Who Was Crazy Horse?
Crazy Horse was an Oglala Sioux chief renowned for his staunch resistance against the forced relocation of his people to reservations, particularly in the Black Hills. In 1876, he played a pivotal role in a coordinated attack against General George Crook, later uniting with Chief Sitting Bull to confront General George Armstrong Custer’s forces at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. After years of fighting, Crazy Horse surrendered in 1877 but was tragically killed in a confrontation with soldiers.
Early Years
Born around 1840 near present-day Rapid City, South Dakota, Crazy Horse, known by his Lakota name Tashunka Witco, grew up to be an iconic figure in Native American history. The origins of his name are debated, though one account suggests that it was passed down by his father, also named Crazy Horse, following the young man’s bravery in battle.
From a young age, Crazy Horse exhibited qualities that set him apart from his peers. His light skin and curly brown hair distinguished him physically from other boys in his tribe, and this unique appearance, along with his introspective nature, contributed to his reputation as a solitary figure even among his own people.
Crazy Horse’s birth occurred during a prosperous period for the Lakota Sioux. As the dominant division of the Sioux Nation, the Lakota controlled vast lands stretching from the Missouri River to the Bighorn Mountains. During the 1840s, the Lakota were at the height of their power, and their interactions with white settlers were minimal.
Changes for the Lakota
By the 1850s, however, the Lakota way of life began to face increasing threats. As white settlers moved westward in search of gold and new opportunities, competition for resources intensified, leading to escalating tensions between the settlers and the indigenous tribes. The establishment of military forts on the Great Plains brought additional settlers and introduced diseases that devastated Native American populations.
In August 1854, the situation escalated into what became known as the Grattan Massacre. Tensions between the Lakota and white settlers boiled over when Lieutenant John Grattan and a group of soldiers entered a Sioux camp to apprehend those responsible for killing a settler’s cow. When Chief Conquering Bear refused to comply with their demands, a violent altercation ensued. The death of the chief sparked a counterattack by the Sioux warriors, resulting in the deaths of Grattan and his 30 soldiers.
The Grattan Massacre marked the beginning of the First Sioux War and was a formative moment for Crazy Horse, instilling in him a lifelong distrust of white settlers and military forces. This event would define his path as a fierce protector of his people and their way of life.
The Fetterman Massacre and the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868
As tensions between the Lakota people and the United States escalated, Crazy Horse emerged as a central figure in numerous key battles. One of the most significant of these battles was the attack on Captain William J. Fetterman and his brigade of 80 men. This event, later known as the Fetterman Massacre, resulted in a decisive victory for the Lakota and became a major embarrassment for the U.S. military. Despite the signing of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, which promised the Lakota substantial land rights, including the highly prized Black Hills territory, Crazy Horse remained steadfast in his resistance to U.S. encroachment.
Known for his remarkable ability to evade injury on the battlefield, Crazy Horse also demonstrated a profound resolve in his refusal to engage with the U.S. government on their terms. He declined to be photographed and never affixed his signature to any official documents. His struggle was not merely for land, but to restore the Lakota way of life he had known as a child, when his people roamed freely across the Great Plains.
The Battle of the Little Bighorn
The discovery of gold in the Black Hills and the subsequent influx of white settlers, supported by the U.S. government, led to a fresh round of conflict. The War Department demanded that all Lakota be confined to reservations. Crazy Horse and Chief Sitting Bull, however, refused to comply. On June 17, 1876, Crazy Horse led a force of 1,200 Oglala and Cheyenne warriors against General George Crook’s brigade, successfully repelling their advance toward Sitting Bull’s encampment near the Little Bighorn River.
A week later, Crazy Horse joined forces with Sitting Bull to deliver a crushing defeat to Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and his Seventh Cavalry in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. This battle stands as one of the most significant Native American victories in history, marking a major turning point in the conflict between the Lakota and the United States.
The Death of Crazy Horse
Despite the victory at Little Bighorn, the U.S. Army retaliated fiercely, adopting a scorched-earth policy aimed at forcing the Lakota into total submission. While Sitting Bull led his followers into Canada to avoid further conflict, Crazy Horse continued to resist. However, by the winter of 1877, the relentless pursuit of the U.S. Army, along with dwindling food supplies, weakened his position.
On May 6, 1877, Crazy Horse surrendered at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. Despite being ordered to remain on the reservation, he defied the order to care for his sick wife, choosing instead to take her to his parents’ home. Shortly after his arrest, Crazy Horse was brought back to Fort Robinson, where, in a struggle with military officers, he was bayoneted in the kidneys. He died from his wounds on September 5, 1877, with his father by his side.
Legacy and Monument
Crazy Horse’s legacy endures as a visionary leader who fiercely fought to preserve his people’s traditions and way of life. His resistance is emblematic of the broader struggle of Native Americans during this period of U.S. expansion.
The Crazy Horse Memorial, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, stands as a lasting tribute to his memory. Conceived in 1948, the monument is being carved from Thunderhead Mountain, approximately 17 miles from Mount Rushmore. When completed, it will include a museum and cultural center dedicated to honoring the history and contributions of Native American peoples.