It was November of 1876, some five months after the battle of the Little Bighorn, with the Cheyenne, Dull Knife, wintering in his village of 150 lodges. During the night Captain Ranald S. Mackenzie moved his troops into attacking position. As dawn approached he sent in his allied Pawnee mercenaries to attack the Cheyenne yet asleep in their lodges. Many Cheyenne warriors were slain while awakening, while others rushed naked into subfreezing temperatures to fight the Pawnee until the women and children could escape. As Mackenzie entered the empty village he ordered all indian horses shot, and all saddles and equipment burned.
After the savage attack, the remaining Cheyenne knew only one place of refuge, Crazy Horse’s village on Box Elder Creek. With few horses, and scarcely any blankets or moccasins, they set out on a forced march leaving a bloody trail in the snow where they passed. The first night twelve infants, and several older members froze to death. The second night some mounts were slain and infants placed inside body cavities to keep them from freezing. Elders thrust hands and feet in with the infants. They tramped across frozen snow covered ground for three days, the trail ever more marked with blood, before finally reaching Crazy Horse’s camp.
Crazy horse shared what his people had, but warned Dull Knife’s people to be prepared to run as he had not enough ammunition remaining to stand and fight the white man.
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