These braves were killed in one of the sharpest conflicts that ever took place between soldiers and Indians. It was in the summer of 1878 that a band of Indians, who had been removed from Pine Ridge agency to the Indian Territory, came wandering back up the Platte and crossed over into the Running Water, where they divided into two divisions. One division continued up Running Water, while the other moved over into the Pine Ridge country, near the head of Chadron creek, and lay there quietly in camp. General Thoruburg followed up with one thousand troops and camped on Bronce lake, now the town site of Alliance. Here General Thornburg was relieved of his command, and was succeeded by General McKenzie.

The little band of Indians who had continued up Running Water was soon located and was immediately returned to their reservation in the Indian Territory, with but little trouble. The band on Chadron creek had not yet been discovered nor missed. The intention of the Indians was not hostility, but to get back to the home they loved and the scenes of their childhood. They were mostly married bucks and had found their wives among the Sioux, their friends and neighbors on the Pine Ridge agency.

General Larrabee, then in command at Fort Robinson, kept the country well patrolled and scouted for signs of hostile Indians. The fate of General Custer and the famous Seventh cavalry was still fresh in the minds of General Larrabee and his soldiers. It was late in the fall of that year, 1878, when the scouts reported that a band of Indians were in camp at the head of Chadron creek. A detachment of soldiers were sent out to inquire their purpose and destination. It was soon learned that they belonged to a band of Cheyennes that had been sent back to the Indian Territory only a short time before.