<P> Sioux Indians burned a village of Nuptadi Mandans in the last quarter of the 18th century . Other villages of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara destroyed either completely or partially in Indian attacks are two Hidatsa villages in 1834, Mitutanka on January 9, 1839 and Like - a-Fishhook Village in 1862 . The three tribes would routinely ask the U.S. army for assistance against stronger Indian powers until the end of intertribal warfare in the area . </P> <P> Eighteen out of 30 prominent Poncas were killed in a surprise attack in 1824, "including the famous Smoke - maker". At a stroke, the small tribe stood without any experienced leaders . In 1859, the Poncas lost two chiefs when a combined group of Indian enemies charged a hunting camp . </P> <P> Half a Pawnee village was set ablaze during a large - scale attack in 1843, and the Pawnee never rebuilt it . More than 60 inhabitants lost their lives, including Chief Blue Coat . </P> <P> The otherwise numerous Small Robes band of the Piegan Blackfoot lost influence and some self - reliance after a severe River Crow attack on a moving camp at "Mountains on Both Sides" (Judith Gap, Montana) in 1845 . "Their days of greatness were over ." </P>

Increased poaching nearly led to the extinction of the american bison