[1][2] The skirmish was part of a larger conflict known as the Johnson County War fought from 1889 to 1893 between wealthy ranchers and settlers of modest means who the former accused of being rustlers.

Initially, the 6th cavalry from Fort McKinney was tasked to pacify the locals but failed because many became embroiled in the conflict.

[1] The hostility was exacerbated by the 9th's association with Phil DuFran, a detective and combatant for the cattle barons during the TA Ranch siege.

Off-duty Buffalo Soldiers were being refused services in bars, barbershops, and brothels by the locals of the nearby town of Suggs.

[9][10] Upon arrival, they began firing their guns and demanded the town surrender the people responsible for the prior act of violence.

The camp of the six troops of colored cavalry is located three miles above Suggs, in a heavy growth of cottonwood.

The track of bullets is’ seen in window-glass, tents and logs that flew promiscuously through the air of Suggs that fatal night.

[8] Wyoming native G. T. Seabury wrote to a friend about another incident in the town where locals fired on a hotel where several soldiers were staying.

[8]The deaths of several Buffalo Soldiers forced the Army to remove the regiment from Johnson County and back to Fort Robinson in November 1892.

The battle was briefly mentioned in Asa Mercer's book entitled The Banditti of the Plains[12] and the episode "Johnson County Cattle War" of the documentary Vendettas by History Channel.