Black Hills War (feb 6, 1876 – may 5, 1877)
Description:
Otherwise known as the Great Sioux War of 1876, it was a conflict between the US against the Cheyenne and Sioux Native Americans. It was over the Black Hills, grounds sacred to the Sioux. Gold was discovered in the Black Hills, causing thousands of American prospectors to infringe upon the Fort Laramie Treaty that protected the land from US encroachment and go looking for gold. Initially, the US Army was deployed to kicked out prospectors, but was soon stopped by President Grant. After the Sioux refused to move to the Indian Territory in modern-day Oklahoma, the US sent the military to forcefully evict them.
On March 17, 1876, Colonel Joseph J. Reynolds sent troops to burn a Northern Cheyenne village. They succeeded, but were repulsed before they could continue attacking. The war climaxed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer and his men were killed by Native American warriors on June 25. General George Crook burned a small village and defeated a punitive Native American force led by Crazy Horse the next day. Colonel Nelson A. Miles pushed deep into Sioux territory, forcing many Sioux into surrendering or fleeing to Canada. On November 25, Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie defeated a village of Northern Cheyenne in the Dull Knife Fight, convincing the tribe to surrender and be relocated to Indian Territory.
The large pressure from US military forces, combined with intense diplomatic attempts to push the Sioux into submission, came to fruition in April 1877, where leaders began surrendering en masse. The last surrender was made by Crazy Horse on May 5, though he was later stabbed to death by an American soldier.
The war divided the Lakota tribe. As compared to Red Cloud's War, most Lakota had already been relocated to reservations and did not support the war. The Lakota began to become inspired by the Ghost Dance movement, which would help lead to the Wounded Knee Massacre.
Casualties:
310 US and US-allied Native Americans killed
265 Lakota and Cheyenne killed
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