Crazy Horse (Tasunka Witho) lived thirty-three years of age before he died. He did many great deeds before he was killed. Deeds for him as well as his great people.
Crazy Horse other wise known as Tasunka Witho was born on the Republican River in 1842. As a young boy his nickname was Curly because of his hair. He was born in the Oglala tribe. Even as a youngster he was seen as a to be warrior by his elders. When the whites started the band he was five years of age. It was cold that winter, and the food was short. His dad brought home a buffalo, and Crazy Horse jumped on a pony and told the old people there was food in his tent. And they took all of the food.
     In 1854 he turned 12 years old. He was teaching his little brother how to catch ponies, but they got distracted when they found some wild cherries. They were eating them, but a bear came he threw his little brother in the closest tree. He jumped on his horse after some distance he gained control of his horse. He charged after the bear yelling and swinging his lariat over his head. The bear showed fight in him at first, but then it turned and ran away from his brother and himself.  When he turned thirteen years old he started stealing Crow horses. He was a good horse rider and went on buffalo hunts with his dad. But, he only got to watch over the horses.
     When he turned sixteen he joined his first war party. He followed Sioux leader Hump. Humps horse was shot down, but Crazy Horse jumped off his put Hump on his and led him to safety. The battle was against an Indian group called the Gros Ventres. After he became a legendary Teton Sioux warrior. Crazy Horse was courteous and modest. He was a true brave, and stood highest in the Sioux group. He became best friends with Hump they were called "the grizzly and his cub," because of their age difference.

Picture of Hump Crazy Horse best friend.
     He spent much of his younger days in prayer. He was in many different battles during his life. His brother was killed during a charge against the garrison. During that winter after the tragic loss of his only brother; he went on a great hunt. He killed ten buffalo's, and those who killed none or little all chanted songs of his kindness and thanks. For sharing his buffalo's with the men, women, and children.
     In 1863 he turned twenty-one years old. And the Teton Sioux chiefs decided to attack the white intruders. "We did not ask you white men to come here. The Great Spirit gave us this country as a home. You had yours. We did not interfere with you. The Great Spirit gave us plenty of land to live on, and buffalo, deer, antelope and other game. But you have come here, you are taking my land from me, you are killing our game, so it is hard for us to live. Now, you tell us to work for a living, but the Great Spirit did not make us to work, but to live by hunting. You white men can work if you want to. We did not interfere with you, and again you say, why do you not become civilized? We do not want your civilization! We would live as our fathers did, and their fathers before them." Crazy Horse 1865. After Crook was to meet Crazy Horse at the next meetings, but his scouts told him Crazy Horse says, " Only cowards and murderers." Crazy Horse led his men in every battle and war. He was very much skilled in Guerrilla tactics in wars and battles.
     Tasunka Witho fought in the 1865-1868 war led by an Oglala chief named Red Cloud. The war was against the settlers. He was congradulated for his ferocity in battle. And recognized as a visionary leader. He played an important part in destroying Fetterman's brigade at Fort Phil Kearny." One does not sell the earth upon which the people walk." Crazy Horse.  During the battle of Rosebud. Crazy Horse led seven-hundred warriors against an United States 1,200 soldiers and five-hundred Crow and Shoshone scouts. The battle started at dawn, but it only lasted the morning when they both withdrew. Crook retreated to Wyoming, and Crazy Horse to the Little Bighorn.

Chief Red Cloud
      Tasunka Witho never had his picture taken because he thought it would take his soul. He kept fighting on with the unwelcome settlers. Until the Fort Laramie Treaty in 1868. The Indian's fought the settlers. Crazy Horse was always waiting to fight, known for his deeds, and he rose suddenly. He won every battle except for two. In 1876 he charged the United States Army on the Tongue River.
     Crazy Horse allied with Sitting Bull in 1876. He was 33 years old. On June twenty-fifth; Custer's 7th regiment attacked three mile wide encampment of Sioux and Cheyenne. Crazy Horse flanked them from the North and West. The Hunkpapa braves led by Gall attacked from the South and East. Custer was trapped in his own trap; his group fought on, but he and his group were all killed. Reno's group was almost destroyed completely when he was saved by General Terry. Crazy Horse got one of the most famous victories in beating the army.

Sitting Bull
    When the war department led Lakota tribes on reservation in 1876, but Crazy Horse led a resistance. He won against Custer long hair, Fetterman, and Crook all famous and great soldiers in battle." Crazy Horse was the personification of savage ferocity though a young man, he was of a most restless and adventurous disposition, and arrived at great renown amount the warriors even before he was 26 years of age. In fact, he had become the war chief of the souther Sioux and the recognized leader of the hostile Oglalas." General Nelson A. Miles.
     After the Battle of the Little Bighorn Crazy Horse fought soldiers at Slim Buttes. Even though he was out numbered. After the Slim Buttes in September 1876. He fought at Wolf Mountains in January 1877. He took his wife away cause she was ill, but soldiers brought him back cause they thought he was starting another battle. When they brought him back. His cousin starts yelling it's a tricks it's a trick. He tried to escape but a soldier stabbed him in the back with a bayonet. He fell and sung the death song.

    He died that day. The army hid his body in the Bad Lands for his resting place. He was a pure patriot. He did no wrongs only rights. He died a truest indian. Crazy Horse lived thirty-three years until he was killed at Fort Robinson, Nebraska in 1877. In Crazy Horse memory the United States created a mountain carved Crazy Horse. The memorial was created by Korczak Ziolkowski.

The monument of the legendary Crazy Horse

Brandon Kaywood Miller

8th Grade

Rossville Jr. High

Plains History Project

2004

Bibliography
Revised: February 05, 2004 .