Battle of Slim Buttes, South Dakota – Legends of America
The Battle of Slim Buttes unfolded in the rugged terrain of Harding County, South Dakota, on September 9 and 10, 1876. This clash pitted the United States Army against the resilient warriors of the Sioux Nation, marking a significant event in the tumultuous era of the Great Sioux War.
Prelude to Conflict: The Aftermath of Rosebud and Little Bighorn
The backdrop to this battle was painted by the resounding defeats suffered by the U.S. Army at the battles of Rosebud and Little Bighorn in Montana during June 1876. These stunning victories for the Native American tribes sent shockwaves through the military command, prompting a determined response from General Phillip H. Sheridan, who oversaw the Department of Missouri. In a bid to regain the upper hand, Sheridan ordered Generals Alfred Terry and George Crook to relentlessly pursue the elusive Indian warriors and their vast network of followers.
As the summer months waned, the two generals found themselves struggling to locate any substantial bands of Native Americans. By September, their paths diverged at the mouth of the Powder River in Montana. General Crook, driven by the hope of encountering the elusive tribes, directed his forces eastward toward the Little Missouri River in western North Dakota. His strategy hinged on the assumption that the Indian trails would lead him to their hidden encampments within the Black Hills. Despite dwindling provisions and the arduous nature of the terrain, Crook made the audacious decision to embark on a 200-mile trek south.
Crook’s Starvation March: A Test of Endurance
The arduous journey undertaken by Crook’s command of approximately 2,000 men would later be infamously dubbed "Crook’s Starvation March." The unforgiving weather conditions, characterized by relentless rain, combined with the scorched earth policy that had denuded the prairie of vital grazing land, placed immense strain on both the troops and their animals. The horses, deprived of adequate feed, grew increasingly weak and exhausted.
The relentless pace of 25 to 35 miles per day took a heavy toll on the already depleted resources of the expedition. As the column pressed onward, exhausted horses and mules succumbed to the harsh conditions, their carcasses providing a meager source of sustenance for the starving men.
A Desperate Mission: Seeking Relief in Deadwood
With the campaign teetering on the brink of collapse due to dwindling supplies, General Crook made a critical decision on September 7, 1876, as his troops reached the Grand River. He dispatched a contingent of 150 men, led by the capable Captain Anson Mills of the 3rd Cavalry, on a mission to reach the bustling town of Deadwood, South Dakota. Their objective was clear: secure a desperately needed supply of food and provisions to sustain the struggling command.
Serendipitous Discovery: An Indian Village at Slim Buttes
Fate intervened on September 8th as Captain Anson Mills’ column cautiously advanced toward the Black Hills. Frank Grouard, the astute chief scout, spotted an Indian village nestled along the banks of a small stream known as Rabbit Creek at Slim Buttes. Further investigation revealed the presence of a diverse gathering of Native Americans, including the Oglala Chief American Horse and his followers, as well as members of the Minneconjous, Brule, and Cheyenne tribes. The village comprised approximately 37 lodges, housing an estimated 260 people, of whom 30 to 40 were seasoned warriors.
Upon receiving this crucial intelligence, Captain Mills made the strategic decision to conceal his troops within a nearby ravine, meticulously planning a surprise attack on the unsuspecting village the following morning.
The Assault Begins: A Clash of Cultures
As dawn broke on September 9th, the pack train was secured with a detachment of 25 men, while Mills’s Third Cavalry troopers, under the command of Lieutenant John W. Bubb, stealthily surrounded the village. With a sudden and overwhelming force, they launched an indiscriminate attack, targeting men, women, and children alike.
Caught completely off guard, the Indians fought valiantly to defend their homes and families. Some managed to cut their way through the rawhide of their tipis, firing volleys at the encroaching soldiers before retreating into the surrounding brush and ravines, carrying their dead and wounded with them. The initial assault resulted in casualties on both sides, with two men from Company E wounded, including Lieutenant Adolphus Von Luettwitz, whose kneecap was shattered, and Private Currin, who sustained a thigh wound. Von Luettwitz’s injury was so severe that it necessitated the amputation of part of his leg.
