Native Americans used various forms of guerrilla warfare such as tactics, weather, and terrain to their advantage when facing the United States (US) Army. Guerrilla warfare is a form of tactics used by an adversary against a prodigious conventional military force. Numerical, tactical, and weapons systems disadvantages would encourage significant failures in facing such a powerful enemy in open battle. The American army after the Civil War was confronted for the first time with this new way of fighting in the western territories. The Indian Revolt indicated that the military leadership viewed the Native Americans as savages and did not recognize the underlying cultural differences of the Indians. Another factor contributing to a prolonged war is the understanding of the weather and terrain and their inadequate preparation to fight this new form of warfare against the Indians in battle. During the American Indian Wars, the United States Army employed several appropriate strategies, weapons, and additional forces to force the American Indians into negotiations. However, this did not quickly end the war, but provided an advantage to the military forces in gaining the upper hand over the Indians and their guerrilla tactics. The effects of culture, terrain, climate, and tactics encountered during the American Indian Wars hindered U.S. forces in defeating the American Indians. The U.S. Army Was Hindered by Indian Guerrilla Tactics When understanding the types of guerrilla tactics goes back to early recorded history and continues today, as it will in the future. A formidable strategy used against the military by Native Americans to preserve their way of life. After the Civil War of 1865, U.S. settlements exceeded… middle of paper… During the American Indian Wars they hindered U.S. forces in defeating the American Indians. Works Cited Davis RG (ed.) (2008). The U.S. Army and Irregular Warfare 1775-2007 (p. 184). Washington, DC: Military History Center Publishing. Epple JC (1970). Custer's Battle of the Washita and A History of the Plains Indian Tribes (1st ed.), (p. 149). Jericho, NY: Exposition Press INC. Stewart R.W. (2005). American Military History (Vol.1). The United States Army and the Forging of a Nation, 1775-1917 (p. 326-327, 338). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.Utley RM (1973). US Army Frontier Regulars and Indians 1866-1891. New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. Wooster R. (1998). The United States Army and Indian Policy 1865-1903 (pp. 43, 47). WestHannover, MA: Halliday Lithograph Corporation.