Powder River Battles (1865)
| Powder River Battles | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Powder River, Montana Territory and Dakota Territory, present-day Custer and Powder River counties, Montana and northeastern Wyoming | |
| Result | strategic Native American victory |
United States Nelson D. Cole Samuel WalkerThe Powder River Battles were a series of battles and skirmishes fought between September 1–15, 1865 by United States soldiers and civilians against Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. The fighting occurred along the
Background
Colonel Cole left
September 1
On the morning of Friday, September 1, 1865, the over 1,400 soldiers and civilians of Colonel Cole's column were encamped along the Powder River near the mouth of what is now called Alkali Creek in present-day Custer County, Montana. Walker's command was bivouacked several miles to the south. In the early morning, over 300 Hunkpapa, Sans Arc, and Miniconjou Lakota Sioux warriors led by Sitting Bull attacked the eastern columns' horse herd. The first soldiers to respond was a small detachment of Battery K, 2nd Missouri Light Artillery. Shortly after they left their camp, Warriors ambushed the small party, and in the ensuing fight, six of the soldiers became casualties, with three killed, one mortally wounded, and two wounded. Later that night, two soldiers in a hunting party were killed. Four Sioux warriors were killed and at least four were wounded.[3]
September 2–7
The next day, Saturday, September 2, 1865, there were at least three small skirmishes with warriors. In the first, at least one warrior was killed. In the second, no casualties were reported. In the third, later in the day, two soldiers were killed, while returning to camp after a hunting trip. In desperate need of supplies, Colonel Cole and Walker decided to follow the Powder River north, to search for Brigadier General
September 8
On Friday, September 8, 1865, Colonel Cole's and Lieutenant Colonel Walker's column's were marching south up the Powder River in present-day
September 9–10
On September 9 Cole and Walker only moved about two and a half miles. On the morning of September 10, 1865, the over 2,000 soldiers and civilians of Cole's and Walker's columns were encamped together along the Powder River opposite the confluence of the Little Powder River in present-day Powder River County, Montana. The camp was packed and almost all of the soldiers had moved out when Native American warriors appeared. Lieutenant Charles Springer wrote in his diary that as the last of the soldiers left the camp of the previous night, the Native American warriors "came charging down from the hills, but a volley from Comp. A and C sent them back amongst the hills." Comp. A and C that Springer referred to were Companies A and C, of the 12th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. There were volleys and some sporadic firing. The 12th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry Regiment that Springer was a member of was commanded by Colonel Oliver Wells, who later reported "On the 10th the Indians nearly enveloped the camp as the command moved out, and followed on our flank and rear until about noon. But little was accomplished, however, and much useless firing was done. The Indians had this day about four or five good muskets. One of our men was slightly wounded, and three Indians were shot, but carried of by their comrades."
The Eastern column's chief engineering officer, Lyman Bennett, wrote in his diary on September 10, 1865, that:
We commenced the march and coming to the river, found it swollen so that it could not be easily crossed. Indians also menaced the head of the column and their heads could by seen in the hundreds protruding from the tops of the hills. We finally found another ford above and crossed the command only losing one wagon though many men and horses were thrown into the water. A few Indians hovered around our advance for a few miles and then hauled of and we saw no more of them.
— MajorLyman G. Bennett, September 10, 1865[3]
The Little Powder River battlefield is situated on private land near Powderville West Road along the Powder River in Powder River County, Montana. It is located less than 3 miles (4.8 km) north-east of present-day Broadus, Montana.[3]
September 11–15
The expedition continued south up the Powder River. On September 12, Cole's and Walker's columns marched past
After
Cole, Walker and their soldiers arrived at Fort Connor on September 20, 1865. Connor deemed the soldiers unfit for further service and sent them back to Fort Laramie and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where most of them were mustered out of the army.
Casualties
Twelve soldiers were killed or mortally wounded between September 1–10, and three died of disease, making a total of fifteen killed during the ten-day period. At least fourteen soldiers were wounded in the various skirmishes between September 1–15, two by friendly fire. At least seven Native American warriors were killed and eleven wounded between September 1–15. Cole claimed that his soldiers had killed two hundred Indians. By contrast, Walker said, "I cannot say as we killed one." Indian casualties were likely light.[5]
Native Americans
Killed in action-
- Black Whetstone, Native American, September 8.
