Morning Star Dawn: The Powder River Expedition And The Northern Cheyennes, 1876 (campaigns And Commanders Series, Volume 2)

Robert M. Utley Award, Western History Association Distinguished Book Award, Army Historical Foundation Spur Award, Best Western Nonfiction Historical, (Finalist), Western Writers of America From a recognized authority on the High Plains Indians wars comes this narrative history blending both American Indian and U.S. Army perspectives on the attack that destroyed the village of Northern Cheyenne chief Morning Star. Of momentous significance for the Cheyennes as well as the army, this November 1876 encounter, coming exactly six months to the day after the Custer debacle at the Little Bighorn, was part of the Powder River Expedition waged by Brigadier General George Crook against the Indians. Vital to the larger context of the Great Sioux War, the attack on Morning Star’s village encouraged the eventual surrender of Crazy Horse and his Sioux followers. Unbiased in its delivery, Morning Star Dawn offers the most thorough modern scholarly assessment of the Powder River Expedition. It incorporates previously unsynthesized data from the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the U.S. Army Military History Institute, and other repositories, and provides an examination of all facets of the campaign leading to and following the destruction of Morning Star’s village. From A Recognized Authority On The High Plains Indian Wars Comes This Narrative History Blending Both American Indian And U.s. Army Perspectives On The Attack That Destroyed The Village Of Northern Cheyenne Chief Morning Star. Of Momentous Significance For The Cheyennes As Well As The Army, This November 1876 Encounter, Coming Exactly Six Months To The Day After The Custer Debacle At The Little Bighorn, Was Part Of The Powder River Expedition Waged By Brigadier General George Crook Against The Indians. Vital To The Larger Context Of The Great Sioux War, The Attack On Morning Star's Village Encouraged The Eventual Surrender Of Crazy Horse And His Sioux Followers. Unbiased In Its Delivery, Jerome Greene's Morning Star Dawn Offers The Most Thorough Modern Scholarly Assessment Of The Powder River Expedition. It Incorporates Previously Unsynthesized Data From The National Archives, The Library Of Congress, The U.s. Army Military History Institute, And Other Repositories, And Provides An Examination Of All Facets Of The Campaign Leading To And Following The Destruction Of Morning Star's Village--jacket. Preliminaries -- Camp Robinson To Fort Fetterman -- Cheyenne Interlude -- Cantonment Reno -- Imminence Of Attack -- Triumph And Despair -- Disconsolation All About -- Outcome. Jerome A. Greene. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 263-275) And Index. List of Illustrations page ix List of Maps x Preface and Acknowledgments xi Chapter One: Preliminaries 3 Chapter Two: Camp Robinson to Fort Fetterman 17 Chapter Three: Cheyenne Interlude 42 Chapter Four: Cantonment Reno 72 Chapter Five: Imminence of Attack 90 Chapter Six: Triumph and Despair 106 Chapter Seven: Disconsolation All About 153 Chapter Eight: Outcome 178 Notes 207 Bibliography 263 Index 276 ON A MID-SEPTEMBER DAY IN 1876, a column of more than two thousand battle-weary U.S. soldiers pulled up along the banks of the Belle Fourche River in what is now western South Dakota.