The Killing of Crazy Horse

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As the union pacific railway line continued to push westward between 1869 - 1876 Eastern Settlers continued to trespass on Indian land across the states of Montana Nebraska, wyoming & Dakota. Homesteaders were outraged that the government would leave any land of value, to the indians who lived there, especially the Black Hills.

Crazy horse was the prominent war leader who led his warriors aginist the land settlers in 1865, he fought against the Third Colorado Cavalry in the Platte River Bridge Station Battle, as a result of his bravery in battle, cheif red cloud & young man afraid of his horses gave the title of “shirt wearer,” or war leader, among his tribe. Crazy horse later participated with several other tribes in december 1866 the Fetterman Massacre, an ambush that killed 80 soldiers and marked the U.S. Army’s worst defeat on the Plains territory at that time. Later, in 1867 the Wagon Box Fight would turn the tide in favor of the settlers, this time they were equipped with new breech-loading rifles that did'nt have the delay of older musket models, we will discuss some of these battles and the role crazy horse played before we look in detail at the killing of crazy horse.

By mid-July 1866 Colonel Carrington had established three posts alone on the Bozeman Trail, with headquarters at Fort Phil Kearny on the east flank of the Bighorn Mountains near present day town of Story, Wyoming, about 230 miles northwest of Fort Laramie, right in the centre of the lakota, northern cheyeenes and northern arapaho hunting grounds. While the troops went about cutting wood and building their fort,cheifs Red Cloud’s & Man Afraid of His Horse were camped just a few miles north of the post in a camp of 2,000 warriors, red cloud and his cheifs were watching the soldeiers advance all through the summer and fall of 1867 to 1868 and as the soldiers

continued to build forts & trespass across the powder river in montana, and so on a bitter cold afternoon on 21st december 1866 Red Cloud & his Chiefs American Horse & Sword decided to attack the wood cutters about 4 miles north of Fort Phil Kearny close to present day Banner Wyoming. the heavily armed wood cutters would go out every day to cut wood and return to the fort. The Indians plan was to use only a small number of warriors to attack the wood cutters camp, which would alert the soldiers in near by fort phil carney

The woodcutters fired at the warriors & sent a smoke signal to the near by fort phil kearney, the gates swung open and out came Captain William Fetterman & 81 soldiers

at that parting moment as the soldeirs rode out of the fort, Colonel Carrington gave strict orders to captain Fettermen, to assist the wood cutters & do not cross the summit of Lodge Trail Ridge. Here was the critical moment for Crazy Horse, he rode out front the decoy warriors along the ridge just about keeping out of rifle range. The soldiers kept up the pursuit & chased the warriors firing volley after volley into their flanks, then the soldiers stopped and continued a heavy fire on the mounted

warriors, as bullets wizzed around them the brave warriors held their ponies while slowly climbing the slope of Lodge Trail Ridge, Crazy Horse was last and dismounted from his horse and checked his horse hooves as if his horse was wounded - Crazy Horse limped as if wounded all the while encouraging the soldiers to continue their pursuit up the Ridge firing towards Crazy Horse bullets kicking up dirt all around him. This was a critical moment in the ambush.

Fetterman who had once claimed that he would whip a 1000 sioux with just a few regulars was sure of victory and thye continued the chase raining bullets up ahead at Crazy Horse who was walking his horse close to the top of the ridge, it was here a Cheyenne warrior named Big Nose rode over the ridge straight towards the soldiers & circled around them and ran back along the ridge, Captain Fetterman gave the order to his men to charge over the ridge after crazy horse 81 soldiers on foot & horseback chased & continued a heavy fire on the retreating warriors as soldiers crossed the top of the ridge, the foot soldiers kept up a non stop of fire with their new 16 shot Henry repeating rifles, killing ponies & warriors, one the foot soldier Lieutenant George Grummond was killed and his men ran for cover amongst the rocks and continued a blistering fire on the advancing warriors. over the ridge about 100 warriors were waiting in ambush.

Fetterman and his mounted soldiers were now across the ridge and engaged in a close fight with the warriors, as more & more warriors came from hiding, American Horse raced towards the soldiers and crashed his horse into Fettermans knocking him to the ground, American Horse dismounted & killed the captain with his war club. Now the soldiers panicked and disorganized engaged in hand to hand combat with the warriors - bullets & arrows flew all around and after 45 minutes the fight was over. Captain Fetterman & his 81 soldiers were Killed...Now with freezing temperatures the warriors left the Ridge and rode back towards camp in Victory over the soldiers. Oglalas - Miniconjous - Arapahos & Cheyenne's. Crazy Horse & High Back Bone on their way home they learned that their comrade Lone Bear was not in the Colum. The two friends rode back towards the battlefield and while dark were able to find the wounded Lone Bear - his fatal wound & blood was now frozen Lone Bear was dying towards the end Crazy Horse cradled his friend in his arms High Back Bone wept for his friend on the freezing ridge TOP OF THE RIDGE THE TOOK HIS BODY back to camp & join the victory dances

Early morning 2nd august 1867 Crazy Horse & over 1000 warriors set out to ambush the woodcutters & as part of the plan some of the warriors led by High Back Bone rode out to attack the wood train, knowing that soldiers would soon ride out from fort phill kearney to rescue the woodcutters . this battle become know as THE WAGON BOX FIGHT

Captain James W Powell 27th Infantry assigned to protect the woodcutters sent out from the fort to Piney island Wyoming. The woodcutters supplied wood for Fort Phil Kearney. At sunrise the warriors rode at a gallop towards the soldiers who retreated behind the wagon box (corral) & circled in a defensive position. In the early morning Crazy Horse & his close friend's he dog, little big man, kicking bear High Back bone rode towards the soldiers camp, the warriors on their fast horses charged, bullets whizzing through the air, straight through the camp and chased the soldiers horses as they retreated to the wagon box correll, at this cruscial point crazy horse had the advantage, however some of his warriors ran to the tents taking food & supplies, losing about 15 minutes at a crucial part of the fight, which gave the soldiers enough time to re group in the Wagon Corral, used as a defence, as the warriors were circling Crazy horse cried out to his warriors to be brave and charge at the soldiers, however Unknown to the brave warriors the soldiers were equipped with new Springfield and spencer repeating rifles along with over 7000 pounds of ammunition, the soldiers continued a rapid fire on the advancing warriors, The warriors’ old tactics of closing fast on horseback for close combat with their enemies no longer worked & they paid a heavy price in causualities.

after the fight Crazy horse was frustrated & disappointed with his some his warriors, for stopping the charge and looting the camp, crazy horse belived if they had of continued victory was possible that day. Estimate's of 60 brave warriors killed that day & 120 wounded while defending their land, there are reports that the number of warriors killed that day was far higher.

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