The Battle of Crazy Woman Creek, fought on July 20, 1866, in the rugged territory of Wyoming, stands as a stark reminder of the intense conflicts that defined the American West during Red Cloud’s War. This particular clash near the Crazy Woman Fork of Powder River was one among many where Native American warriors vehemently resisted the encroachment of the Bozeman Trail, a crucial route for settlers and miners. The engagement saw a small wagon train, escorted by U.S. soldiers, caught in a desperate struggle against superior numbers of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors, highlighting the perilous nature of frontier travel.
The Contested Bozeman Trail and Red Cloud’s War
The Bozeman Trail, extending from the Oregon Trail in Wyoming to the goldfields of Montana, was a direct and dangerous path through prime hunting grounds of the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes. Its establishment in the mid-1860s ignited fierce resistance from these Native American nations, who saw it as a direct threat to their sovereignty and way of life. This escalating conflict became known as Red Cloud’s War (1866-1868), named after the prominent Oglala Lakota leader who spearheaded the opposition.
U.S. Army forts, including Fort Reno, Fort Phil Kearny, and Fort C.F. Smith, were established along the trail to protect travelers, but they often served as flashpoints for hostilities. The presence of these forts and the constant flow of emigrants were perceived as invasions, leading to frequent skirmishes and ambushes. The summer of 1866 was particularly volatile, with Native American war parties actively targeting wagon trains and military detachments attempting to traverse the contested lands.
The Ill-Fated Wagon Train’s Journey
Against this backdrop of heightened tension, a small wagon train embarked on a journey north towards Fort Phil Kearny. This party was escorted by Lieutenant George M. Templeton and a detachment of 29 soldiers, underscoring the necessity for military protection in such hostile territory. Their route took them past Fort Reno, a crucial outpost along the Bozeman Trail, before they proceeded along Dry Creek to its junction with Crazy Woman Creek.
Travel along the Bozeman Trail was always fraught with danger. The landscape itself, with its vast, open plains and rugged river crossings, offered numerous opportunities for ambush. Travelers were constantly on alert, their lives dependent on the vigilance of their escorts and their own preparedness. The wagon train’s slow progress made them vulnerable, and the Native American warriors, intimately familiar with the terrain, used every advantage to intercept unwelcome intruders.
The Ambush at Crazy Woman Creek
As the wagon train neared the Crazy Woman Fork of the Powder River, Lieutenants Templeton and Napoleon H. Daniels rode ahead to scout the trail. This seemingly routine reconnaissance mission quickly turned into a deadly confrontation. More than 50 Sioux and Cheyenne warriors, lying in wait, launched a sudden and ferocious attack. Lieutenant Daniels was killed almost instantly, a tragic testament to the ambush’s effectiveness. Lieutenant Templeton, though wounded by an arrow in his back and injured in the face, managed to escape the initial onslaught and return to the main wagon train. His immediate action was to order the wagons to be corralled, a defensive maneuver intended to provide a measure of protection against the encircling enemy.
The situation for the wagon train was dire. Of the 37 individuals in the party, nine were women and children, making their vulnerability painfully clear. Compounding the challenge was the fact that only ten of the 19 enlisted soldiers were equipped with firearms, leaving a significant portion of the defense reliant on courage and desperation rather than firepower. The warriors, sensing an opportunity, pressed their attack, launching wave after wave against the beleaguered defenders.
A Desperate Stand and Timely Arrival
The Battle of Crazy Woman Creek raged from early afternoon until sundown, a prolonged and brutal engagement under the scorching Wyoming sun. The small group of soldiers and civilians fought valiantly, but their ammunition began to dwindle, casting a pall of hopelessness over their desperate defense. Recognizing the gravity of their situation, two brave men volunteered for a perilous mission: to ride back to Fort Reno for aid. These volunteers were a soldier and the Chaplain, Reverend David White, whose willingness to risk everything highlighted the party’s extreme plight.
However, fate intervened before the volunteers could depart. From the northwest, another, larger wagon train approached the scene, unbeknownst to those locked in battle. This train, comprising 34 wagons and 47 men under the command of Captain Thomas B. Burrowes, was also en route to Fort Reno. Their unexpected arrival dramatically shifted the balance of power. Captain Burrowes swiftly took command of both parties, consolidating their forces and presenting a more formidable defense. Faced with this reinforced opposition, the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors, rather than engaging a larger, better-armed force, chose to withdraw from the area.
Despite their eventual relief, the engagement was not without further tragedy. One of Burrowes’ men, Private Terrence Callery, who had been hunting ahead of his wagon train, was found killed, likely a casualty of the same warrior party before they engaged the first train. The following day, a grim discovery was made: the body of Lieutenant Daniels. It was found stripped, scalped, and pierced with 22 arrows, a brutal illustration of the ferocity of the conflict and the deep-seated animosity between the combatants. Both wagon trains, now combined and diminished, returned to the relative safety of Fort Reno.
Aftermath and Remembrance
The Battle of Crazy Woman Creek, though not among the largest engagements of Red Cloud’s War, serves as a poignant reminder of the constant dangers faced by those traversing the Bozeman Trail. It underscored the determination of Native American tribes to protect their lands and the harsh realities of frontier expansion. The loss of life, particularly the gruesome discovery of Lieutenant Daniels’ body, resonated deeply with the soldiers and settlers, reinforcing the perception of the West as a lawless and unforgiving place.
Today, the site of the battle is commemorated, offering a tangible link to this violent past. A stone monument and several interpretive signs stand near the battlefield, located close to the modern town of Buffalo, Wyoming. These markers serve to educate visitors about the historical significance of the area, honoring the memory of those who fought and fell on both sides of this enduring conflict. The legacy of Crazy Woman Creek, both as a historical site and a narrative of resilience, continues to be an integral part of Wyoming’s rich, often tumultuous, history.
