Horsemeat March - The Horse Meat March

The Horse Meat March

Following the Battle of Little Bighorn, most of the Native warriors were not caught for nearly two months. The US army spent much of those two months trying to recruit and train a force capable of fighting the tribes. During this period there was an extreme shortage of rations for the troops, however Crook pushed his troops forward to Black Hills. This march, often called a “starvation march”, caused poor morale among the soldiers and destroyed their fighting capabilities. By September 8, the troops were living off the meat from the Cavalry’s horses. Crook sent a train to bring supplies into Deadwood, a mining town in the Black Hills. He sent a small group of troops to pick up the supplies and carry it back. On the way there the troops ran into the Lakota tribe, in particular, the band of Oglala. Near Slim Buttes, The troops, being led by Captain Anson Mills attacked and the Oglala fought back fiercely. The Battle quickly spiraled into one of the biggest battles on the Northern Planes since the Battle of Little Bighorn itself. Crook arrived with the rest of the troops the next day, but the Oglala camp was still much larger. The Battle continued for one more day, until Crook took his starving soldiers out in the hopes of trying to find food. Ultimately, Crook’s regiment captured the Oglala supply of dried meat to last them through the winter, and captured or killed 37 Oglala warriors. On September 13, 1876 the starvation march ended when the troops came in contact with the train carrying their supplies. The US Army did finally find the Lakota to fight and defeat, however the troops were too worn out to go in pursuit of them.