On this day, July 28, 1864, Brigadier General Alfred Sully, leading three thousand volunteers, attacked several groups of Dakota, Nakota and Lakota in what became known as the Battle of Killdeer Mountain. Facing US artillery and long-range firearms, the Native Americans were eventually forced to flee. Their escape drew widespread attention to a spot locally known as Medicine Hole; a ten foot wide and ninety foot deep fissure at the top of Medicine Hole Plateau.

Medicine Hole had long been important to local Native Americans as the location where all animals and people came out of the earth at the beginning of time. But further interest was generated in Medicine Hole following the battle as one version of the events suggested some escaped through Medicine Hole and reemerged several miles away. The possibility of such an escape is debatable, but the story continues to generate interest in Medicine Hole.

Written by Christina Sunwall

Sources:
National Park Service: The American Battlefield Protection Program <http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/nd005.htm>
North Dakota Geological Survey <http://www.nd.gov/ndgs/spotcontest/answer6/x_marks_spot_6_answer.htm>
State Historical Society of North Dakota <http://www.nd.gov/hist/news/killdeerhike06.htm>

This text and audio may not be copied without securing prior permission from North Dakota Public Radio.