Red Cloud
     Named for a famous Indian chief and home to both a Pulitzer Prize - winning novelists and a Base Ball Hall of Fame pitcher, the town of "Red Cloud" got its official start in 1871, 49 years before the real Red Cloud was born. At the towns second Fourth of July celebration the following year, there was an unplanned buffalo stampede through the middle of the festivities. The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad arrive in 1881 and by 1882, It connected Red Cloud to both Kansas City and Denver. For a nickel fare, a horse-drawn street-car line transported people from the depot to the downtown district. It operated until 1917 when the track was torn up to make way to new brick-paved streets. This town was named after Red Cloud the chief. This town has had a few famous people to which they are, Willa Cather a Pulitzer Prize - winning Novelist, Native Son Clarence Athur "Dazzy" Vance, Red Cloud's baseball team pitcher.
     Red Cloud was born in 1822 in western Nebraska. In 1841, he killed Bull Bear who was the chief of the Koya Oglalas. In 1866, Red Cloud's warriors laid siege to Fort Phil Kearny in December: wipeout William Fetterman and his eighty man command. In 1868, Red Cloud signed a treaty to end warfare. The United States Government agreed to withdraw troops from Lakota lands near Powder River. In 1876, Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho forces to destroy General George Armstrong Custer and his men at the battle of the Little Big Horn accused of supporting the campaign, Red Cloud and others are arrested. In 1889, the United States officials persuaded the Sioux to relinquish eleven million acres of land to non-Indian settlers. In 1909, Red Cloud dies at Pine Ridge Agency.
     Very little is known about his childhood. He was involved in a lot of games that taught him how to fight. When he was about six years old, his father gave him a spirited colt, and said to him, "My son, when you are able to sit quietly upon the back of this colt without saddle or bridle, I shall be glad for the boy for the boy who can win the wild creature and learn to use it will as a man will be able to win and rule men."
     When Red Cloud was young, He used to swim across the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. When Red Cloud was nine he would ride the back of his Dad's pony. At the age of twelve he learned how to herd horses so he tried it again and again until he was really good at it. Another day, He hit a buffalo with an arrow trying to kill it. He jumped on his back and tried to shove it in further but the buffalo shoved its head to the side and knocked him off. Both the horse and Red Cloud flew in the air. His dad said " One day that the stampede will run, you will spring to your feet and run for your life.
     When he was older one night, he rolled over scarcely in his blanket because of a slight rustle up by the entrance as if some creature was about to share its retreat. He assumed a bear or a man, so he was ready for battle. He had no room in a small TP to withdraw a bow so it was knife to knife or if a bear, knife to claws. He waited for hours then all of a sudden he sneezed. Without warning a man leaped on top of him. The man appeared to be a Ute hunter. Both the Ute hunter and Red Cloud stared at each other then smiled as if there was a peace treaty between them.
     Red Cloud offered to put knives away and to have a smoke. They did smoke, said there good byes, then went back to there villages. When Red Cloud was back in his village, he told the village of what he was doing. Most got mad at him for not fighting, but they were ok with it after a while. Red Cloud is specially distinguished himself.
     In 1854, when Red Cloud was barely thirty-five years old various bands were again encamped near Fort Lamarie. A train left a foot sore cow behind and the young men killed it for food. The next day, an officer with thirty soldiers went into their camp to tell them of a conquered bear that they gave away. In vain the chief protested it a mistake and made reparation. 
     It would seem that the Federal was drunk or really hated Indians for he wouldn't accept it. The men who killed the cow should be sent to summary punishment. The old chief was shot. Not one soldier made it to the Big Gate of Lamarie. From now on, Red Cloud was now leading the camp feeling he killed the half breed interpreter.
     Red Cloud saying "We cannot let the white men welcome, they have weapons way more powerful than ours, they also brought the spirit water that can make one forget for a long time, weakness and sorrow. You must begin a new life and forget your fathers. You must pack up the food and don't help the hungry. When your house is built, storeroom full then go to a neighbor and steal all of their food. Give away that what you do not want. Do not part with any of your positions unless change or trade with others." 
     Unless than a week of this speech, the Sioux moved onto Fort Phil Kearny, the new sentinel that had just tooken place upon the Frontier, guarding The Oregon Trail. Every signal detail has been planned real good. Every Sioux Chief had agreed to striking the blow. The young leader, Crazy Horse, was to lead the charge. The lieutenants were Sword, Hump, and Dull Knife with little Chief of Cheyenne's, while the old man acted as councilors. In less than an half an hour, they had nearly cut down a hundred men under the captain of Fetterman, which they drawn out of their Fort by a ruse and then annihilated. Instead of the Sioux punishing them, they sent a commission to treat the Sioux.
     The famous Treaty of 1868, Red Cloud was the very last one to sign it. He refused at first until he noticed that the forts within the treaty should be vacated. It has started that the Black Hills and the Big Horn was stated Indian territory. It was set apart for their perpetual accompany. No white man should enter the region without the consent of the Sioux.
     The treaty was barely signed. When gold was discovered in the Black Hills, the cry for the Indians were: "Remove the Indians!" "We are told.", said Red Cloud, "That Spotted Tail is to be the beggars chief." The Indians that talked to the white men only want their riches. How can an Indian be popular as a rich man? An Indian cannot be rich if he is without being an Indian. Red Cloud has listened patiently to the promises of the Great Fathers. The bands separated soon after this council. To follow the draft of the buffalo, some in the vicinity of Black Hill of others in Big Horn region. Small war parties came time from time over stray travelers. They received no mercy at their hands. Red Cloud acclaimed the right to guard and hold a force all of his territories which had been considered to his people by the treaty of 1868. There were bonds of white horses thieves and desperados who took advantage of the situation to plunder Indians. In a battle, Red Cloud did not participate in person, nor in earlier one with crook upon the Little Rosebud. Red Cloud had a son in both battles, he was more than councilor than a warrior, but this man were constantly on the field. Spotted Tail surrendered and was in close touch with reprehensive of the Government.
     "Among latter-day chiefs, Red Cloud was notable as a quiet man, simple and direct in speech, courageous in action, ardent lover of his country, and possessed in a marked degree of the manly qualities characteristics of the American Indians in his best days."

    Bibliography

               

    N/A , Chronology of Red Cloud's life ,   http://www.jbtank.com/indians/redcloud.html , http:// , 5-9-05 9:30 AM  

      N/A ,  Red Cloud -- Webster County , http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/webster/redcloud/redcloud.htm , http:// , 5-9-05 9:10 AM

  N/A , Red Cloud , http://www.indigenouspeople.net/redcloud.htm , http:// , 5-11-05 9:35 AM

   

 

Jason Van Vleck

 8th American History

2005 Project