Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, commanding the 7th Cavalry, initiated a notable military operation against the Cheyenne tribe along the Washita River in Oklahoma. This attack was emblematic of the ongoing conflict between the U.S. government and Native Americans during the American Indian Wars. At dawn, on November 27, 1868, Custer's men surrounded a winter village of Cheyenne, who were perceived as a threat to settlers and railroad expansion. Custer's strategy involved a swift and overpowering assault, aimed at breaking the spirit of the Native American resistance in the Southern Plains.

The Cheyenne were unprepared for the sudden attack. Although many men were absent from the village, having gone hunting, the troops targeted the non-combatants located in their lodges. This led to the deaths of several warriors and numerous women and children. Custer's forces also captured horses and supplies, inflicting severe damage on the Cheyenne’s winter sustenance. The brutal tactics employed by Custer raised significant concerns regarding the treatment of Native Americans and the ethical implications of such military engagements.

The aftermath of the battle revealed the increasing tensions and violent dynamics between Native tribes and the U.S. military. It underscored a larger narrative of dispossession and the U.S. government's aggressive policies towards Native Americans, leading to further skirmishes and conflicts across the Plains. The Washita River battle would be remembered as a pivotal moment in the U.S. government’s efforts to dominate and control Native populations, impacting American policy and public opinion about Native American affairs in subsequent years.