In the summer of 1837, an American Fur Trading Company steamboat carrying trade goods traveled from St. Louis to Fort Union. Smallpox broke out among the crew, but the boat continued to its destination. Contact with the crew during the distribution of trade goods exposed the Wichiyabina, or Little Girls’ Band of Assiniboine, beginning a terrible epidemic that eventually affected all the tribes of what is now northeastern Montana. Many of the tribes had never been exposed to this virulent European disease and were extremely susceptible. The disease struck the young, vigorous, and most able-bodied family members with such swiftness that burial in many cases was impossible. Ninety-four percent of the Wichiyabina, or Little Girls’ Band of Assiniboine, died. By the winter of 1838, when the disease had run its course, the Wichiyabina, or Little Girls’ Band of Assiniboine, were no more. The 80 remaining band members joined with other smallpox survivors and formed the Redbottom Band, or Hudesabina, of Assiniboines. Today the Assiniboine people still mourn the untimely passing of so many of their ancestors, innocent victims of this dreadful pestilence.