On this day in 1869, the U.S. Army, aided by fifty Pawnee Scouts, attacked an encampment of Cheyenne people in retaliation for raids by their Dog Soldiers (modern version shown), indiscriminately slaughtering men, women, and children. The conflict happened south of Sterling, Colorado.

The U.S. Army attacked the Cheyenne encampment from three sides at once, aided by scouts from the Pawnee tribe, hired by the United States to facilitate their suppression of Cheyenne and Sioux resistance to colonization.

Armed only with bows and arrows, the Cheyenne kept their attackers at bay until their arrows ran out. Approximately three dozen Cheyenne were killed, including some elderly, women, and children.

One U.S. soldier later recalled the murder of a fifteen year old boy, who died fighting the colonizers while the women and children attempted to escape.

The attack was a decisive victory for the United States and effectively put an end to the Dog Soldier raids. For their part, the Pawnee Scouts would later go on to play role in the Great Sioux War, fighting again as mercenaries for the U.S. The Scouts permanently disbanded after that war's conclusion.