In the tense summer of 1876, just weeks after the devastating defeat of George A. Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, a pivotal skirmish unfolded that would become known as the Battle of Warbonnet Creek. This encounter, occurring on July 17 in northwest Nebraska, pitted elements of the 5th U.S. Cavalry against a group of Cheyenne Indians, marking a critical moment in the ongoing Great Sioux War. The Battle of Warbonnet Creek, while relatively small in scale, carried significant strategic implications and etched itself into frontier folklore through the exploits of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody.
The U.S. military, reeling from Custer’s demise and facing a unified Native American resistance, was determined to prevent any further strengthening of the tribal forces. Their primary objective was to intercept a large contingent of Cheyenne warriors believed to be en route to join the victorious Sioux in the Powder River country of northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana.
The Tense Aftermath of Little Bighorn
The summer of 1876 was a period of high tension and aggressive military maneuvers following the catastrophic loss at the Little Bighorn. The U.S. Army, under immense pressure, mobilized its forces to contain and subdue the Native American tribes, primarily the Sioux and Cheyenne, who had demonstrated formidable unity and fighting prowess. Colonel Wesley Merritt, leading the 5th U.S. Cavalry, was tasked with a crucial mission: to sever the supply and reinforcement lines feeding the Native American encampments in the Powder River region.
Intelligence gathered by the cavalry indicated that approximately 1,000 Cheyenne warriors had departed from the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail Agencies in Nebraska. These agencies, meant to be sites of peaceful coexistence and supply, were in reality often conduits for Native Americans to acquire resources before rejoining their kinsmen in the field. The movement of such a large group of Cheyenne was perceived as a direct threat, potentially bolstering the Sioux and prolonging the conflict. Merritt’s cavalry aimed to intercept this group, forcing them back to the agencies and preventing their participation in further hostilities.
The Skirmish at Warbonnet Creek
On July 17, 1876, Colonel Merritt’s 5th U.S. Cavalry positioned itself strategically to intercept the Cheyenne. They had been tracking the large group of warriors heading north from the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail Agencies towards the Powder River. The encounter took place near Warbonnet Creek in what is now Sioux County, Nebraska. The cavalry, numbering around 800 strong, effectively ambushed the Cheyenne party, which was surprised by the military’s swift and decisive action.
The ensuing skirmish was relatively brief but intense. The U.S. soldiers, well-armed and organized, quickly gained the upper hand. The Cheyenne warriors, caught off guard and facing superior numbers, were unable to fully engage in a sustained battle. The primary goal of the cavalry—to prevent the Cheyenne from reinforcing the Sioux—was achieved. The Cheyenne were compelled to retreat, effectively ending their journey north and forcing them to return to the relative confines of the reservations. This tactical victory was a significant morale booster for the U.S. forces and a setback for the Native American alliance seeking to maintain their independence.
Buffalo Bill Cody and ‘The First Scalp for Custer’
The Battle of Warbonnet Creek gained an enduring, albeit controversial, place in American folklore due to the actions of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. At the time, Cody was serving as a civilian scout for the 5th U.S. Cavalry, a role that had already propelled him to a degree of celebrity. During the skirmish, Cody engaged in a dramatic individual combat with a Cheyenne warrior named Yellow Hair (sometimes rendered Yellow Hand or Yellowman).
According to Cody’s own account, he shot and killed Yellow Hair, then famously scalped him, proclaiming it
