On July 4th, 1874, Captain Bates received news that the hostiles had been located in a deep valley about a mile and one-half away from the troops.  Quoting Capt. Bates' official report, he said, "Upon receiving the information the Shoshonees set up the most infernal yelling and shouting I ever heard from which they did not desist until the fight had commenced."

At 7:30 a.m. Bates ordered the bugler to sound "charge".  Weapons ready, 35 troopers spurred their mounts to full gallop down a shallow sloping draw and into the hostiles' camp.  The balance of his men were left behind to hold pack animals and lead horses.

The troopers' attack didn't last long.   In between 20-30 minutes the attack was over, and not an adult Indians remained in the village.  The Indians who had escaped made their way to the shelter of scattered rocks on the sandstone butte above camp.  From there they opened fire on the troopers in the village below.  Two cavalrymen were killed and three wounded.  The troops retreated to Camp Brown with their wounded.

From the book, Wyoming's Bloodiest Fourth of July: "In Retrospect ~ Crystal-clear Bates creek, meandering through the peaceful little badland valley, flowed crimson that morning.  Within half an hour 29 known dead lay stiffening along the stream; among rocks and sagebrush.  Many more hostile Indians gave their lives in defense of the village.  Their exact number will forever remain a secret of surrounding buttes and draws.

"Scores of wounded limped away from the scene of battle ... some to die later of fatal injuries ... others would eventually recover, embittered with intensified hatred of the conquering white man.

"Two years afterward revenge would be achieved through annihilation of General George A. Custer and his entire command at the battle of Little Big Horn River."

*Information from Wyoming's Bloodiest Fourth of July, by Hugh K. Knoefel.