Bates Battlefield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bates Battlefield
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Thermopolis, Wyoming |
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| Built | 1874 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002286 |
| Added to NRHP | November 20, 1974 |
The Bates Battlefield is a historic site in Wyoming. It was the location of a battle in 1874. During this event, a camp of Arapaho people was attacked. The attack was carried out by U.S. Army forces. These forces were led by Captain Alfred E. Bates.
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What Was the Bates Battlefield?
The battlefield is in a narrow valley. It is located in Hot Springs County, Wyoming. This area is close to where the Bighorn Mountains and the Owl Creek Mountains meet. This battle has been called by several names. Some of these names include the Bates Battle, the Battle of Young's Point, and the Nowood Battle.
The battle was part of a larger plan. Lieutenant General Philip Sheridan commanded this plan. His goal was to protect the Shoshone people. The Shoshone, led by Chief Washakie, lived in one place. They were often raided by their traditional enemies. These enemies included the Northern Cheyenne, the Sioux, and the Northern Arapaho.
Why Did the Battle Happen?
In June 1874, warriors from the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes made a decision. They planned to attack the Wind River Shoshones. As these warriors crossed the Big Horn Mountains, they had a disagreement. Some thought their trip was for fighting and taking things. Others believed it was only to steal horses. Because of this disagreement, the Arapahoes decided not to join the attack.
Captain Bates's Mission
General Sheridan then ordered Captain Bates to attack the Arapaho camp. Reports said the camp had between 40 and 112 lodges (homes). On July 1, 1874, Bates began his mission. He led Company B, 2nd Cavalry, with 63 cavalrymen. He also had 20 white and Shoshone scouts. These scouts were led by Lieutenant R.H. Young. A group of 167 Shoshone warriors also joined. They were led by Chief Washakie.
The Battle Begins
At daybreak on July 4, Captain Bates led his force. He had thirty cavalrymen and twenty Shoshone warriors. They attacked the Arapaho camp. This camp belonged to Black Coal's people. Lieutenant Young took his scouts around to the other side of the village.
At first, the fighting went well for Bates's group. But the Arapaho moved to a nearby high spot. From there, they began to shoot down at Bates's raiders. Bates then pulled his forces back from the village. He was not able to get back his own dead soldiers.
Battle Outcome
Bates's force suffered four soldiers killed. Five or six others were wounded. Bates reported that 25 Arapaho were killed. He also said 100 were wounded. However, other reports suggest the Arapaho had fewer casualties, possibly as few as ten.
Bates's force captured 350 horses. The village had between 1200 and 1400 horses in total. Bates felt he did not fully succeed. He blamed the noise made by the Shoshone for this. Accounts of the battle from different sides show many differences. People had different ideas about why the fight started. They also had different views on how it went and what happened in the end.
Protecting the Battlefield
The Bates Battlefield was recognized as an important historical site. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
- [Photographs of the Bates Battlefield at the National Park Service's NRHP database]
