Little Wolf
Little Wolf was a prominent leader of the Northern Cheyenne during the 1860s and 1870s, known for his role as a warrior and his resistance against white encroachment on Native lands. His initially peaceful stance towards white settlers shifted dramatically after witnessing the massacre of his fellow Cheyenne, which propelled him into significant battles, including the Bozeman Trail wars and the Fetterman fight. He was a signatory of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty, which aimed to establish peace and protect Native American lands.
Despite efforts to negotiate and protect his people, Little Wolf faced great adversity, including a devastating attack on his village in 1876 that resulted in significant loss of life and resources. Following these events, he and around 1,000 Cheyennes were forcibly removed to Indian Territory, where many suffered from illness and death. In 1878, Little Wolf led a group of his people back towards their homeland, demonstrating resilience in the face of military pursuit. Eventually surrendering in 1879, he returned to Fort Keogh, Montana, where he lived for nearly three decades on the Tongue River Reservation. Even in his later years, despite losing his sight, Little Wolf remained mentally sharp and continued to be a respected figure among his people.
Subject Terms
Little Wolf
- Born: c. 1820
- Birthplace: Near the Eel and Blue rivers, Montana
- Died: 1904
- Place of death: Tongue River Reservation, Montana
Tribal affiliation: Northern Cheyenne
Significance: Little Wolf fought alongside such leaders as Crazy Horse and Gall in the 1860’s; along with Dull Knife, he led some 350 Cheyennes on a 1,500-mile journey from Indian Territory back to their Montana homeland
Little Wolf first distinguished himself as a warrior in battle against other tribes. In 1864, his generally peaceful attitude toward whites changed when he learned how Black Kettle and his people were killed. Along with fellow Cheyenne Dull Knife, Little Wolf fought in many of the major battles against whites that occurred in the northern Plains. He fought in the Bozeman Trail wars (Red Cloud’s War) in 1866-1868 and in the Fetterman fight of December, 1866. Little Wolf was one of the signers of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty. He was also one of the most active war chiefs in the war for the Black Hills in 1876 and 1877, under the leadership of Sitting Bull.
The village of Dull Knife and Little Wolf was attacked by eleven hundred cavalry troops under the command of Colonel R. S. Mackenzie on November 25, 1876. Forty Cheyennes were killed in the attack; just as devastating was the destruction of their tipis, clothing, and entire winter food supply. The night of the attack, temperatures dropped below zero and many more died. During the course of the fighting, Little Wolf was erroneously reported to have been shot a number of times. He surrendered the following May and was sent to Indian Territory. About 1,000 of his people were sent to the Darlington Agency in August, 1877, with hundreds becoming ill and 43 dying within the first two months. Little Wolf and Dull Knife failed to convince authorities to allow them to return home to Montana. Nevertheless, about 350 people, under their leadership, left for Montana in September, 1878.
The group divided en route, with some following Dull Knife and others going with Little Wolf. The group following Little Wolf eluded the thousands of troops pursuing them until March, 1879, at which time Little Wolf surrendered to W. P. Clark near the mouth of the Powder River. He and his people were returned to Fort Keogh, Montana, with the promise of a reservation in their homeland. Dull Knife’s group did not fare as well. Captured in October and imprisoned at Fort Robinson, many lost their lives in a winter attempt to escape.
Little Wolf and many of his warriors enlisted in the army as Indian scouts for General Nelson A. Miles, perhaps because military life seemed more familiar to them than reservation life. Little Wolf lived for almost thirty years on the Tongue River Reservation. Though blind in his old age, he remained mentally astute.