The U.S. army spends two months trying…

The U.S. army spends two months trying to recruit and train a force capable of fighting the Plains tribes following the Battle of Little Bighorn.

During this period there is an extreme shortage of rations for the troops.

However, General Crook, reinforced with the Fifth Cavalry, takes to the field.

Hooking up briefly with General Terry, he soon moves out on his own but does not find a large village.

This march, often called a “starvation march”, causes poor morale among the soldiers and destroys their fighting capabilities.

By September 8, the troops are living off the meat from their horses.

Crook sends a train to bring supplies into Deadwood, a mining town in the Black Hills, together with a small group of troops to pick up the supplies and carry them back.

On September 9, 1876, this advance company stumbles across a small village of Oglala at Slim Buttes, which they attack.

The Oglala fight back fiercely.

Crook arrives with the rest of the troops the next day.

Fighting continues for one more day, until Crook takes his starving soldiers out in the hopes of trying to find food.

Ultimately, Crook’s regiment captures the Oglala supply of dried meat to last them through the winter, and captures or kills thirty-seven Oglala warriors.

On September 13, 1876 the starvation march ends when the troops come in contact with the train carrying their supplies.

The U.S. Army has finally found Lakota to fight and defeat; however, the troops are too worn out to pursue them.