The Great Sioux War of 1876-77 began at daybreak on March 17, 1876, when Colonel Joseph J. Reynolds and six cavalry companies struck a village of Northern Cheyennes -- Sioux allies -- thereby propelling the Northern Plains tribes into war. The ensuing last stand of the Sioux against Anglo-American settlement of their homeland spanned some eighteen months, playing out across more than twenty battle and skirmish sites and costing hundreds of lives on both sides and many millions of dollars. And it all began at Powder River.

The long road to an inevitable Sioux war -- Pointing the gun -- Organizing a campaign -- The trail north -- Hot pursuit on a frigid night -- Egan's charge -- Destroying Old Bear's village -- Abandoning Private Ayers -- Withdrawal -- "I see my horse" -- Lodge Pole Creek -- The rancor begins -- Misplaced justice -- Justice served -- Loose ends -- Appendixes: Big Horn Expedition order of battle, March 1-27, 1876 -- Powder River order of battle, March 16-17, 1876 -- Big Horn Expedition killed and wounded -- Henry E. Noyes general court-martial orders -- Alexander Moore general court-martial orders -- Joseph J. Reynolds general court-martial orders.