A Cheyenne war-chief, Bad Heart, led the first charges against the American force besieged on a small sand bar in the Republican River of eastern Colorado. The 50-man force found itself surrounded by hundreds of Cheyenne warriors on the morning of September 17, 1868. Bad Heart's charge swept over this small island, now known as Beecher's Island (named after a lieutenant who was killed there.) Roman Nose, the most famous warrior on the southern plains, led the third charge of the day. As his charge swept past the island, a single shot struck Roman Nose in the back. The wound proved fatal and the Cheyenne lost their desire to continue the fight. The Indians left the area and the soldiers, on the verge of starvation, were eventually rescued. |