Powder River War (jul 1, 1865 – sep 24, 1865)
Description:
A conflict between the US military and the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Native Americans. It started with the Battle of Platte Bride, in which Native American warriors attacked a bridge that was cutting through their territory. A punitive expedition was ordered on Powder River County, with the first battle commencing on August 13 at Crazy Women's Fork between the Pawnee Scouts led by Captain Frank J. North (employed by the US military) and a group of Cheyenne warriors. After North's success, he ambushed another group of Cheyennes at the Powder River Massacre on August 16. On August 28, Brigadier General Patrick E. Connor attacked and destroyed an Arapaho village in the Battle of Tongue River on August 29. US troops and Native Americans skirmished along the Powder River for the first week of September. On the 8th, 2000 US troops and civilians happened upon a Native American village of 2500, leading to a fight, though few were killed (less than five). The expedition was ended by Connor due to his deeming of most of the troops to be unfit for service. The expedition was largely unsuccessful for the US, as it did not significantly intimidate the Native Americans or reduce their power in the region. Further attempts would be made at taking the Powder River county in Red Cloud's War.
Casualties:
31 US troops killed
15 US troops wounded
100 Sioux/Cheyenne/Arapaho killed
21 Sioux/Cheyenne/Arapaho captured
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