-The Battle of Wounded Knee
The Battle at Wounded Knee Creek was the last major armed conflict between the Lakota and the United
States, subsequently described as a "massacre" by General Nelson A. Miles in a letter to the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs. On December 29, 1890, five hundred troops of the U.S. 7th Cavalry, supported by four Hotchkiss
guns (a lightweight artillery piece capable of rapid fire), surrounded an encampment of the Lakota Sioux with
orders to escort them to the railroad for transport to Omaha, Nebraska. By the time it was over, 25 troopers and
more than 150 Lakota Sioux lay dead, including men, women, and children. Some of the soldiers are believed to
have been the victims of "friendly fire" because the shooting took place at point blank range in chaotic conditions.
Around 150 Lakota are believed to have fled the chaos, many of whom may have died from hypothermia.
The Ghost Dance
Directions: As you watch the video, answer the questions below. The questions are in the order of the video.
1. By 1890, Native American reservations were broken up by what law (act)?Dawes Act
2.
While Sitting Bull was living on the Standing Rock reservation, what was his premonition? The worst fate – to die at
the hands of his own people.
3. What was the name of the ceremony which was taught to Sitting Bull? Ghost Dance
4. What was the purpose of the Ghost Dance ceremony? (i.e. What would be observed?)Dance in a large circle,
chanting – Restore the earth, summon their ancestors, bring back the buffalo herds, get rid of the white man.
5. Why were 5,000 U.S. troops sent to maintain order in the Dakotas?An Indian Agent reported seeing Indians dancing
in the snow and acting wild and crazy
6. What happened to Sitting Bull? Shot in the head by one of his own people (a member of the Indian Police)
7. When the Lakota fled, where did the U.S. Army lead them? Wounded Knee Creek
8. What happened on December 29, 1890? Fighting begins at Wounded Knee – attempt to disarm the Sioux
9. What happened on January 15, 1891? 4000 Remaining Ghost Dancers surrender
10. Using the excerpt above, explain the significance of the Battle of Wounded Knee.