Flight of the Cheyennes

Seven of the Tsétsėhéstȧhese (Northern Cheyenne) men who survived the Fort Robinson outbreak were brought to Kansas to answer for the killings near here: Old Crow, Wild Hog, Strong Left Hand, Porcupine, Tangle Hair, Noisy Walker and Blacksmith. Between September 30 and October 3, 1878, small parties foraging for horses, cattle and supplies had fallen on homesteaders newly settled along Sappa and Beaver Creeks in Decatur and Rawlins counties, and about 41 men and boys were killed. The seven faced a civilian court in Kansas in 1879, and the charges against them were dismissed.

What the plaque says

Flight of the Cheyennes After the 1876 Battle of Little Big Horn in Montana, tensions mounted between the U.S. government and the Plains Indians. The U.S. army intensified efforts to remove the Northern Cheyennes to Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in 1877. There the tribe experienced a lack of medical provisions, meager food rations, and conflict with other tribes. In 1878 chiefs Dull Knife and Little Wolf attempted to lead about 350 Northern Cheyennes back to Montana. The army pursued and engaged the Cheyennes in a number of skirmishes. As they passed through western Kansas, some Cheyenne warriors stole cattle and horses, killing cattlemen and settlers. Dull Knife's band was captured and escorted to Fort Robinson, Nebraska. To avoid being returned to Indian Territory, the Cheyennes unsuccessfully attempted to escape. U.S. soldiers and Cheyenne warriors, women, and children were killed in the outbreak. Survivors were relocated to Indian Territory. When a Northern Cheyenne Reserva- tion was established in Montana in 1884, some Cheyennes were allowed to return. Erected by the State of Kansas

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Stone Church — 25 mi