Battle of Wolf Mountain, Montana – Legends of America
On a crisp January day, amidst the rugged terrain of southern Montana, a pivotal clash unfolded that would reverberate through the annals of the Great Sioux War of 1876. The Battle of Wolf Mountain, fought on January 8, 1877, stands as a testament to the tenacity of both the United States Army and the combined forces of the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne warriors. This engagement marked the culmination of Colonel Nelson A. Miles’ relentless winter campaign, a pursuit aimed at bringing the elusive Crazy Horse and his warriors to heel after their devastating victory at the Little Bighorn the previous summer.
The Winter Campaign: A Relentless Pursuit
Following the shocking defeat of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his men at the Battle of Little Bighorn in June 1876, the United States Army launched a concerted effort to subdue the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne tribes. Colonel Nelson A. Miles, a seasoned and determined officer, was tasked with leading a winter campaign to track down and neutralize the Native American forces.
Undeterred by the harsh Montana winter, Miles and his troops embarked on a grueling pursuit across the snow-covered plains. In October 1876, Miles achieved a significant breakthrough when he captured and returned approximately 2,000 Native Americans to the reservation. However, the elusive Crazy Horse and a contingent of his warriors remained at large, prompting Miles to continue his relentless pursuit despite the blizzards and extreme cold.
The Clash at Wolf Mountain: A Surprise Encounter
On January 7, 1877, Miles and his men established a camp along the Tongue River, nestled on the southern flank of the Wolf Mountains. Unbeknownst to them, Crazy Horse and his band of approximately 800 warriors were lurking nearby, ready to strike.
The following morning, January 8, the tranquility of the winter landscape was shattered by the sudden eruption of gunfire. Crazy Horse and his warriors launched a surprise attack on the unsuspecting army camp. The initial assault caught the soldiers off guard, but Miles, a seasoned commander, quickly rallied his troops.
In a stroke of tactical brilliance, Miles had disguised his howitzers as ordinary wagons, concealing their true nature from the approaching warriors. As the Native American forces pressed their attack, Miles unleashed the hidden artillery, sending a devastating barrage of shells into their ranks.
The unexpected firepower of the howitzers quickly turned the tide of the battle. The Native American warriors, taken aback by the sudden onslaught, were forced to retreat and seek refuge on the bluffs overlooking the army camp.
Assault on the Bluffs: A Test of Courage
With the Native American forces now entrenched on the bluffs, Miles ordered his troops to launch an assault on their position. The soldiers, undeterred by the steep terrain and the withering fire from above, charged up the bluffs, engaging the warriors in fierce hand-to-hand combat.
The battle raged on, with both sides displaying unwavering courage and determination. The Native American warriors fought valiantly to defend their position, while the soldiers pressed their attack with relentless tenacity.
As the battle reached its climax, a sudden snowstorm descended upon the battlefield, enveloping the bluffs in a swirling whiteout. The blizzard provided cover for the Native American warriors, allowing them to withdraw from the bluffs and disappear into the surrounding wilderness.
Aftermath and Surrender: The End of an Era
The Battle of Wolf Mountain, though not a decisive victory for either side, marked a turning point in the Great Sioux War of 1876. The relentless pursuit by Colonel Miles and the unwavering resolve of his troops had taken its toll on the Native American forces.
In the months following the battle, many of the Native American warriors, including Crazy Horse and Dull Knife’s Cheyenne, began to surrender to the authorities. In the spring of 1877, they arrived at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, marking the end of their armed resistance and the beginning of a new era.
Preservation and Remembrance: A National Historic Landmark
Today, the battlefield of Wolf Mountain stands as a silent testament to the events that unfolded there over a century ago. Located on the east side of the Tongue River, beneath the shadow of Pyramid Butte, the site has remained largely unchanged since 1877.
A gravel road now traverses the valley where Miles established his camp, ascends the bluffs where the final Indian stand took place, and continues towards the town of Birney. However, aside from the road, the landscape remains as it was, allowing visitors to step back in time and imagine the events that transpired on that fateful day.
In recognition of its historical significance, the Wolf Mountains Battlefield was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2008. This designation ensures that the site will be preserved for future generations, allowing them to learn about and reflect upon the events that shaped the American West.
The Battle of Wolf Mountain serves as a reminder of the complex and often tragic history of the American West, a time of conflict and change that continues to resonate in the American consciousness. It is a story of courage, determination, and the clash of cultures that ultimately shaped the nation we know today.