Dull Knife Battlefield | military, historic landmark

 military, historic landmark

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While General Miles harassed the northern bands of indians with only 500 men, General Crook launched a massive expedition from Fort Fetterman on 14 November. His large column included elements of the 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th Cavalry, and 4th, 9th, 14th, and 25th Infantry. Altogether, Crook had about 1,500 Regulars, 400 Indian scouts, and about 300 civilians responsible for 168 supply wagons and 400 pack mules. On 22 November, his scouts located a large Cheyenne village at the base of the Bighorn Mountains. The principal chiefs of the village were Dull Knife and Little Wolf, with about 200 lodges and 400 warriors. Crook ordered Colonel Ranald Mackenzie to take all the scouts and 10 troops of cavalry, about 1,100 men, and make a strike for the village. On 24 November, the detachment made a difficult night approach march and attacked early on the morning of 25 November, achieving complete surprise. The Cheyenne fled for their lives, leaving their ponies, tepees, and food. Having exposed the Cheyenne to the elements, Crook returned to Fort Fetterman and let freezing temperatures and starvation finish the job of subduing the hostiles. Despite the serious losses at the Dull Knife battle, the Cheyenne refused to give up the fight and struggled north to join with Crazy Horse’s band of Sioux. It would now be up to Miles to finish the campaign.