The Arikara War – The First Plains Indian War

The year 1823 marks a significant turning point in the relationship between the United States and the Native American tribes of the Great Plains. It was then that the Arikara War erupted, a conflict widely recognized as the first major Plains Indian War between the burgeoning nation and the indigenous people of the American West. This clash set the stage for decades of conflict and displacement, profoundly shaping the history of the region and the lives of its inhabitants.

The Arikara people, also known as the Arikaree or Ree, were a semi-nomadic tribe who had established a presence on the plains of present-day South Dakota for centuries. Unlike their more nomadic neighbors, the Arikara practiced agriculture, cultivating crops from villages constructed along the Missouri River. Their unique position made them central in trading with other tribes and white settlers venturing westward. This position, however, also made them vulnerable to the pressures of westward expansion.

For years, the Arikara endured the incursions of traders and settlers. Although generally not considered friendly towards these newcomers, their relationship remained somewhat stable until a tragic incident ignited simmering tensions. The event was the death of a chief’s son at the hands of an employee of a fur trading company. This act became the catalyst for an explosion of pent-up resentment and fear over the gradual loss of their ancestral lands.

On June 2, 1823, the Arikara retaliated against the encroachment by attacking a trapping expedition belonging to the Rocky Mountain Fur Company as it traveled along the Missouri River. The assault resulted in the deaths of approximately a dozen traders, sending shockwaves through the frontier settlements and prompting swift calls for retribution. The survivors of the attack retreated downriver, where they anxiously awaited reinforcements to exact revenge.

The response from the U.S. government was decisive. Colonel Henry Leavenworth led a formidable force consisting of approximately 230 U.S. Army soldiers, around 750 Sioux warriors, and 50 trappers, all intent on punishing the Arikara for their actions. This alliance itself speaks volumes about the complex dynamics of the frontier, where the U.S. military often relied on the assistance of other Native American tribes to subdue those deemed hostile.

On August 9, 1823, Leavenworth’s forces launched an attack on the Arikara village. The assault resulted in the deaths of an estimated 50 Arikara warriors. Six days later, on August 15th, the military forces burned the village. The act of destruction served as a harsh message to other tribes, including the Crow and Blackfeet, that resistance to American expansion would not be tolerated. In the aftermath, the U.S. Army constructed a post near the destroyed village, solidifying their presence in the region and further asserting their dominance.

However, the outcome of the Arikara War sparked a considerable debate within the American government and public. While the military had successfully subdued the Arikara, Colonel Leavenworth’s decision not to completely eradicate the tribe drew criticism from those who advocated for the complete subjugation of Native Americans. This division highlighted the conflicting attitudes towards Native Americans that existed within American society at the time, ranging from those who sought peaceful coexistence to those who favored outright removal or extermination.

Beyond its impact on the Arikara people, the conflict also played a significant role in the larger geopolitical landscape of the early 19th century. The Missouri River region was a focal point in the competition between the United States and Great Britain for control of the lucrative fur trade and access to territories further upriver, including the Pacific Coast. The Arikara War effectively solidified American dominance in the region, paving the way for the expansion of the American fur trade and exploration efforts.

The aftermath of the war brought further hardship to the Arikara. In the 1830s, the tribe was decimated by a devastating smallpox epidemic, a disease introduced by European settlers to which they had no immunity. The already weakened Arikara were further pressured by the Sioux, who eventually forced them to abandon their ancestral lands in the 1870s.

Displaced and struggling to survive, the Arikara migrated north into present-day North Dakota. They settled near the Fort Clark Trading Post on the Knife River, where they began to forge closer relationships with the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes who inhabited the area. These three tribes, each with their own distinct cultures and histories, would eventually become known as the Three Affiliated Tribes.

In a remarkable turn of events, the Arikara, driven by the need for protection and economic opportunity, began to work as scouts for the U.S. Army stationed at nearby Fort Stevenson. Their knowledge of the terrain and their skills as trackers made them invaluable to the military. In 1874, they even served as guides for General George Armstrong Custer on his infamous Black Hills Expedition, which ultimately led to the discovery of gold and further intensified conflicts with the Sioux.

Tragically, the Arikara’s association with the U.S. Army would lead to further sorrow. In 1876, a large contingent of Arikara scouts accompanied Custer and the 7th Cavalry on the Little Bighorn Expedition against the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne. They served as the vanguard, leading the soldiers towards the Native American encampment.

During the ensuing Battle of the Little Bighorn, three Arikara warriors – Little Brave, Bobtail Bull, and Bloody Knife – were killed alongside approximately 260 other soldiers under Custer’s command. In the aftermath of the disastrous defeat, the Arikara scouts were unfairly blamed by some for the loss. This scapegoating added insult to injury, further compounding the suffering of a tribe that had already endured so much.

Despite the hardships they faced, the Arikara people persevered. Today, they remain closely associated with the Hidatsa and Mandan tribes as the Three Affiliated Tribes. They primarily reside on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota, working to preserve their cultural heritage and traditions. The Arikara War, though a tragic chapter in their history, serves as a reminder of their resilience and their enduring spirit.

The Arikara War was more than just a single battle; it was a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of a long and complex struggle for control of the Great Plains. The legacy of the war continues to resonate today, reminding us of the profound impact of westward expansion on Native American tribes and the importance of understanding and respecting their history and culture. The Arikara War is a somber tale that shows what happens when two very different cultures clash.