How should Red Cloud’s War be understood, more than 150 years after its conclusion?

The achievement stands.

The United States abandoned forts and closed a trail because of military and political pressure from the people whose territory was being crossed.

The 1868 treaty was signed, and it included provisions specifically recognizing Lakota rights to the Powder River Country.

This happened.

It is documented in the treaty records that are still held in the National Archives.

The achievement also failed, in the deeper sense that it did not produce lasting protection for Lakota sovereignty or the Powder River way of life.