Near Ogallala in Keith County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Escape of the Northern Cheyenne
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 3, 2021
1. Escape of the Northern Cheyenne Marker
By 1878 more than 300 Northern Cheyennes were desperate to escape their hated reservation in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Led by Dull Knife and Little Wolf, they headed for their homeland in the north, fighting their way across Kansas. At about noon on October 4, 1878, they arrived at a crossing of the South Platte River and the Union Pacific Railroad northwest of Alkali Station but east of Ogallala. Their arrival was observed and reported by telegraph to Fort Sidney.
Already aboard rail cars at the fort, the soldiers believed they could stop the Northern Cheyennes at this crossing. Arriving at 4 p.m., they began tracking the trail leading north, but the Cheyennes had already crossed the North Platte River and escaped into the Sandhills.
The Cheyennes soon parted ways. Little Wolf's people made it home to Montana, but Dull Knife continued to northwest Nebraska. His group was captured and taken to Ft. Robinson. They escaped January 9, 1879, but most were captured or killed in a running fight known as the Cheyenne Outbreak or Fort Robinson Massacre.
Erected 2018 by Nebraska State Historical Society; and Local Residents & Organizations. (Marker Number 549.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans
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Location. 41° 7.764′ N, 101° 36.988′ W. Marker is near Ogallala, Nebraska, in Keith County. Marker is on Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30) 5.4 miles east of U.S. 26, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located in a pull-out on the north side of US Highway 30. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ogallala NE 69153, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Court House Rock, Chimney Rock and Scott’s Bluffs (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ogallala and the Platte Valley (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ash Hollow (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Great Platte River Road (approx. 5.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Great Platte River Road (approx. 5.3 miles away); End of the Texas Trail (approx. 5.4 miles away); Standard Oil Gas Station (approx. 5.4 miles away); Keith County Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ogallala.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Escape of the Northern Cheyenne
Also see . . .
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 3, 2021
2. Escape of the Northern Cheyenne Marker
1. Northern Cheyenne Exodus (Wikipedia). The Northern Cheyenne Exodus, also known as Dull Knife's Raid, the Cheyenne War, or the Cheyenne Campaign, was the attempt of the Northern Cheyenne to return to the north, after being placed on the Southern Cheyenne reservation in the Indian Territory, and the United States Army operations to stop them. The period lasted from 1878 to 1879. (Submitted on August 3, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. The Cheyenne Homecoming. There were 350 runaways. Ninety-two were men of fighting age, while the remaining 261 were women, children and elderly. Each was resolved that it was far better to die trying to return home than to stay and resign themselves to a pitiful death from disease or starvation. Regional journalists had documented the Cheyenne flight from Indian Territory and by the time Little Wolf surrendered at Fort Keogh, support for their cause had grown. President Chester A. Arthur eventually issued an executive order establishing what was first called the Tongue River Agency in southeastern Montana. It later became the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. (Submitted on August 3, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 368 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
