THE BATTLE OF BEECHER'S ISLAND (PT 1): FORSYTH'S DILEMMA

August, 1868  General Phil Sheridan offers a special commission to his top officer Col. Forsyth to hire 50 good, tough men to bring the fight to the Indians that have been marauding throughout the central and northern West. Armed with Spencer repreating carbines and fast horses, they take the fight to Cheyenne Chief Roman Nose, who has gathered 600 warriors under his command. They meet at Beecher's Island on the Arikara River on Sept. 17th, 1868, in one of the biggest battles of the Indian wars.