On November 27th 1868, Chief Black Kettle of the Southern Cheyenne was killed.

This happened at the Battle of Washita River during the Indian Wars. General Sheridan devised a plan to attack the winter settlements of the Cheyenne.

The US 7th Cavalry, under the command of then Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer attacked the encampment. The precise number killed in the battle - which has also been called a massacre - is not truly known. Custer, who is most famous for his defeat and death at Little Big Horn when he held the rank of general - had only recently returned to active duty, at a lower rank, after being court martialed for being AWOL whilst visiting his wife.

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