Undeterred, the surviving Indians regrouped and launched a counterattack, encircling the soldiers. The ensuing firefight was intense, with casualties mounting on both sides. Captain Crawford, recognizing the need to assess the situation, ordered J.A. Kirkwood to lead a team of five men into the lodges to determine if any Indians remained. However, the lodges were deserted, and the surviving Indians had already sent word of the attack to neighboring villages.
A Desperate Defense: The Battle Intensifies
In a nearby ravine, a group of determined Indians continued to fire upon the troops. John Wenzel of Company E was struck in the forehead and killed instantly. Private Kirkwood and Private Clevensky attempted to flank the Indians but were unsuccessful, resulting in Kirkwood sustaining a flesh wound and Sergeant Glass suffering a shattered arm.
Following the Indians’ withdrawal, the soldiers cautiously entered the deserted village, taking stock of its contents. They confiscated a substantial amount of provisions, including over 5,500 pounds of dried meat, dried fruits, robes, ammunition, arms, and several hundred ponies. The troopers also discovered items that had been taken from the Battle of Little Bighorn, including a 7th Cavalry Regiment flag, the bloody gauntlets of slain Captain Myles Keogh, 30 saddles, three 7th Cavalry horses, and other personal effects of the fallen soldiers. In one tipi, a staggering $11,000 in cash was found. After looting the village, the soldiers set it ablaze.
Crook’s Displeasure: A Clash of Priorities
In the midst of the battle, Captain Mills dispatched three soldiers to General Crook with the message that he had captured an Indian village. Upon hearing the news, Crook was enraged, as his primary concern was obtaining food for his starving men. He had specifically instructed Mills to avoid engaging in combat with large villages and instead to "cut around it."
Reinforcements Arrive: The Tide Turns
The next morning, the Indians, having bolstered their numbers, renewed their attack on the soldiers. General Crook arrived at approximately 11:30 a.m., and the fighting continued, resulting in the death of U.S. Scout Jonathan White, who was shot in the forehead.
A group of Indians, led by Chief American Horse, sought refuge in a ravine but were ultimately outnumbered and forced to surrender. Chief American Horse was shot through the abdomen during the fight and succumbed to his injuries several days later. By the end of the battle, it is estimated that the number of Indian warriors had swelled to around 800, while Crook’s forces numbered 2,000.
A Final Skirmish: Crazy Horse’s Withdrawal
That evening, the legendary Chief Crazy Horse and his band arrived to confront the soldiers. However, upon realizing the size of the opposing force, they withdrew after a brief skirmish, during which five men were wounded, including Private Edward Kennedy, who died during an amputation.
Aftermath: Casualties and Consequences
The total number of Indian casualties remains unknown, as many of their dead were carried away. However, the soldiers discovered a mass grave in the ravine, containing the bodies of four braves, six women, and 13 children. The soldiers under Captain Mills’ command suffered three fatalities and 14 wounded.
The following day, the three fallen soldiers and Von Ludwick’s amputated leg were buried. The men then built a large fire over the burial site to conceal it from the Indians. On September 10th, the command resumed its march towards Deadwood, transporting the wounded men on stretchers. As he was being carried, Lieutenant Von Ludwick repeatedly claimed that the Indians were mutilating his leg, and his fears were later confirmed. The next day, Major Mason was sent back with five companies of the 5th Cavalry to investigate, and they discovered that the remains of the dead soldiers had been exhumed, dismembered, and their bones crushed.
Significance: A Turning Point in the Great Sioux War
The Battle of Slim Buttes marked the first U.S. Army victory of the Great Sioux War of 1876. The relentless military pressure exerted throughout the fall and winter months gradually convinced many of the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes of the futility of continued resistance.
Commemoration: Remembering the Fallen
In August 1920, the Slim Buttes Battlefield Monument was dedicated to honor the memory of those who fought and died in the battle. The monument stands approximately half a mile northwest of the village and battlefield. Adjacent to the monument are three grave markers commemorating the three military men who lost their lives.
The monument is located off South Dakota Highway 20, a quarter-mile west of South Dakota Highway 79, approximately one mile west of Reva, South Dakota. A roadside historical marker has also been erected next to Highway 20.