The tragic events known as the Fort Robinson Massacre mark a grim chapter in American history, detailing the desperate struggle of the Northern Cheyenne people for self-determination and survival. This devastating incident unfolded in early 1879, following the Cheyenne’s forced relocation and their subsequent, harrowing journey back to their ancestral lands.
After enduring unbearable conditions on a reservation in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), the Northern Cheyenne, under the leadership of chiefs such as Dull Knife and Little Wolf, made the courageous yet perilous decision to return north. Their former homeland in the Black Hills of South Dakota beckoned, representing freedom from the starvation and disease that plagued them in the south. This epic journey, often referred to as the Northern Cheyenne Exodus, began in September 1878.
The Long Road North and the Cheyenne Raid
The journey of the Northern Cheyenne was fraught with peril and marked by fierce determination. As they traversed vast distances, driven by a profound desire to escape dire circumstances, they encountered settlers and faced increasing desperation for food and supplies. Along the way, their passage through Kansas led to a series of confrontations and isolated incidents of violence, subsequently labeled the Cheyenne Raid.
Upon reaching Nebraska, the band split. Chief Little Wolf’s group managed to evade capture and eventually found refuge in the sandhills of Nebraska before continuing their journey to Montana. However, Chief Dull Knife’s band, comprising approximately 150 men, women, and children, was captured near Fort Robinson in Nebraska in late 1878.
Confinement and Defiance at Fort Robinson
The capture of Dull Knife’s band at Fort Robinson initiated a tense standoff. In November, the U.S. government issued orders for the Cheyenne to be returned to the Indian Territory, a directive they vehemently refused. Their experiences in the south had been so traumatic that they declared they would rather die than face those conditions again. Negotiations between the Cheyenne leaders and military officials proved fruitless, as neither side would yield.
As January 1879 dawned, with the Cheyenne steadfast in their refusal to move, the soldiers confined them to unheated barracks. In a brutal attempt to coerce their compliance, the military cut off all rations and denied them wood for heat during the bitter Nebraska winter. This inhumane treatment only strengthened the Cheyenne’s resolve, cementing their decision to fight for their lives and freedom.
The Desperate Escape and the Fort Robinson Massacre
On January 9, 1879, faced with certain death from cold and starvation, most of Dull Knife’s band launched a desperate escape from their confinement. Utilizing what few weapons they possessed, they burst from the barracks into the frigid night. The U.S. Army immediately pursued, launching a relentless hunt for the fleeing Cheyenne. By the next day, soldiers had recaptured 65 individuals, 23 of whom were wounded.
The pursuit continued over several days, culminating in a series of skirmishes. On January 22, the remaining 32 escapees, severely outnumbered and poorly armed against 150 well-equipped soldiers, were cornered. In a brutal engagement, most were killed. The entire escape and subsequent battles resulted in a devastating loss for the Cheyenne, with estimates ranging from 32 to 64 people killed and 23 wounded. In contrast, the U.S. Army reported 11 soldiers and one scout killed, with nine wounded. Only about ten Cheyenne, including Chief Dull Knife himself, managed to evade the military and either joined Little Wolf’s band or found sanctuary at the Sioux reservation.
Public Outcry and Calls for Justice
News of the Fort Robinson Massacre spread quickly, reaching major newspapers across the Midwest and East Coast. The harrowing tale of the Northern Cheyenne’s treatment and their courageous, albeit tragic, flight ignited a firestorm of public outrage. Despite earlier negative publicity surrounding the Cheyenne Raid in Kansas, public sentiment began to shift, garnering sympathy and support for the Northern Cheyenne cause. The New York Times, in a searing editorial, reserved its harshest judgment for the federal government:
“The bloody affair at Fort Robinson is, let us hope, the final scene in an Indian drama which, from beginning to end, has been a disgrace to the Government and the people. The Cheyenne bands of Dull Knife and Old Crow are not, it is true, the sort of Indians to excite sentimental sympathy… They committed many outrages on their road through Kansas… Nevertheless, it is a verifiable fact that the Government had been shamefully remiss in its treatment of these Indians and thus tempted them to the revolt which has had so bloody a course and ending.”
This widespread condemnation compelled General George Crook to dispatch a board of officers to investigate the massacre. Of the 78 Northern Cheyenne who were recaptured and returned to Fort Robinson, several men – Wild Hog, Tangle Hair, Strong Left Hand, Old Crow, Porcupine, Noisy Walker, and Blacksmith – were suspected of instigating the depredations in Kansas. They were taken to Fort Leavenworth, then Dodge City for trial.
The Trials and a New Home
The trials of the Cheyenne leaders and warriors unfolded in Ford and Douglas Counties, Kansas, in the ensuing months. Despite the gravity of the accusations, the evidence presented against them proved insufficient for conviction. In October 1879, by order of Judge Stephens of Lawrence, Kansas, the imprisoned Cheyenne were finally released, a testament to the lack of conclusive proof of their guilt in the alleged atrocities.
The public outcry and the subsequent investigation ultimately led to a significant, albeit delayed, victory for the Northern Cheyenne. After years of struggle and the tragic loss of life at Fort Robinson, a reservation for the Northern Cheyenne was finally established in southeastern Montana, near the Black Hills – their long-sought homeland. This Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation ensured they would never again be forced to return to the oppressive conditions of the south, marking a crucial moment in the fight for indigenous rights and self-determination.
Conclusion
The Fort Robinson Massacre stands as a powerful and somber reminder of the injustices faced by Native American tribes during the westward expansion of the United States. It highlights the profound human cost of broken treaties and misguided policies, as well as the unwavering resilience and spirit of a people determined to protect their way of life. The Northern Cheyenne’s arduous journey, their defiance, and the ultimate establishment of their Montana reservation serve as a testament to their enduring strength and the long, difficult path towards justice and sovereignty.
