Column: Cheyenne outbreak was part of bloody history in Nebraska

Six months after the June 25, 1876, Battle of Little Bighorn the Northern Cheyenne were defeated by Col. R.S. Mackenzie and ordered removed to Fort Reno, Indian Territory (today’s Oklahoma). After a 70-day march, the nearly 1,000 Cheyenne arrived but were assured it would be “on a trial basis,” and they could return north on request. Virtually as soon as they arrived in the warm, humid land they began dying, about 60 in the first few months. Sickness, lack of food and no medicine particularly took children and the elderly.

In late summer the Cheyenne informed Indian Agent J.D. Miles that they were exercising the option to return to Montana. Fearing the army would not honor the promise to allow their return north, they asked that they be allowed at least “to get a little distance from the agency…if you want a fight, [we] will fight you.” The Cheyenne were not looking for conflict, though a few disastrous conflicts did arise and avoided settlements on their northward treck. When they were intercepted and attacked by U.S. troops about 50 miles out, Lone Wolf promised they would not attack first but would respond if fired upon. Lone Wolf also told his warriors not to attack settlers but to kill any army troops who were trying to kill them. The army responded by firing, resulting in a one-and-a-half day battle but the army troops ultimately withdrew, and the northern march resumed.

In October the group divided into two, with Little Wolf leading his band to the Powder River and Dull Knife moving his faction north, planning to reunite with the friendly Sioux. Dull Knife and about 150 Cheyenne were summarily captured and taken to Fort Robinson where they were kept in barracks on the southwest corner of the parade grounds. Not truly prisoners at first, they were allowed to roam, so long as they returned for supper.

Cpt. Wessels, the fort commander, asked his superiors for permission for the Cheyenne to remain but the secretary of the interior insisted they be returned to Indian Territory and their leaders tried for supposed killings during their initial escape. Dull Knife refused, knowing they would die if they returned south and told Wessels “you may kill me here…if [you try] to send us back, we will butcher each other…rather than go.” Wessels imprisoned them in the barracks without firewood or food hoping to starve them into submission.