A late engagement of the Great Sioux War of 1876, it helped pressure Lakota and Northern Cheyenne forces toward eventual surrender.
Key Facts
- Date
- January 8, 1877
- Location
- Southern Montana Territory, ~4 miles SW of Birney, MT
- Conflict
- Great Sioux War of 1876
- National Historic Landmark
- Designated 2008
- NRHP listing
- Listed 2001
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Great Sioux War of 1876 arose from U.S. government attempts to seize the Black Hills and force Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne bands onto reservations. Holdout bands under various leaders continued armed resistance into the winter of 1876–1877 despite earlier military campaigns.
On January 8, 1877, United States Army soldiers engaged Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne warriors near the Tongue River in southern Montana Territory, approximately four miles southwest of present-day Birney. The engagement is also known by several names, including Miles's Battle on the Tongue River and the Battle of Belly Butte.
The battle added further military pressure on the remaining resistant bands during a harsh winter campaign. The Wolf Mountains Battlefield was later recognized for its historical importance, being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 and elevated to National Historic Landmark status in 2008.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent