Battle of Prairie Dog Creek (1876) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Prairie Dog Creek
Part of the Great Sioux War of 1876
Sketch of the attack on Brig. Gen. George Crook’s command at Tongue River on June 9, 1876 published in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper
Date June 9, 1876 Location Sheridan County, Wyoming, and Rosebud County, Montana Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	Northern Cheyenne
Commanders and leaders
George R. Crook Anson Mills John G. Bourke	Unknown
Strength
950+ soldiers 100+ civilians	~200
Casualties and losses
2 soldiers wounded 1 mule killed 2 horses wounded	2 killed or wounded

The Battle of Prairie Dog Creek was a small but important fight. It was part of the Great Sioux War of 1876. This battle happened on June 9, 1876. It took place near where Prairie Dog Creek meets the Tongue River. This area is mostly in Wyoming Territory. People also called it the Skirmish at Tongue River Heights.

What Happened in the Battle

On June 9, 1876, soldiers and civilians were camped by the Tongue River. They were led by Brigadier General George R. Crook. There were over 950 United States soldiers and about 100 civilians.

While in camp, some people saw two Cheyenne warriors riding. They were on the bluffs (steep cliffs) across the Tongue River. Suddenly, about 200 hidden Cheyenne warriors fired their rifles. They shot from the bluffs into Crook's camp. Another small group of warriors stayed hidden. They planned to steal the soldiers' horses. They would do this when the soldiers were busy fighting.

General Crook quickly ordered his troops to attack. Companies C, G, and H of the 9th U.S. Infantry crossed the river. They waded through the very cold water. Then, they climbed the steep bluffs. Companies A, E, I, and M of the Third U.S. Cavalry also joined the fight. This cavalry group was led by Captain Anson Mills. They crossed the river to the west of the infantry.

A newspaper reporter named John F. Finerty was with the cavalry. He worked for the Chicago Times. The cavalry reached a group of cottonwood trees. There, they got off their horses. They left one man out of every four to hold the horses. The rest of the cavalrymen then moved forward on foot. They climbed up the bluffs.

Once at the top, the soldiers pushed back the Cheyenne warriors. They drove them about half a mile north. But the Cheyenne warriors gathered again at a second ridge. The soldiers then pushed them off that ridge too. They even crossed into Montana Territory. The warriors tried to regroup a third time. But this last effort did not last long. The Cheyenne warriors then retreated north. The warriors who wanted to steal horses did not try. The horses were too well guarded. This was the end of the Battle of Prairie Dog Creek.

Crook's Fight on Tongue River, June 9, 1876, as pictured by Harper's Weekly.

What Happened After the Battle

In this fight, two Cheyenne warriors were killed or wounded. Two soldiers had minor wounds. One of the soldiers' mules was killed. Also, two of the soldiers' horses were wounded. The soldiers seemed to enjoy this small fight. It helped break the boredom of their camp life. The Cheyenne warriors did not get to steal any horses.

Many of the same fighters from both sides would soon fight again. They would go north to the Battle of the Rosebud. This happened only eight days later. Many Cheyenne warriors also fought in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. That big battle was just 16 days after Prairie Dog Creek.

Where the Battlefield Is

The battlefield is on private land today. It is where Prairie Dog Creek meets the Tongue River. This area is in northern Sheridan County, Wyoming. It is also in southern Rosebud County, Montana. It is near the town of Decker, Montana.