Sawyers Fight facts for kids
The Sawyers Fight was a series of clashes that happened in 1865. It involved a group of people trying to map out new roads. These roads would help settlers travel from Nebraska to Montana. The group was led by James A. Sawyers. Even though it wasn't a military mission, they were attacked by Arapaho warriors. This happened because the Arapaho were upset about a recent battle at the Tongue River.
Quick facts for kids Sawyers Fight |
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| Part of the Powder River War, Sioux Wars | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
Arapaho Indians | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| James A. Sawyers | unknown | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| civilian surveyors detachment of 6th Michigan Cavalry |
unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 3 killed | 0 | ||||||
Contents
Why the Fight Happened
In 1865, the United States government wanted to build a new road. This road would go from the Niobrara River to Virginia City, Montana. It was meant to help people move west. James A. Sawyers was chosen to lead this important road-building trip. He had a military escort to protect his team. These soldiers were called "Galvanized Yankees."
At the same time, General Patrick Edward Connor was leading his own military trip. This was called the Powder River Expedition. General Connor warned Sawyers not to go into areas where Native American tribes were living. These areas were known to be dangerous. But Sawyers decided to go anyway.
Sawyers' group was attacked near Gillette, Wyoming. They had to quickly find safety at Fort Connor. This showed how risky their journey was.
The Main Fight
After the first attack, Colonel James H. Kidd was in charge at Fort Connor. He gave Sawyers a new group of soldiers from the 6th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. This new escort would help Sawyers continue his road-building mission.
Sawyers and his team left the fort. They followed a military road that General Connor's troops had recently made. This road led them to the Bozeman Trail.
- On August 31, Captain Osmer Cole, one of the soldiers, was killed by Arapaho warriors.
- Despite this, Sawyers' wagon train kept moving. They reached a crossing on the Tongue River.
- On September 1, they started to cross the river.
What Sawyers didn't know was that General Connor had attacked the Arapaho people just four days earlier. This attack happened very close to where Sawyers was. The Arapaho, led by Chief Black Bear, were very upset. They thought Sawyers' group was more soldiers coming to fight them.
Attacks and Retreats
As the wagons crossed the river, Arapaho warriors attacked. They scattered the expedition's cattle herd. The soldiers quickly set up a small cannon, called a howitzer. Sawyers gathered the wagons together for protection.
The Arapaho seemed to leave, so Sawyers continued along the trail. But they were attacked a second time! They tried to retreat to the river to find a different path. While doing this, they were attacked again.
Sawyers then moved his wagons back upstream and formed a protective circle for a third time. Sadly, two more members of his team were killed. By nightfall, Sawyers' group was in a very difficult situation.
Meeting with the Arapaho
The next morning, the Arapaho leaders met with Sawyers. They explained that General Connor's troops had taken their horses. They wanted their horses back. The Arapaho believed Sawyers' group was part of Connor's army.
Sawyers and the Arapaho chiefs agreed to a plan. Each side would send three men to find General Connor. The Arapaho hoped to get their horses back. Sawyers hoped to get more soldiers to help him continue his journey.
For several days, Sawyers' men and the Arapaho faced each other. The weather was bad, and no one heard from General Connor.
A New Leader
On September 12, the men in Sawyers' group decided they had had enough. They had not heard from General Connor. They chose a new leader and decided to turn back. On September 13, the expedition broke away from the Arapaho and started heading back to Fort Connor.
What Happened Next
The group's retreat did not last long. Reinforcements sent by General Connor arrived. These new soldiers were led by Captain Albert E. Brown. With Captain Brown's help, Sawyers took back command of his expedition. They turned around and headed back toward Virginia City.
This third attempt to reach Virginia City was much smoother. They met almost no hostile Native Americans.
Today, a monument stands near Dayton, Wyoming, along U.S. Route 14 in Wyoming. It marks the location of this historic fight.
