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Sand Creak Massacre
Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Native Americans are massacred by Colonel John Chicington’s Colorado volunteers at Sand Creek, Colorado. The US Army killed and mutilated at estimated 70-500 Native Americans, about two thirds were women and children. The Congressional inquiry condemned the battle as a massacre. Cheyenne and Arapaho were promised reparations in an 1865 treaty, but none were paid. -
Battle of Little Bighorn
George Cluster led a scientific expedition into the Black Hills of SD and claimed he discovered gold. When gold miners rushed into the area, the Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho went on the warpath - the mining industry caused just as much conflict as the settlers did. Custer’s 7th Cavalry went in to subdue them but he foolishly attacked a force of 1500 with only 250 in Montana and was wiped out. The Native American victory was short lived through as more soldiers were sent into the area. -
Wounded Knee
Last major conflict between the army and Native Americans. Performed the ghost dance, Sioux used this to try to reconnect the past. In order to do this dance they had to take a piece of flesh from the arm. US settlers feared it was a war dance. In the end US troops massacred around 200 men, women and children.
