Powder River War, Wyoming
The Powder River War, a significant, albeit often overlooked, chapter in the history of the American West, unfolded in the vast and challenging terrain of Wyoming and surrounding territories during the mid-1860s. This conflict, officially known as the Powder River Expedition (August-September 1865), represented a culmination of escalating tensions between the United States government and various Native American tribes, including the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho. Driven by westward expansion, the discovery of gold, and the relentless push to establish transportation routes like the Bozeman Trail, the stage was set for a collision of cultures and a struggle for control of the Powder River Country.
The genesis of the Powder River War can be traced back to the increasing encroachment of settlers and miners onto lands traditionally held by Native American tribes. The Bozeman Trail, a vital artery connecting the Oregon Trail to the goldfields of Montana, cut directly through the heart of these territories, disrupting hunting grounds, depleting resources, and violating treaty agreements. This blatant disregard for indigenous rights ignited a series of raids and skirmishes along the trail, prompting the U.S. military to respond with force.
Major General Grenville M. Dodge, a prominent figure in the Union Army during the Civil War, ordered the Powder River Expedition as a punitive operation aimed at quelling the Native American resistance and securing the Bozeman Trail. Dodge envisioned a three-pronged military campaign designed to converge on the Powder River region and subdue the tribes through a show of force. Leading this expedition was Brigadier General Patrick E. Connor, a seasoned military officer known for his aggressive tactics and unwavering commitment to westward expansion.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the U.S. government attempted to legitimize its actions through treaties signed at Fort Sully, South Dakota, in 1865. These treaties purportedly restored peace to the area and granted the government the right to build roads and forts within Native American territories. However, many Sioux leaders were either unaware of these provisions or refused to acknowledge their legitimacy, further fueling the flames of discontent and resistance.
General Connor’s strategy for the Powder River War involved dividing his forces into three distinct columns, each tasked with converging on Rosebud Creek around September 1, 1865. The "Right Column," commanded by Colonel Nelson Cole, consisted of approximately 1,400 Missouri Volunteers and 140 wagons. Their orders were to march up the Loup Fork of the North Platte River in Nebraska, skirt the northern edge of the Black Hills, and engage any hostile Native Americans encountered along the way. The "Center Column," led by Colonel Samuel Walker of the 16th Kansas Cavalry, comprised 600 men operating north from Fort Laramie, Wyoming, and west of the Black Hills.
General Connor himself led the "Left Column," which included approximately 675 troops and embarked on a direct march up the Bozeman Trail. This column had several objectives, including the construction of a new fort along the trail. On August 11, 1865, the troops reached the Powder River, where Colonel James H. Kidd and 200 men of the 6th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry began constructing Camp Connor, later renamed Fort Reno. Connor then divided his remaining 475 soldiers into two groups. One group, led by famed Pawnee scout Captain Frank North, consisted of 90 men each from the 7th Iowa and 11th Ohio Cavalries, along with 95 Pawnee scouts. This group continued north, engaging in minor skirmishes before encountering the Wyoming Chief Black Bear camp, where the Battle of the Tongue River would occur on August 29. The second group, commanded by Captain Albert Brown of the 2nd California Cavalry, comprised 116 volunteers and 84 Omaha Scouts. This group proceeded up the North Platte River to the Platte Bridge before heading northwestward to the Wind River and eventually eastward to rejoin Connor.
The Powder River War witnessed several key engagements, each contributing to the overall narrative of the conflict. The skirmish at Crazy Woman’s Fork on August 13, 1865, involved Captain Frank North and his Pawnee scouts, who found themselves in a precarious situation after pursuing a war party. The Battle of Bone Pile Creek, fought between August 13 and 15, 1865, saw a civilian expedition led by James Sawyers besieged by Sioux and Cheyenne warriors, highlighting the vulnerability of civilian travelers along the Bozeman Trail.
Another significant encounter occurred on the Powder River on August 16, 1865, when Captain Frank North’s Pawnee scouts ambushed a band of Cheyenne, resulting in significant casualties for the Cheyenne. However, the most notable engagement of the Powder River War was the Battle of the Tongue River, also known as the Connor Battlefield, fought on August 29, 1865. General Connor’s forces launched a surprise attack on Chief Black Bear’s Arapaho village, resulting in a decisive victory for the U.S. Army. The attack, however, came at a cost, with reports of civilian casualties among the Arapaho, including women and children.
The aftermath of the Battle of the Tongue River had significant repercussions. While the U.S. Army hailed it as a tactical victory, effectively ending the Powder River Expedition, the attack had unintended consequences. The Arapaho, feeling betrayed and vulnerable, forged an alliance with the Sioux and Cheyenne, bolstering their ranks and intensifying their resistance to westward expansion. This alliance would ultimately lead to Red Cloud’s War, a larger and more protracted conflict that further destabilized the region.
Simultaneous to the military operations, James A. Sawyers led a federally funded expedition tasked with improving the Bozeman Trail as a route from Niobrara, Nebraska, to Virginia City, Montana. However, Sawyers’ expedition faced constant harassment from Native American warriors and ultimately failed to achieve its objective, highlighting the challenges of establishing safe and reliable transportation routes through contested territories.
Despite the U.S. Army’s claims of victory and the signing of treaties, the Powder River War ultimately failed to resolve the underlying tensions between the government and the Native American tribes. The conflict served as a catalyst for further resistance and laid the groundwork for future conflicts, including Red Cloud’s War and the Great Sioux War of 1876.
Today, the Connor Battlefield State Historic Site, located near Ranchester, Wyoming, stands as a reminder of the Powder River War and the complex history of the American West. Although no physical evidence of the battle remains, the site serves as a place for reflection and remembrance, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives and experiences of those who shaped this tumultuous era. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.