Grattan massacre

Grattan massacre
Part of the First Sioux War
Grattan Massacre marker, 2003
Date August 19, 1854 Location East of Fort Laramie, Nebraska Territory 42°7′56″N 104°24′21″W / 42.13222°N 104.40583°W / 42.13222; -104.40583 Result Lakota victory Start of the First Sioux War
Belligerents
Lakota Sioux	United States
Commanders and leaders
Conquering Bear † Little Thunder	John Grattan †
Strength
~ 500	31
Casualties and losses
2 killed	31 killed

The Grattan Massacre, also known as the Grattan Fight,^[1] was the opening engagement of the First Sioux War, fought between the United States Army and Lakota Sioux warriors on August 19, 1854. It occurred east of Fort Laramie, Nebraska Territory, in present-day Goshen County, Wyoming.

A small detachment of soldiers entered a large Sioux encampment to arrest a man accused of killing a migrant's cow, although such matters by treaty were to be handled by the US Indian agent. After one of the soldiers fatally shot Chief Matȟó Wayúhi (Conquering Bear), the Sichangu Lakotas returned fire and killed 29 soldiers, Lieutenant John Grattan, and a civilian interpreter.