported to be around 2,000 men, women and children. They were not taken back to the Dakota Reservation, but probably forced to relocate to Oklahoma. Many of them probably died on the way to Oklahoma.
