Rosebud Battlefield, Montana
Most people know about Custer’s Last Stand, but three weeks before that mess, Crazy Horse handed General Crook a brutal defeat at Rosebud Creek.
The Lakota warrior proved he could outfight the U.S. Army’s best, setting up the events that would unfold at Little Bighorn.
The historic battle site has been preserved, including the battle that defined it.
Black Hills Gold Rush Sparks Conflict
Gold found in the Black Hills in 1874 during Custer’s expedition brought waves of white settlers onto Lakota land. This land had been promised to the Lakota forever by the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty.
The U.S. government ordered Sitting Bull and other chiefs to move to reservations by January 31, 1876. When tribal leaders refused to give up their sacred lands, President Grant approved military action against them.
Military leaders planned a three-pronged attack with forces led by General Terry, Colonel Gibbon, and General Crook all moving toward Lakota territory from different directions.
Sitting Bull’s Vision Unites Warriors
In early June 1876, medicine man Sitting Bull held a Sun Dance ceremony on Rosebud Creek. During this sacred ritual, he saw a vision of soldiers falling upside down into their camp “like grasshoppers.”
This vision spread through the camps as a sign of coming victory against U.S. forces. It brought together bands that often acted independently. By mid-June, over 460 Lakota and Northern Cheyenne lodges gathered, with about two fighting men per lodge.
When Cheyenne scouts reported General Crook’s approach with 1,000 soldiers, the warriors prepared to fight.
Crazy Horse Leads Night March to Intercept Crook
Tribal elders chose Crazy Horse to lead over 1,000 warriors against Crook while others stayed to protect their main camp. Crazy Horse was known for his fighting skills and bravery in battle.
On the night of June 16, 1876, these warriors rode through darkness to find the soldiers. They stopped briefly to rest their horses before moving on toward Rosebud Creek. Unlike typical hit-and-run tactics, Crazy Horse planned to directly confront Crook’s entire army.
This bold approach showed his confidence and ability to adapt his fighting methods to meet new threats.
Crook’s Army Caught Unprepared
At 8:00 AM on June 17, Crook halted his troops in a valley along Rosebud Creek. His men were tired from a 35-mile march the day before and an early 3:00 AM wake-up. Some made coffee while officers played cards.
Crook set up no defenses despite being in hostile territory. His force included nearly 1,000 soldiers plus 262 Crow and Shoshone scouts who were longtime enemies of the Lakota. Crook believed Native Americans would avoid fighting large army units.
His troops stayed in marching formation while resting, creating a perfect target for Crazy Horse’s warriors.
Buffalo Calf Road Woman’s Daring Rescue
During the battle, Chief Comes in Sight was thrown from his horse when a bullet hit its leg. He stood exposed to gunfire with soldiers closing in. His sister Buffalo Calf Road Woman saw his danger and rode straight into the battle.
She reached her brother, pulled him onto her horse, and galloped back through flying bullets. This brave act inspired Cheyenne warriors who had started to retreat. Seeing her courage, they returned to the fight with new spirit.
At about 26 years old and a mother of two, she was the only woman fighting alongside the warriors that day.
Crow and Shoshone Scouts Save Crook’s Command
Crook’s 262 Crow and Shoshone allies had positioned themselves 500 yards ahead of the main army. When the attack began, they recognized the danger immediately. Though heavily outnumbered, these scouts charged directly at the oncoming Lakota and Cheyenne warriors.
Their quick action slowed the initial assault, giving Crook’s surprised soldiers time to prepare. Scout Frank Grouard later said without the Crow, “the Sioux would have killed half our command.” These Native allies fought with the Army because the Lakota and Cheyenne were their traditional enemies long before white settlement.
Six Hours of Combat Across Three Miles
The battle spread across three miles of hills, ravines, and ridges. Fighting lasted six hours with clashes erupting in many places at once. Crazy Horse split his warriors into several groups attacking from different directions.
This smart tactic confused Crook and prevented him from gathering his forces effectively. U.S. troops fired between 10,000-25,000 bullets during the fight. They often captured high ground only to see warriors withdraw and attack elsewhere.
The rough land turned one big battle into many smaller fights, with intense combat flaring up across the valley all morning and into the afternoon.
Tactical Victory for Crazy Horse
Around noon, the Lakota and Cheyenne warriors pulled back in good order. Their organized retreat preserved their fighting strength while making Crook’s officers think they had won.
Crook claimed victory because his army still held the battlefield at day’s end. But the numbers told another story—Crook lost about 28 killed and 56 wounded compared to only 13 warrior deaths.
Even Crook’s own men knew the truth. Captain Anson Mills called the opposing warriors “the best cavalry soldiers on earth.” Sergeant George Howard wrote in his diary: “The soldiers have lost all confidence in General Crook.”
Crook’s Retreat Changes the Campaign
After the battle, Crook faced a hard choice. His wounded needed medical care and supplies were running low. He ordered retreat to his supply camp near present-day Sheridan, Wyoming.
For seven weeks, Crook stayed put waiting for reinforcements. His Crow and Shoshone scouts soon left for their homes, seeing that the campaign had stalled. This retreat broke the military’s three-pronged strategy.
One-third of the Army’s attack force was now out of action at a crucial time. Neither General Terry nor Lieutenant Colonel Custer knew about Crook’s defeat as they moved forward, unaware of what waited ahead.
Impact on the Little Bighorn Battle
Eight days after Rosebud, on June 25, 1876, Crazy Horse joined other Lakota and Cheyenne fighters to defeat Custer at the Little Bighorn River. The earlier victory played a key role in this famous battle.
Without Crook’s column, the Army’s coordinated attack plan fell apart. Custer went ahead without the support Crook should have provided. Victory at Rosebud boosted warrior confidence before facing Custer’s 7th Cavalry.
Stories of success spread through the camps, strengthening belief in Sitting Bull’s vision. Some of Crook’s former Native allies even joined the Sioux forces, adding more fighters for the Little Bighorn battle.
Visiting Rosebud Battlefield
You’ll find Rosebud Battlefield State Park at 4614 Highway 314, about 21 miles southeast of Decker, Montana.
The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset year-round with no entrance fee for Montana residents who pay the state parks fee with vehicle registration. Non-residents pay a $8 day-use fee.
Self-guided walking trails are your best way to explore the battlefield. Park at the main lot and follow the mowed paths to Crook’s Hill, Conical Hill, and Van Vliets Ridge. No formal tours operate, but interpretive signs explain key battle events.
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