In August and September of 1868, U.S. military forces were again engaged
in fierce battles with Plains tribes.  On September 17, Major George A.
Forsyth and his company, who had been actively searching out Cheyenne
adversaries, found themselves stranded o n an island on the Arikara River
near the Kansas-Colorado border.  A large band of fierce Cheyenne
warriors, led by Roman Nose, was in pursuit.  Although Forsyth's men were
experienced scouts, the Cheyenne braves held them in siege for almost a
week, wiping out most of the Americans.