The Beecher Island Battle. September 17, 1868

FRED H WERNER

Publication: Werner Publications, 1989, Greeley, Colorado

First Edition. Stiff Pictorial Wrappers. 198pp. Illustrated throughout with drawings and old photographs. 4 Maps. A well-written account of this classic battle between the Cheyenne Indians and a small group of soldiers and civilian scouts. Due to continued Indian depredations in the Colorado and Kansas Territories, General Sheridan tasked one of his staff members, Colonel George A. Forsyth, to organize an experienced group of frontiersmen, fifty in number, to act as a swift moving unit which could react at a moment's notice. While tracking the Indians in the northeastern corner of Colorado, along the Arikaree Fork of the Republican River, Forsyth's Scouts were attacked by a large force of Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. The Scouts were able to "dig in" on a small island in the Arikaree and successfully thwart the Indian attacks until help arrived, some nine days later. The famous Cheyenne war chief, Roman Nose was killed at this battle as was Lt. Fred H. Beecher, after whom the battle was named. Near fine. Signed.