Battiste Good says the chief's name was Mato-Wahyui, "Mato" signifying "Bear" and "Wahyui" means to "arouse or startle." Spotted Tail, the young warrior, then took a prominent part, and the Indians, infuriated, turned in with clubs and tomahawks, and destroyed the entire detachment, save one, who, though wounded, reached the fort. Richards, a squaw man, is said to have aided in the escape of this one, although Hugo Koch says it was "Old Joe," a big Sioux Indian. In the melee, the mountain howitzers were discharged, but the missies of death went over the heads of the Indians.

For the first time in its history, the stability of Fort Laramie was threatened. The Indians began attacking and destroying the trading stations thereabout, including those of Bordeaux and Choteau & Company, which were under the very doors of the fort.

A messenger was sent on the dangerous journey to Fort Kearney, and a part of the detachment was sent to the relief. Fleming, in the meantime, martialed all the available men about the fort, which were maintained strictly on the defense of the station without any journeys or sallies out to assist the emigrants.

A mail stage was stopped a little west of the Horse creek station and the driver and all the guards murdered. This was done under the supposed leadership of Spotted Tail. And it was for "the murder of the mail party," that General Harney demanded the surrender of the murderers.

The Indians had boldly declared they would kill every white person they could, and would destroy the trains of emigrants going into the west.