Why did the U.S. Army depend on Native American scouts and auxiliaries during the Plains Wars?

During the Plains Wars, the U.S. Army relied on Native American scouts and auxiliaries primarily to gain a tactical advantage in unconventional frontier warfare. Because the element of surprise was a critical factor in these conflicts, the army utilized the specialized knowledge and tracking skills of these indigenous allies to locate and engage elusive groups that might otherwise have escaped the military's grasp.12

By incorporating scouts from various groups—such as the Arapaho, Shoshone, Bannock, Pawnee, and some Sioux and Cheyenne—the army was better equipped to navigate the challenging terrain and successfully execute operations, such as the destruction of encampments during winter campaigns. This reliance on auxiliaries was part of a broader strategy to overcome the difficulties of counterinsurgency operations against highly mobile indigenous forces.21