I have just read a book called "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee" by Dee Brown, and it gave me another view point on what happened to the indian society. There was the whole history of indians in there, from between 1860 and 1890. Now there were many things in there i found very sad as it describes a heritage stolen, but I wont go into that now. It is a book I would wholely recommend to anyone, whether you are american or not.
But one thing that really bugged me about what I read was about the battle of Little Bighorn. I had always heard this all through my life celebrated as the biggest indian victory against the white man ever. But I had never actually read anything about it, until now.
For those that dont know I will give the details of the battle in a very brief statement.
Gold diggers who had ventured into the Black Hills on the last free indian land had discovered gold. After many diplomatic meetings the envoys of the United States failed to convince the indians of selling their land. This created a stir back in Washington where the President was forced into declaring that the Sioux and Cheyenne should be moved to reservations and the black hills opened for gold mining. Two generals, general Crook and general Terry were ordered to begin military operations around where crazy horse and his allies frequented.
Now an advance column of General Crook led by Colonel Reynolds attacked a sleeping camp of Northen Cheyenne and Oglala Sioux, although the indian warriors managed to get most of the women and children out in time. This was called "the attack on Crazy Horses village". This was a declaration of war and the indians again went to war on the white man. When Crook advanced on the Rosebud Crazy Horses Sioux and the Cheyennes fought and routed his forces, with unorthodox tactics Crazy Horse had introduced. Crook retreated to wait for reinforcements. Now "Long Hair" Custer had ridden to the rosebud with his forces and attacked Sitting Bulls Hunkpapa village. The other tribes there banded together and fought back.
Sitting Bulls war chief Gall, turned Major Renos flank and forced them to retreat so letting hundreds of warriors make a frontal attack on Custer. Crazy horses sioux and the Cheyenne attacked the flank and rear. They decimated custers forces and won the day. Back in Washington this was called a massacre by public speakers and newspapers and a anti indian sentiment was stirred up.
The Government gave orders to occupy the black hills and powder country indian territory citing that the indians had broken the treaty by attacking the US soilders.
Now this is all well and good i am not arguing here what happened in the battle. But the thing that really annoys me is that the US called this a massacre and saying the indians had scored a huge vicotry when in reality the indians had protected themselves and they had only one a minor battle in a war which they could not win. Now i know this was many years ago now but the battle of Little Bighorn is still called an indian victory whereas IMO it was the end of the war for them.
Opinions anyone?
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"I was born of darkness. My fathers eyes closed before mine opened. I am not of this world or the other, and I have the right to be what I am..."