In the sweeping saga of the American West, some encounters fade into obscurity, yet hold profound significance for the events that follow. The Battle of Pease Bottom, fought on August 11, 1873, stands as one such pivotal, yet often overlooked, clash. Along the scenic yet strategic Yellowstone River in Montana, forces commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer of the 7th U.S. Cavalry engaged formidable Sioux warriors led by the legendary medicine man, Sitting Bull. This skirmish, part of the larger Yellowstone Expedition, offered an early glimpse into the tactical prowess of Native American forces and, perhaps more critically, solidified a dangerous underestimation in Custer’s mind that would lead to tragic consequences just three years later.
The Yellowstone Expedition of 1873
The 7th Cavalry, under Lieutenant Colonel Custer, was an integral component of the Yellowstone Expedition of 1873. This substantial military column, led by Colonel David S. Stanley, had a crucial mission: to safeguard the Northern Pacific Railroad survey party. Their task was to map the north side of the Yellowstone River, an area vital for the railroad’s expansion into eastern Montana. Stanley’s force was considerable, comprising approximately 1,300 men (cavalry, infantry, and artillery), 275 mule-drawn wagons, 353 civilians, and a contingent of 27 Indian and mixed-blood scouts. For Custer, this expedition marked his first direct engagement with the powerful Lakota Sioux nation, commanding eight companies totaling around 450 troopers.
The Morning Skirmish at Pease Bottom
The morning of August 11, 1873, erupted with the chilling sounds of battle. From the bluffs on the south side of the Yellowstone River, Lakota warriors initiated rifle fire into the unsuspecting 7th Cavalry camp, situated near the mouth of the Bighorn River. Following this initial barrage, war parties bravely forded the river, launching a series of calculated attacks and feints against the cavalry positions. The engagement was fierce, with the numerically superior Sioux warriors, estimated between 800 and 1,000 strong, demonstrating their combat effectiveness. These forces included Hunkpapa Sioux under Chief Gall, accompanied by Rain in the Face, Oglala Sioux led by Crazy Horse, and contingents of Miniconjou and Cheyenne warriors, all from Sitting Bull’s extensive village of 400-500 lodges.
Throughout the day, Custer’s cavalry found themselves engaged in a challenging pursuit, unable to decisively corner their agile adversaries. It wasn’t until late afternoon, with the timely arrival of Colonel Stanley’s infantry and artillery units, that the tide began to turn. The strategic deployment and subsequent cannon fire across the river ultimately compelled the Native American forces to withdraw, ending the day’s intense fighting.
An Ominous Precedent for Little Bighorn
While casualties at Pease Bottom were remarkably light – with one trooper killed and several wounded – the implications of the day’s events were profound. The 7th Cavalry had spent the better part of the day in a frustrating, largely futile chase of the Lakota. This experience, unfortunately, seemed to reinforce a dangerous misconception among Custer and many of his officers: the belief that Native American warriors would consistently retreat or flee in the face of a determined cavalry charge. This critical misjudgment would prove to have fatal consequences for Custer and his command just three years later, during the catastrophic Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Another Skirmish and Expedition’s End
A few days after Pease Bottom, another notable skirmish occurred near Pompey’s Pillar. Lakota warriors ambushed 7th Cavalry troopers swimming in the Yellowstone River, forcing the exposed men to scramble for cover, much to the amusement of the attackers. Following these engagements, the entire expedition marched north to survey a section of the Musselshell River for the east-west railroad route before returning to their forts in the Dakotas, concluding a contentious yet formative period in the region’s history.
Conclusion
The Battle of Pease Bottom, though not a large-scale engagement in the annals of the Indian Wars, was a significant precursor to more famous conflicts. It provided an early, clear demonstration of the tactical skill and resolve of the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors, particularly those led by such formidable figures as Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Gall. More importantly, it highlighted the developing strategies of Native American resistance and, tragically, cemented an overconfidence within portions of the U.S. Army leadership that would contribute to future military disasters. Pease Bottom stands as a testament to the complex and often misunderstood encounters that shaped the American frontier, reminding us that every battle, no matter its size, carries lessons that ripple through history.
