Everything about The Battle Of Wolf Mountain totally explained
The
Battle of Wolf Mountain (also known the
Battle of the Wolf Mountains,
Miles's Battle on the Tongue River, and the
Battle of the Butte) occurred
January 8,
1877 in the
Montana Territory between the
United States Army and a force of
Lakota Native Americans and
Northern Cheyennes during the
Black Hills War. The Northern Cheyennes called it the Battle of Belly Butte.
Background
Following the defeat of
George Armstrong Custer in the 1876
Battle of Little Bighorn, by autumn, only a few bands of the warring Sioux and Cheyenne tribes had begun filtering back into their
reservations and agencies to acquire food and annuity goods in preparation for winter. The
United States Congress had angered many Indians by demanding that they cede the
Black Hills to the government in exchange for these promised goods. The army had replaced civilian contractors in charge of the agencies, further convincing many war bands to stay away from them. General
Nelson Miles led a mixed force of
infantry,
artillery and
cavalry after
Sitting Bull's band, and had effectively defeated them by December.
Ranald S. Mackenzie had similarly defeated
Dull Knife's Cheyennes, who trekked through snow and icy conditions to join up with the camp of
Crazy Horse in the Tongue River Valley. Concerned with the approaching winter and the destitute condition of Dull Knife's band, Crazy Horse decided to negotiate peace with the army. However, when a group of U.S. Army Crow scouts murdered Crazy Horse's delegation, the war chief demanded revenge. He led a series of small raids in an effort to draw out Miles from his post.
The battle
Miles marched out to the foothills of the Wolf Mountains, then set up a defensive perimeter on a ridge line. At 7:00 a.m., on January 8, Crazy Horse and
Two Moons began a series of attacks on the U.S. soldiers. Frustrated by army firepower, they regrouped several times and tried again. Attempts to flank Miles' line also proved to be futile when Miles shifted his reserves to fill critical positions. Finally, Miles ordered an advance, which secured a vital ridge as artillery shells rained among the Indian positions. Crazy Horse withdrew as weather conditions deteriorated.
Results
Although a draw in many aspects, in effect the battle was a strategic victory for the U.S. Army, as it demonstrated that the Indians were not safe from the army even in winter and harsh conditions. Many individuals began slipping away and returning to their reservations. By May, Crazy Horse had led his surviving band into Camp Robinson to surrender.
Order of Battle
U.S. Army (Col. Nelson A. Miles in command)
Lakota and
Cheyenne (Crazy Horse and Two Moons)
war bands with approximately 500 warriorsFurther Information
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