Dull Knife, also known as Morning Star, was a chief of the Northern Cheyenne who was born around 1810 on the Rosebud River, Montana Territory. In 1877, the U.S. Army moved Dull Knife and his tribe to a reservation of southern Cheyenne in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Dull Knife, along with Little Wolf, led their people from the reservation on September 9, 1878, due to the unhealthy climate, lack of food, and unprofitable land. Dull Knife and his family escaped to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Due to public support, the Bureau of Indian Affairs abandoned its relocation plans and established a reservation for the Northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers, where Dull Knife and his people were allowed to settle. He died in 1883 on the Tongue River Indian Reservation, Montana Territory.

What challenges did Dull Knife and his people face from the U.S. government?

Dull Knife, also known as Morning Star, and his Northern Cheyenne people faced numerous challenges from the U.S. government. After the attack on Dull Knife's camp on the Red Fork of Powder River in 1876, his people suffered from starvation and exposure. In 1877, the U.S. Army moved them to a reservation in Oklahoma, where disease and food shortages led to many deaths. Dull Knife and Little Wolf led their people in an attempt to return to their home territory, but the U.S. Army imprisoned them at Fort Robinson. When they refused to return to Oklahoma, the Army withheld food, heat, and water, and, after a breakout, many Cheyenne were killed or recaptured. Public opinion eventually favored the Native Americans, and a reservation was established for the Northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers.

How did Dull Knife try to protect his people?

Dull Knife, also known as Morning Star, was a Northern Cheyenne chief who strived to protect his people amidst U.S. Army opposition. After surrendering to the Army due to starvation and exposure, he and his tribe were forced to relocate to a reservation in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in 1877. Dull Knife and other leaders pleaded for a reservation in their former territory, but their requests were ignored. Fearing his tribe would die out, Dull Knife, along with Little Wolf, led his people in an attempt to return to their home in Montana in 1878. Though pursued by the Army, they traveled over 400 miles. Dull Knife eventually surrendered and was imprisoned at Fort Robinson. After an attempted starvation to force their return to Oklahoma, Dull Knife and some of his family escaped to the Pine Ridge Reservation. Public support led to the establishment of a reservation for the Northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers.

What was the Northern Cheyenne Exodus led by Dull Knife?

The Northern Cheyenne Exodus, led by Dull Knife (Morning Star) and Little Wolf, was a desperate journey home after the U.S. Army moved them to a reservation in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in 1877. The land was unproductive, and disease and starvation plagued the tribe. In September 1878, Dull Knife and Little Wolf led 89 warriors and 246 women and children, traveling over 400 miles, evading or defeating army detachments. After crossing the South Platte River in Nebraska, the groups split. Dull Knife's band surrendered at Fort Robinson and were imprisoned. After refusing to return to Oklahoma and facing starvation, they broke out of the prison on January 9, 1879. Dull Knife, along with a few family members, escaped to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Public support led to the establishment of a reservation for the Northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers, where they rejoined Little Wolf’s band.

How is Dull Knife remembered in American history today?

Dull Knife, also known as Morning Star, is remembered as a chief of the Northern Cheyenne who, along with Little Wolf, led his people in a desperate attempt to escape confinement in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) and return to their Montana home. After surrendering to the U.S. Army, Dull Knife and his tribe were moved to a reservation with the Southern Cheyenne in Oklahoma in 1877. Conditions were poor, and many of his people died. In 1878, Dull Knife and Little Wolf led their people north, but they were eventually captured. Dull Knife and his followers were imprisoned at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. They broke out, but many were killed or recaptured. Dull Knife and some family members escaped to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Public support led to the establishment of a reservation for the Northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers, where Dull Knife and the remaining members of his band were allowed to settle.

Dull Knife

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Quick Facts

Born:: c. 1810, Rosebud River, Montana Territory [U.S.]

Died:: 1883, Tongue River Indian Reservation, Montana Territory

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Dull Knife

Cheyenne chief

Also known as: Morning Star

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Britannica Editors

History

Top Questions

Who was Dull Knife?
Dull Knife, also known as Morning Star, was a chief of the Northern Cheyenne who was born around 1810 on the Rosebud River, Montana Territory.

In 1877, the U.S. Army moved Dull Knife and his tribe to a reservation of southern Cheyenne in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Dull Knife, along with Little Wolf, led their people from the reservation on September 9, 1878, due to the unhealthy climate, lack of food, and unprofitable land.

Dull Knife and his family escaped to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Due to public support, the Bureau of Indian Affairs abandoned its relocation plans and established a reservation for the Northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers, where Dull Knife and his people were allowed to settle. He died in 1883 on the Tongue River Indian Reservation, Montana Territory.
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Which Native American tribe did Dull Knife lead?
Dull Knife, also known as Morning Star, was a chief of the Northern Cheyenne. In the 19th century, the Cheyenne lived around the Platte and Arkansas rivers. Around 1832, the tribe divided into northern and southern branches.

In 1877, the U.S. Army moved Dull Knife and his tribe to a reservation of southern Cheyenne in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Dull Knife and Little Wolf, another leader, led their people from the reservation, but eventually surrendered to the army. A reservation was established for the Northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers, where Dull Knife and his people were allowed to settle.
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2. Cheyenne
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What challenges did Dull Knife and his people face from the U.S. government?
Dull Knife, also known as Morning Star, and his Northern Cheyenne people faced numerous challenges from the U.S. government. After the attack on Dull Knife's camp on the Red Fork of Powder River in 1876, his people suffered from starvation and exposure. In 1877, the U.S. Army moved them to a reservation in Oklahoma, where disease and food shortages led to many deaths.

