Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast Episode 404 - The Battle of Beecher Island
Mar 9, 2026
After Sand Creek, Cheyenne political rifts and rising warrior societies set the stage for revenge. The story covers the mounted scouts, a deadly ambush on a sandbar, and improvised horse-carved defenses. It highlights Spencer repeating rifles, Roman Nose’s role and wounding, desperate survival on raw horse meat and frozen trenches, and the fraught relief and aftermath.
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Roman Nose Became A Charismatic War Leader
- Roman Nose emerged as a charismatic non-chief wartime leader who drew followers by choice rather than title.
- Joe describes his arms and demeanor: Spencer carbine, four revolvers, bow, lance and a military bearing that inspired followers.
Bait Riders Botched The Julesburg Ambush
- Cheyenne tactic at Julesburg used bait riders to lure soldiers into an ambush, but an inexperienced firing spoiled the trap.
- Big Crow led ten riders as bait, then younger ambushers shot too early allowing soldiers to escape back to the fort.
Sheridan Turned Frontiersmen Into Contracted Death Squads
- Philip Sheridan recruited civilian frontiersmen as semi‑official counter-guerrilla forces paid and armed with Spencers.
- Forsyth signed them as contractors for $50/month and issued Spencer repeating rifles to create mobile death squads.
