Dull Knife Fight

The Dull Knife Fight was given its name from Chief Dull Knife who led the Cheyenne warriors during the battle.

After the battles of the Rosebud and Little Bighorn, General George Crook received reinforcements and began to move up the Bozeman Trail against Crazy Horse. After learning of a Cheyenne war party he sent Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie into Wyoming to find it.

Mackenzie, with about 1,000 troopers and Pawnee warriors, found the Cheyenne camp of Dull Knife and Little Wolf along a fork of the Powder River. The Cheyenne warriors were having a celebration of their own because of a victory over the Shoshone Indians. Mackenzie waited until dawn then attacked. Mackenzie's attack drove the warriors from the village. Some were forced to leave their clothes behind and flee into the frozen countryside. Dull Knife began to offer stiff resistance and savage fighting continued. The Pawnee warriors fought with exceptional ability and the Cheyenne gave way and retreated from their village.

The battle ended Cheyenne resistance for all practical purposes. Dull Knife's force was left in the freezing weather without sufficient clothing and many froze to death and many surrendered shortly after.

Sources

• Dillon, Richard H. North American Indian Wars (1983)
• The Great Sioux War 1876–1877: Dull Knife Battle