Dull Knife and Little Wolf led their people in an attempt to return to their home territory, but the U.S. Army imprisoned them at Fort Robinson. When they refused to return to Oklahoma, the Army withheld food, heat, and water, and, after a breakout, many Cheyenne were killed or recaptured. Public opinion eventually favored the Native Americans, and a reservation was established for the Northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers.
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Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Dull Knife try to protect his people?
Dull Knife, also known as Morning Star, was a Northern Cheyenne chief who strived to protect his people amidst U.S. Army opposition. After surrendering to the Army due to starvation and exposure, he and his tribe were forced to relocate to a reservation in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in 1877. Dull Knife and other leaders pleaded for a reservation in their former territory, but their requests were ignored.

Fearing his tribe would die out, Dull Knife, along with Little Wolf, led his people in an attempt to return to their home in Montana in 1878. Though pursued by the Army, they traveled over 400 miles. Dull Knife eventually surrendered and was imprisoned at Fort Robinson. After an attempted starvation to force their return to Oklahoma, Dull Knife and some of his family escaped to the Pine Ridge Reservation. Public support led to the establishment of a reservation for the Northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers.
1 Britannica Source
1. Dull Knife
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What was the Northern Cheyenne Exodus led by Dull Knife?
The Northern Cheyenne Exodus, led by Dull Knife (Morning Star) and Little Wolf, was a desperate journey home after the U.S. Army moved them to a reservation in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in 1877. The land was unproductive, and disease and starvation plagued the tribe. In September 1878, Dull Knife and Little Wolf led 89 warriors and 246 women and children, traveling over 400 miles, evading or defeating army detachments. After crossing the South Platte River in Nebraska, the groups split. Dull Knife's band surrendered at Fort Robinson and were imprisoned. After refusing to return to Oklahoma and facing starvation, they broke out of the prison on January 9, 1879. Dull Knife, along with a few family members, escaped to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Public support led to the establishment of a reservation for the Northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers, where they rejoined Little Wolf’s band.
1 Britannica Source
1. Dull Knife
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How is Dull Knife remembered in American history today?
Dull Knife, also known as Morning Star, is remembered as a chief of the Northern Cheyenne who, along with Little Wolf, led his people in a desperate attempt to escape confinement in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) and return to their Montana home.

After surrendering to the U.S. Army, Dull Knife and his tribe were moved to a reservation with the Southern Cheyenne in Oklahoma in 1877. Conditions were poor, and many of his people died. In 1878, Dull Knife and Little Wolf led their people north, but they were eventually captured. Dull Knife and his followers were imprisoned at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. They broke out, but many were killed or recaptured. Dull Knife and some family members escaped to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Public support led to the establishment of a reservation for the Northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers, where Dull Knife and the remaining members of his band were allowed to settle.
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Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Dull Knife (born c. 1810, Rosebud River, Montana Territory [U.S.]—died 1883, Tongue River Indian Reservation, Montana Territory) was a chief of the northern Cheyenne who led his people on a desperate trek from confinement in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) to their home in Montana. He was known to his people as Morning Star.

Five months after Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer’s defeat at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, the cavalry, on a punitive expedition, attacked Dull Knife’s camp on the Red Fork of Powder River (Nov. 25–26, 1876). Most of his tribe escaped, but their shelters, clothing, blankets, and stores of food were destroyed. By the time that Dull Knife surrendered to the Army, many of his people had succumbed to starvation or exposure. In 1877 the U.S. Army sent him and his tribe to a reservation of southern Cheyenne in Indian Territory. The land was unprofitable, there was little food, and the climate was unhealthy; within two months of their arrival in Oklahoma, two-thirds of the tribe were sick and many died. Dull Knife and other exiled northern Cheyenne leaders pleaded for a reservation for their people in their former territory, but to no avail.

Fearing that his tribe would die out, Dull Knife, along with Little Wolf, a war chief of the northern Cheyenne, determined to go home, despite Army opposition. On Sept. 9, 1878, he and Little Wolf led what was left of their people from the reservation. Their combined band consisted of 89 warriors and 246 women and children. They traveled more than 400 miles, managing to defeat or elude the various Army detachments sent to bring them back (more than 10,000 soldiers were employed for this task). In October the Cheyenne crossed the South Platte River of Nebraska, and the followers of Little Wolf and Dull Knife separated. (Little Wolf’s band headed northwest, surrendered to the Army on March 25, 1879, and was allowed to remain in Montana.) Dull Knife and his people headed for the Red Cloud Agency, not knowing it had been discontinued. On Oct. 23, 1878, he and his people surrendered peaceably to the Army and were imprisoned in nearby Fort Robinson (Nebraska). When they refused to return to Oklahoma, an attempt was made (from Jan. 5, 1879) to starve them into submission, and the Indians were deprived of heat, food, and water. They broke out of prison on January 9, and, in their dash for freedom, 64 were killed and 78 were eventually recaptured (most of them wounded). Six people, including Dull Knife and surviving members of his family, escaped and made it to the relative safety of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. By this time, public opinion was on the side of the Indians, forcing the Bureau of Indian Affairs to abandon its plans to relocate them, and a reservation was established for the northern Cheyenne on the Tongue and Rosebud rivers, where Dull Knife and his people (fewer than 80 remaining) were finally allowed to settle, rejoining Little Wolf’s band.

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The flight of the Cheyenne was described by Mari Sandoz in her work Cheyenne Autumn (1953).

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Dull Knife

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