-
Sand Creek Massacre
More than 700 volunteers form the Colorado Territory milita, led by Colonel John M. Chivington, attacked a friendly village of Cheyenne and Arapaho. He ignored peace signals and killed an estimated 70-163 indians, 2/3 of which were women and children. -
Medicine Lodge Treaty
The Medicine Lodge Treaty was the overall name for 3 treaties signed between the US and southern plains indians. It promised peace and protection to the Native Americans. However, the reservations were much smaller than the ones defined a 1865 treaty. Both the US and tribes failed to honor multiple articles in the treaty. -
2nd Treaty of Ft. Laramie
It was an agreement between the US and Lakota, Yanktinai Sioux, Santeee Sioux and Arapaho. The treaty was signed at Fort Laramie in the Wyoming territory. It guaranteed the Lakota ownership to the Black Hills. It also ended Red Cloud's War. -
Battle of Palo Duro Canyon
The 4th Cavalry, led by Colonel Makenzie, moved into the Panhandle Plains from 5 directions, trapping the Native Americans. The troops burned their homes and killed everyone they saw. Finally, the Comanche, Cheyenne, Kiowa and Apache surrendered. It ended the Red River War. -
Battle of the Little Big Horn
The combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes won victory against the 7th Cavalry Regiment led by Custer, who died in battle. It was the most prominant action of the Great Sioux war of 1876. -
Relocation of the Nez Perce
Chief Joseph led the Nez Perce toward Canada. He defeated 10 seperate US forces. But, he surrendered saying "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more, forever." -
Capture of Geronimo
Geronimo and his band of Apaches terrorized the southwest. General Miles and his troops followed the Apaches for months in the dry, hot desert. The Apaches finally surrendered at Skeleton Canyon. -
Ghost Dance Movement Begins
The Ghost Dance was a religious Native American movement to bring back traditional culture. It started because shaman Wovoka had a vision of the evils of the white man. The whites feared these dances because they thought it could lead to an uprising. It ended almost immediately after the Wounded Knee Massacre in December 1890. -
Wounded Knee Massacre
Because of the Ghost Dance, General Nelson Miles led his soldiers to Wounded Knee Creek. The soldiers ordered all of the Indians to hand over their firearms. When a soldier tried taking a gun from a deaf Indian, a shot was fired. Less than an hour later, 150 Indians were killed and another 50 were wounded. It was the last battle of the American Indian War.
