In 1865 General Patrick E. Connor led the Powder River Expedition into this area as part of a broad military program to bring the Indians north of the Platte River under control and halt their depredations along the Western Trails. At this site Connor’s command located and attacked a large party of Arapaho under Black Bear and Old David, destroying 250 lodges. Much of the fighting was hand-to-hand combat, and many women and children were killed and captured. Later events proved the campaign of 1865 to be indecisive.