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Battles for Survival

An important battle was fought between the Shoshone and Bannock Indians on one side, and Crow Indians on the other, in view of this large flattop butte. Year after year, as game became scarce in other sections of the Indian Country, especially along routes traveled by the white settlers, more tribes depended on the Wind River Valley for their winter supply of meat, and it was increasingly difficult for the Shoshones to hold onto their prized hunting grounds.

With the growing strength of the Shoshone Tribe, other tribes would generally combine forces before starting for the Wind River Country. However, the leaders of the strong Crow Tribe still considered themselves equal to the task of defeating the Shoshones on their own. Shoshone scout, accompanied by his wife to signify that he was approaching on a peaceful mission, was sent to their camp with a message from Chief Washakie demanding that the Crows do their hunting in the territory extending from their campsite east, toward the Owl Creek Range, while Shoshone people hunted the Wind River Range country. The Crows relied by killing the Shoshone scout and sending a message back with his wife, stating that they were prepared and eager to treat the balance of his tribe in the same manner, and they would hunt wherever they pleased.

Word was sent to the friendly Bannocks who were camped on the banks of the Popo Agie river, a few miles south, and Chief Tigee with a party of Bannock fighting men soon joined the Shoshone in an attack on the Crow camp. The tribes proved to be so evenly matched, that as the battle continued into the fifth day it was apparent that neither side was able to gain an advantage, while men were being lost. It was finally agreed that Chief Washakie and Big Robber, the Crow Chief would have undisputed claim to the Wind River Valley. As both chiefs were noted fighters and bitter enemies, and neither tribe could afford to relinquish the privilege of hunting in the coveted Wind River Valley. The battle was heralded as a great event.

Each tribe sent its Chief away with disguised emotions, cheering them on to victory and with shouts of encouragement, while realizing the stark truth that one would not return alive. The battle took place at a safe distance from either tribe in order to be certain that there would be no chance of interference. With their own lives and the future of their tribes depending upon the outcome of this contest, each Chief mounted on his favorite horse, carrying a pointed lance and a shield. Lined on both sides of the conflict, members of both the Shoshone and Crow tribes were silent and tense.

Although excitement was at a high pitch each tribe looked on without interference, as they had agreed. As the battle raged back and forth, it soon became impossible to distinguish one fighter from the other in the distant haze of dust, and it was not until Washakie headed for his own camp that the outcome of the conflict became evident.

In victory, Chief Washakie was so impressed with the bravery of the Crow Chief that instead of taking his scalp, he had but out the heart of his antagonist and displayed it at the end of his lance until after the dance of victory held by the Shoshone warriors that night. One of the Crow girls captured during the battle was reported to have become the wife of Chief Washakie.

Trout Creek Battle 1872

The Sioux and Cheyenne finally persuaded the Arapaho tribe to join with them in an endeavor to wipe out the Shoshones, their common enemy. Each tribe alone numbered more fighting men than the Shoshones. Year after year the Shoshones had been pursued, only to successfully outwit their foe, and safely make the protection of the Wind River Mountains. The wily leadership of Washakie and the daring bravery of the men was a constant flaunt to these enemy tribes. In the early spring of 1872, the Shoshone were taken by surprise by the combined forces of these three tribes, and advance scouts brought back word that they had been cut off from their usual retreat into the mountains.

Trapped in the valley, and realizing that this was to be a battle upon which would depend the survival of the tribe, the people crossed the Trout Creek to higher ground and set up their lodges in a giant circle in preparation for the attack. Washakie ordered trenches to be dug inside each teepee, around the lower edge, sufficiently deep so that only the heads and enough of the bodies of fighting men were above the ground to permit them to shoot between the ground and the bottom of the teepee. The enemy, coming over a nearby ridge at dawn, observed the apparently hopeless plight of this small village, and were filled with confidence that their long hoped-for time to wipe out the Shoshone tribe had come. Gathering their forces they circled for the kill. Unseen by the attacking forces the Shoshones fired under their lodges from their buried positions and but a few of them were hit, while the invaders lost many men.

Several charges were made, each receiving the same reception. When they were no longer heavily outnumbered, and noting the confusion in the enemy ranks caused by their ever increasing losses, Shoshone warriors attacked by horseback. After a fierce running battle, the three enemy tribes were driven out of the Wind River country, sustaining heavy losses in both men and horses. Upon examination of the Shoshone teepees after the battle, they were found to be peppered with holes made by enemy bullets and arrows, many of which would surely have found their mark had the Shoshone warriors not been firing from their entrenched positions.

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Battles for Survival

Trout Creek Battle 1872

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Shoshone Business Council

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Battles for Survival

Trout Creek Battle 1872

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