Grattan Fight (initial conflict of the First Sioux War)

On this day in 1854, a contingent of soldiers entered a Sicangu and Oglala Lakota camp to apprehend someone accused of killing a Mormon settler's cow. Such issues were supposed to be resolved by the US Indian agent according to treaty agreements. After one of the soldiers fatally shot Chief Matȟó Wayúhi (Conquering Bear), the Sicangu Lakotas returned fire, resulting in the deaths of 29 soldiers, including Lieutenant John Grattan. Chief Matȟó Wayúhi was a signatory of the Fort Laramie Treaty (1851). At this time there had been a drought in the great plains for many years as well as the genocidal slaughter of the buffalo combining to cause mass starvation on great plains tribes including the Sicangu Lakotas. The cow in question had fallen behind as a Mormon settler train passed through the area and it was eaten by a Lakota person from a different band. Negotiations went poorly and Chief Matȟó Wayúhi was shot in the back as he turned away after stating that he had no authority over a person from another band, and that the warrior was his guest. Tȟašúŋke Witkó (Crazy Horse) was present, witnessing the killing as a teenager. This incident led to the opening of a serious of wars which would be known as the Dakota Wars from 1854–1891.

In response in September the US Army made a punitive attack known as the Harney Massacre (now in Nebraska). The Sicangu women and children they killed made up nearly half the fatalities; other women and children made up most of the prisoners they took.