The Combatants: Warriors

Plains Indian warriors ranged in age from their teens into their thirties, and as superb horsemen and skilled marksmen with bow and arrow they used athletic ability and knowledge of the terrain to trap enemies. Although Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors often fought and lived together, the gathering of so many of them during the winter was unique. Because of a Spiritual Leader’s vision before the confrontation, these tribes called the Fetterman Fight the battle of One Hundred in the Hands. American Horse was an Oglala Sioux who may have killed Captain Fetterman, and his account of Fetterman’s death matched military autopsy reports; he later became a prominent leader of his people during their cultural change from nomadic life to reservation life. Crazy Horse was a young Oglala Sioux warrior and member of the decoy party at the Fetterman Fight; ten years later he led warriors at the battles of the Rosebud and Little Big Horn, and as one of the last Sioux leaders to surrender to the U.S. Government, he was killed at Fort Robinson in 1877. Wild Hog was a leader of the Cheyenne tribe who fought in the Dull Knife battle and took part in the Cheyenne march from Oklahoma to Fort Robinson. Other Indian leaders included Iron Tail, Walking Rabbit, Painted Thunder of the Cheyenne, and Black Leg and Black Shield of the Sioux.

Wyoming · United States