Originally Posted by martentrapper
The Battlefield Detectives video was quite informative. But what comes to my mind while watching it is the mindset of the 2 sides. The indians were protecting their homes, their homeland. Their very way of life was at stake. Imagine the anger and hatred inside the warriors as they fought their battles.

After the battle the Indian bands, expecting pursuit, scattered in all directions. IIRC most returned to the protection of the reservation. The following winter, one band of Lakotas still out was surprised by a unit of cavalry (under George Crook?) guided by Pawnee Scouts. The Lakotas had been up celebrating all night because their men had gone against the Shoshones in the depth of winter and returned with 30 Shoshone scalps.

Middle of winter, relentless pursuit, and they somehow spend the time and effort to go out and slaughter 30 Shoshone Indians.

One thing to consider is in the summer of ‘76 well more than 1,000 well-armed Lakota and Cheyenne Warriors were deep inside Crow Territory on the LBH.

Absent the quick response by US cavalry against those Lakotas and Cheyennes, it seems plausible that the Crows could have suffered devastating losses.

"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744