S05E05: The Battle of Beecher Island

As America recovered from its terrible Civil War, unrest was stirring on the Great Plains. As the United States pushed westward, recent railroad construction brought on new conflict with a new enemy. Roman Nose, a warrior of the Cheyenne peoples, had set out to defend his ancestral home from the Americans and soon became the face of resistance in the region. In September of 1868 a party of fifty US soldiers came under attack on a tiny island on the Arikaree River, and for three harrowing days exchanged fire with a party of warriors that outnumbered them ten to one. Although the struggles on the Plains would continue in the years to come, this battle remains a remarkable example of heroism and bravery. On this episode we discuss the Battle of Beecher Island.