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| Crazy Horse was one of the
bravest Sioux warriors ever. He was born on the Republican River
about 1845. He was said to be a rather handsome man. His
childhood nickname was Curly. Crazy Horse loved horses and when he
was a very young boy his father gave him a pony. He loved his
brother dearly and at the age of twelve he saved him from an attacking
bear. If that doesn't show you his bravery he also killed a
buffalo at the age of twelve.
At the age of sixteen he inherited his fathers name Crazy Horse and led a charge against the Gros Ventres. He was a natural leader of his people especially in time of war. His best friend was probably Hump. People called them "the grizzly and the bear" because Hump was much older than him. Crazy Horse's greatest fight would probably have to be the Battle of Little Bighorn. In June 1876 all Sioux Indian tribes came together. The camp stretched for about three miles. On June 17 scouts reported that their was an advance being made by a large body of troops under General Crook. The war party went in the night so that the enemy could not see them. Within three or four miles from camp they came unexpectedly upon some of General Crooks Crow scouts. They fired shots and the crows fled back to Crooks camp but were pursued by the Sioux by the Sioux. The soldiers were warned by the shots fired at the Crows and it was impossible for Crazy Horses war party to enter the well-protected camp. Again and again Crazy Horse attacked the camp but could not get the troops in the open. The attack lasted for a very long time and toward the afternoon he finally withdrew and returned to camp. The Indians now crossed the divide between the Tongue and the Little Bighorn where they felt safe. Later that same day Custer tried to attack the tribe at the river bottom. But Crazy Horse was ready and outsmarted Custer and took his life. That turned out to be Crazy Horses greatest victory. After the battle Sitting Bull fled to Canada. Crazy Horse and his people wondered about undisturbed for the rest of the year because many people were afraid to attack him. On May 5, 1877 after a long winter and his people starving, Crazy Horse led 800 followers to Fort Robinson and surrendered. They were promised a reservation but that turned out to be a lie. On September 5, 1877 he was taken to Fort Robinson and not knowing he was going to be put in jail, he tried to resist it and was bayoneted by a soldier. He died later that evening at the age of 33.
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