Cheyenne

Cheyenne veterans of the Battle of the Little Bighorn on the 50th Anniversary of the battle.

NPS- Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument collection

The Cheyenne had been allies of the Lakota Sioux for decades. Along with the Lakota, the Northern Cheyenne had fought in Red Cloud's War, and had participated at the battles of Beecher's Island in 1868, and Summit Springs in 1869, while the Southern Cheyenne had suffered grievously at the Washita in November 1868. Even though the Cheyennes were split between Northern and Southern groups, both sections fielded warriors for the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Among the Cheyenne who participated in the battle was Lame White Man, born a Southern Cheyenne but living among the Northern Cheyenne, and Wooden Leg, who was just 18 years of age at the battle.

After continued fighting against the U.S. Army in 1876 and 1877, many Northern Cheyennes were placed on reservations in Nebraska. Dull Knife, a noted chief, led an abortive attempt to escape but his Cheyenne were killed or recaptured. Today, most Northern Cheyenne live on a reservation in southern Montana.