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Opening battle of Sheepeater War, Tukudeka Shoshone win

Aug. 20, 1879

Opening battle of Sheepeater War, Tukudeka Shoshone win Tukudika (Sheepeater) men, women, and children at Medicine Lodge Creek, Idaho, in 1871. This photo was taken by U.S. Geological Survey employee William Henry Jackson.
After being accused of killing miners, which they denied, the US Military declared war on the Tukudeka band of Sheepeater Shoshone. On this day in 1879 a Tukudeka Shoshone raiding party attacks US soldiers led by Henry Catley. Two US soldiers were wounded and 23 pack mules were lost, with the American troops losing all their provisions. When the Tukudeka Shoshone were finally captured they were around 50 total people with only 15 warriors. Today Tukudeka Shoshone people live on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming and the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho.