Battle of Powder River

Unable to continue to live with ogima Little Shell’s tough stance, the Americans prepared early on in 1876 to invade the eastern plains of Anishinabe Montana, and the Iron Confederation was there to defend their beloved land. On March 1, 1876 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 Arapaho, Cheyenne, Crow and Dakota 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 Indian village. Evidently the Iron Confederations village was located in a 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 warriors 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 warriors gathered their women and children, then rushed them up to the bluffs to the north of their village, where many of the warriors stopped then commenced to fire upon their enemies, while the other warriors led their women and children to safety across the Powder river. For quite some time the warriors 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 one Indian was killed and one wounded. I mention that because I know the Americans had their machine guns and howitzers 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.