- At least six unidentified warriors and people, Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho, September 1–15.
Wounded in action-
- At least eleven unidentified warriors and people, Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho, September 1–15.
United States Army
Killed in action-
- Sergeant Larkin L. Holt, Battery K, 2nd Missouri Artillery, September 1.
- Private Jesse Easter, Battery K, 2nd Missouri Artillery, September 1.
- Private Abner Garrison, Battery K, 2nd Missouri Artillery, September 1.
- Private George Cooper, Battery L, 2nd Missouri Artillery, September 1.
- Private George W. Jackson, Battery L, 2nd Missouri Artillery, September 1.
- Private Reuben B. Cavender, Battery H, 2nd Missouri Artillery, September 2.
- Private George W. McCulley, Company B, 12th Missouri Cavalry, September 5.
- Private James D. Morris, Company B, 12th Missouri Cavalry, September 5.
- Private Elijah Bradshaw, Company A, 12th Missouri Cavalry, September 7.
- Private William P. Long, Company E, 16th Kansas Cavalry, September 8.
- Private David Noble, Company F, 12th Missouri Cavalry, September 14.
Mortally wounded-
- Private Robert W. Walker, Battery K, 2nd Missouri Artillery, mortally wounded September 1, died of wounds September 2.
- Private Andrew J. Baucom, Battery H, 2nd Missouri Artillery, mortally wounded September 2, died of wounds September 7.
- Private Isaac Tracy, Battery L, 2nd Missouri Artillery, mortally wounded September 2, died of wounds September 10.
Died of disease-
- Private Henry Grote, Battery B, 2nd Missouri Artillery, died of scurvy September 4.
- Private William Lucas, Company F, 12th Missouri Cavalry, died of dysentery September 7.
- Private Henry Duffey, Battery D, 2nd Missouri Artillery, died of scurvy September 9.
Wounded in action-
- Sergeant James L. Duckett, Battery K, 2nd Missouri Artillery, September 1.
- Two soldiers wounded by friendly fire, Cole's command, September 1.
- Second Lieutenant Hiram L. Kelly, Battery B, 2nd Missouri Artillery, September 5.
- Private Charles H. Eliot, Company B, 12th Missouri Cavalry, September 5.
- Two soldiers wounded, 12th Missouri Cavalry, September 5.
- Corporal John Price, Company G, 16th Kansas Cavalry, September 8.
- Three soldiers wounded, Walker's command, September 8.
- One soldier wounded, Cole's command, September 10.
- Corporal Charles L. Thomas, Company E, 11th Ohio Cavalry, September 15.
Order of battle
United States Army, Powder River Expedition, September 1–11, 1865. Col Nelson D. Cole, 2nd Missouri Artillery, commanding.
| Expedition | Column | Regiments and Others |
|---|---|---|
|
Powder River Expedition, Col Nelson D. Cole |
Center, Middle Division
|
|
| Right, Eastern Division
|
|
United States Army, Powder River Expedition Detachment, September 15, 1865. Corporal Charles L. Thomas, 11th Ohio Cavalry.
| Expedition | Detachment | Strength |
|---|---|---|
|
Powder River Expedition Detachment, Western Column |
Four soldiers and scouts |
|
Native Americans,
| Native Americans | Tribe | Leaders |
|---|---|---|
| Lakota Sioux
|
| |
| Northern and Southern Cheyenne
|
| |
| Arapaho
|
|
See also
- Powder River Expedition
- Nelson D. Cole
- Samuel Walker
- Roman Nose
- George Bent
References
- ^ a b Brown, Dee (1970). Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. p. 114.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-87062-370-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-87062-370-7.
- ^ Grinnell, George Bird The Fighting Cheyennes Norman: U of OK Press, 1915, pp. 177
- ^ Hyde, George E. Life of George Bent: Written from his Letters Norman: U of OK press, pp. 240-241