Fort Robinson Massacre, Nebraska
The Fort Robinson Massacre, a tragic event etched in the annals of American history, unfolded in the harsh winter of 1879 at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. It stands as a stark reminder of the complex and often brutal relationship between the United States government and Native American tribes during the westward expansion era. The massacre was the culmination of a series of events sparked by the forced relocation of the Northern Cheyenne people and their desperate attempt to return to their ancestral lands.
Following the government’s policy of concentrating Native American populations onto reservations, the Northern Cheyenne were forcibly moved to Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma. This land, vastly different from their traditional hunting grounds in the north, proved unsuitable for their way of life. The Cheyenne suffered from inadequate rations, disease, and a profound sense of displacement. The promise of sustenance and a new beginning turned into a nightmare of starvation and cultural erosion.
Discontent simmered among the Northern Cheyenne, particularly within the band led by the esteemed Chief Dull Knife. In September 1878, driven by desperation and a yearning for their homeland in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Dull Knife and his followers made the courageous decision to return north. This journey, fraught with peril, became known as the Cheyenne Raid in Kansas, as the Cheyenne, desperate for supplies, engaged in skirmishes and raids along their route.
As the Cheyenne traversed the vast plains, their group eventually split. One faction, under the leadership of Chief Dull Knife, sought refuge near Fort Robinson, Nebraska, while the other, guided by the skilled warrior Little Wolf, ventured into the sandhills of Nebraska. Little Wolf’s band ultimately made their way to Montana, seeking a new life in familiar territory.
Dull Knife’s group, numbering approximately 150 people, was captured near Fort Robinson. The stage was set for a confrontation that would forever stain the history of the fort and the United States government. The government’s decision to forcibly return the Cheyenne to Indian Territory proved to be the catalyst for the ensuing tragedy. The Cheyenne, resolute in their refusal to return to the conditions they had endured in the south, declared they would rather die than be subjected to such hardship again.
Negotiations between the Cheyenne and government officials proved fruitless. The government, unwilling to concede to the Cheyenne’s demands, took a harsh stance. In January, soldiers confined the Cheyenne to barracks, cutting off their rations and denying them wood for heat amidst the unforgiving Nebraska winter. This act of deprivation served as a final spark, igniting the desperation that would lead to the tragic events of the Fort Robinson Massacre.
On January 9, 1879, the Cheyenne, driven to the brink, made a daring escape from the barracks. The escape was a desperate gamble for freedom, a testament to their resilience and unwavering commitment to their homeland. However, their flight was short-lived. The U.S. Army, with its superior numbers and weaponry, quickly pursued the fleeing Cheyenne.
The following day, soldiers returned to Fort Robinson with 65 captured Cheyenne, 23 of whom were wounded. The relentless pursuit continued, and on January 22, the soldiers cornered the remaining 32 escapees. Greatly outnumbered and poorly armed, the Cheyenne stood little chance against the 150 soldiers. The ensuing battle resulted in a devastating loss of life. This pivotal clash would be called the Fort Robinson Massacre.
The exact number of Cheyenne casualties during the escape and subsequent battles remains a subject of debate, but estimates suggest that between 32 and 64 Cheyenne were killed, approximately 23 were wounded, and 78 were captured. The U.S. Army suffered comparatively fewer losses, with 11 soldiers and one scout killed and nine wounded.
Amidst the chaos and bloodshed, a small number of Cheyenne, including Chief Dull Knife, managed to escape and find refuge with Little Wolf’s band or on the Sioux reservation. Their survival served as a beacon of hope amidst the despair of the Fort Robinson Massacre.
The events at Fort Robinson garnered widespread attention in Midwestern and East Coast newspapers. The Northern Cheyenne’s treatment and their courageous, albeit ill-fated, flight sparked public outrage and condemnation of the government’s policies. The Fort Robinson Massacre became a symbol of the injustices suffered by Native Americans at the hands of the United States government.
The New York Times, in a scathing editorial, criticized the government’s role in the tragedy, stating that the "bloody affair at Fort Robinson" was a disgrace to the government and the people. While acknowledging the Cheyenne’s actions during the Cheyenne Raid in Kansas, the editorial emphasized the government’s "shamefully remiss" treatment of the Cheyenne, which had ultimately led to their revolt.
In the aftermath of the Fort Robinson Massacre, General George Crook launched an investigation into the events. Of the 78 Northern Cheyenne who were recaptured and returned to Fort Robinson, seven were suspected of involvement in the depredations against civilians in Kansas. These men, including Wild Hog, Tangle Hair, Strong Left Hand, Old Crow, Porcupine, Noisy Walker, and Blacksmith, were taken to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and later to Dodge City for trial.
Despite the accusations against them, the evidence presented at the trials in Ford and Douglas Counties proved insufficient to secure convictions. In October 1879, Judge Stephens of Lawrence, Kansas, ordered the release of the accused Cheyenne.
The Fort Robinson Massacre and its aftermath prompted a shift in government policy toward the Northern Cheyenne. After considerable delay, a reservation was established for them in southeastern Montana, near the Black Hills. This marked a significant victory for the Northern Cheyenne, as they were finally allowed to remain in a region closer to their ancestral lands and were spared the forced return to the harsh conditions of Indian Territory.
The Fort Robinson Massacre stands as a somber chapter in American history, a testament to the tragic consequences of government policies that disregarded the rights and well-being of Native American tribes. It serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting the diverse cultures and traditions of all people, and of striving for a more just and equitable future.