The Washita was a military operation authorized by the commanding general, conducted by regular Army troops under formal military orders, not a volunteer militia acting on a territorial governor’s proclamation.

Custer’s force attacked in ways that had the character of military operations — capturing women and children rather than simply killing everyone.

But the similarities were more important than the differences: Black Kettle and his wife were killed as they tried to cross the river.

The village was destroyed.

The horses were killed.

The camp’s material goods were burned.

The casualty numbers at the Washita are disputed.

Custer claimed 103 Cheyenne warriors killed.