List of battles fought in Montana

This is an incomplete list of military and other armed confrontations that have occurred within the boundaries of the modern US State of Montana since European contact. The region was part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain from 1535 to 1679, New France from 1679 to 1803, and part of the United States of America from 1803–present.

The Plains Indian Wars directly affected the region during westward expansion.

Battles

NameDateLocationWarCampaignDeadBelligerentsBattle of Alkali CreekSeptember 1, 1865along Powder River near modern PowdervilleSioux WarsPowder River Expedition8United States of America vs SiouxBattle of Dry CreekSeptember 8, 1865along Powder River near modern BroadusSioux WarsPowder River Expedition2United States of America vs Cheyenne, Sioux & ArapahoHayfield FightAugust 1, 1867near Fort C. F. SmithSioux WarsRed Cloud's War26Reports of Native Americans killed in action vary from 8 to 23.United States of America & civilian workers vs Cheyenne & SiouxBattle of Sixteenmile CreekApril 7, 1869near modern Ringling10United States of America & civilians vs Blackfoot ConfederacyMarias MassacreJanuary 23, 1870along Marias RiverAlthough the exact location of the massacre site was possibly identified by researchers in the 1960s, the state of Montana claims that the massacre site has been destroyed.218United States of America vs PieganBattle of Bighorn RiverAugust 11, 1873along Yellowstone River near modern CusterSioux WarsYellowstone Expedition of 18737United States of America vs SiouxBattle of Powder RiverMarch 17, 1876along Powder River near modern MoorheadSioux WarsGreat Sioux War of 18766United States of America vs Cheyenne & LakotaBattle of the RosebudJune 17, 1876modern Big Horn CountySioux WarsGreat Sioux War of 187642United States of America vs Lakota & CheyenneBattle of the Little BighornJune 25–26, 1876modern Big Horn CountySioux WarsGreat Sioux War of 1876404The number Native Americans killed in the battle vary considerably, from 36 to 136. An exact number is unlikely to ever be known.United States of America vs Lakota, Cheyenne, & ArapahoBattle of the Cedar CreekOctober 21, 1876near modern TerrySioux WarsGreat Sioux War of 18768United States of America, Shoshone, & Crow vs LakotaBattle of Wolf MountainJanuary 8, 1877near modern BirneySioux WarsGreat Sioux War of 187611United States of America vs Lakota & Cheyenne Battle of Little Muddy CreekMay 7, 1877near modern Lame DeerSioux WarsGreat Sioux War of 187618United States of America vs Lakota & CheyenneBattle of the Big HoleAugust 9–10, 1877Beaverhead CountyNez Perce War118United States of America vs Nez Perce & PalouseBattle of Canyon CreekSeptember 13, 1877near BillingsNez Perce War7United States of America & Crow vs Nez PerceBattle of Bear PawSeptember 30 - October 5, 1877near modern ChinookNez Perce War49United States of America vs Nez PerceBattle of Pumpkin CreekFebruary 7, 1880near modern VolborgSioux Wars3United States of America vs LakotaBattle of Milk RiverJuly 17, 1879near modern SacoSioux Wars6United States of America vs LakotaBattle of Poplar RiverJanuary 2, 1881near Camp Poplar RiverSioux Wars8United States of America vs LakotaBattle of Crow AgencyNovember 5, 1887near Crow AgencyCrow War8United States of America vs Crow

Notes

See also History of Montana Plains Indians Wars