Chiefs Dull Knife (also known as Morning Star) and Little Wolf and their followers subsequently surrendered to the U.S. at Camp Robinson, Nebraska.

Nine-hundred and thirty seven Cheyenne arrived at the reservation, headquartered about 50 kilometres (31 miles) west of present-day Oklahoma City near Fort Reno.

In September 1878, the two leaders and 351 of their followers fled the reservation with the intent of journeying to rejoin other groups of Northern Cheyenne who resided mostly in Montana.

[1][2] After fleeing the reservation on the night of September 9/10, the Cheyenne traveled northward on horseback some 500 km (310 miles) fighting three successful skirmishes with the army and civilian volunteers, including the Battle of Turkey Springs.

In northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas they stole horses and cattle for their subsistence and in the process killed nine ranchers.

[3] On 25 September Colonel William H. Lewis was given the command of about 200 soldiers, mostly cavalry, to pursue the Cheyenne in northern Kansas.

The soldiers continued their advance on higher ground rather than the ravine and found and scattered the Cheyenne's horse herd.

He trailed the Cheyenne for three days, but they slipped away from him and were next seen but not engaged by the army 200 km (120 miles) north while crossing the Republican River in southern Nebraska.

Several Cheyenne women, children, and elderly who were lost or unable to keep up with the fast-moving caravan are known to have been executed by white soldiers and civilians.