On July 21(sic), 1866, five officers, three women, several children and ten enlisted men of the 18th Infantry came under attack from Lakota Indians as they approached CrazyWoman Creek in wagons and ambulances. Lieutenants George Templeton and Napoleon Daniels had ridden ahead of the wagons in search of buffalo. During their retreat to the train, Daniels was killed and Templeton wounded. The wagons moved to higher ground, circled to form a defensive position, and a day-long siege began. Thirst and the need for relief led some defenders to volunteer for a dash to the creek for water and others to Fort Reno for reinforcements. Both efforts were successful. The siege was lifted when a patrol from Fort Kearny arrived the following morning, forcing the Indians to withdraw. This was not the last ambush on Crazy Women. The high hills surrounding the crossing offered excellent opportunities for observation or attack, which became common occurrences during the next two years.
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