December 29, 1890, the Massacre at Wounded Knee

Summary

December 29, 1890, marks the Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota, where U.S. Cavalry troops, led by Colonel James Forsyth, surrounded the Lakota Sioux, led by Bigfoot. Tensions escalated during attempts to disarm the Lakota, leading to a deadly exchange when a shot was fired. Between 150 and 300 Native Americans, mostly women and children, were killed, along with 25 soldiers. The massacre is viewed as the final major conflict of the Indian Wars, remembered as a tragic event in American history that highlights the brutal treatment of Native Americans.

Takeaways

• 📅 December 29th, 1890, marks the tragic Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota.
• 🪖 Colonel James Forsyth and the 7th Cavalry surrounded the Lakota Sioux, led by Chief Bigfoot.
• 🌀 The tension was fueled by the Ghost Dance movement, a spiritual belief among Native Americans that promised the resurgence of native rule and invincibility through ceremonial shirts.
• 📜 The U.S. government was determined to suppress the Ghost Dance, fearing it would lead to rebellion.
• 🔫 A misunderstanding occurred when a deaf man named Black Coyote resisted giving up his gun, leading to its accidental discharge and triggering the massacre.
• 💥 The 7th Cavalry used deadly artillery, including Hotchkiss guns, to kill between 150 and 300 Lakota, many of whom were women and children.
• 🏞️ Even those who fled, including women and children seeking refuge in a ravine, were killed by gunfire from the hilltop.
• ⚖️ Colonel Forsyth was briefly relieved of duty but later reinstated after a court found no wrongdoing.
• 🏅 Shockingly, 20 soldiers from the 7th Cavalry were awarded Medals of Honor despite the brutality of the massacre.
• 🪦 A mass grave was dug for the victims, highlighting the tragic loss of life in what is considered the last major event of the Indian Wars.

Q & A

What significant event took place on December 29th, 1890, according to the transcript?

The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29th, 1890, where U.S. soldiers killed between 150 and 300 Lakota Sioux, including many women and children.

Who was Colonel James Forsyth and what role did he play in the Wounded Knee Massacre?

Colonel James Forsyth was the leader of the U.S. 7th Cavalry, which surrounded Bigfoot’s camp at Wounded Knee. His troops attempted to disarm the Lakota, which led to the massacre.

What was the Ghost Dance and why was it significant in the context of the Wounded Knee Massacre?

The Ghost Dance was a religious movement among the Plains Indians, who believed it would restore native rule and protect them from bullets. The U.S. military saw it as a threat, contributing to the tensions that led to the massacre.

What was the U.S. government’s intent when they surrounded Bigfoot's Lakota camp?

The U.S. government, led by Colonel Forsyth’s 7th Cavalry, intended to disarm the Lakota Sioux at Bigfoot’s camp as part of efforts to suppress the Ghost Dance movement.

How did the conflict at Wounded Knee start?

The conflict began when a deaf Lakota man named Black Coyote resisted giving up his gun, and it accidentally discharged. This led to chaos and a full-scale attack by the U.S. soldiers.

What was the significance of the Hotchkiss guns during the massacre?

The Hotchkiss guns, powerful artillery capable of firing 50 rounds per minute, were positioned on a hill and played a devastating role in the massacre, killing many Lakota, including women and children.

What was the aftermath of the Wounded Knee Massacre in terms of casualties?

Between 150 and 300 Lakota Sioux were killed, with more than half being women and children. Additionally, 25 soldiers from the U.S. 7th Cavalry were killed.

How did the U.S. government and military respond to Colonel Forsyth after the massacre?

Colonel Forsyth was relieved of his command six days after the massacre, but after a court review, he was reinstated and found to have acted within his duties.

What was artist Frederick Remington’s role in documenting the Wounded Knee event?

Frederick Remington created drawings and paintings of the event, notably for Harper’s Weekly, which depicted the cavalry as defending themselves from a native uprising, a portrayal that some argue downplayed the massacre’s brutality.

What happened to the victims of the Wounded Knee Massacre after the event?

Due to a blizzard, the bodies of the Lakota were left for three days before being buried in a mass grave, highlighting the tragic scale and aftermath of the massacre.