Crazy Horse, Tashunkewitko of the western Sioux, was born about 1845. Killed at Fort Robinson, Nebraska in 1877, he lived barely 33 years.

As a boy, Crazy Horse seldom saw white men. Sioux parents took pride in teaching their sons and daughters according to tribal customs. Often giving food to the needy, they exemplified self-denial for the general good. They believed in generosity, courage, and self-denial, not a life based upon commerce and gain.

One winter when Crazy Horse was only five, the tribe was short of food. His father, a tireless hunter, finally brought in two antelope. The little boy rode his pony through the camp, telling the old folks to come for meat, without first asking his parents. Later when Crazy Horse asked for food, his mother said, "You must be brave and live up to your generous reputation."

Crazy Horse loved horses, and his father gave him a pony when he was very young. He accompanied his father on buffalo hunts, holding the pack horses while the men chased the buffalo. At the time the Sioux had few guns and the hunting was mostly done with bow and arrows.

When he was 12, Crazy Horse was with his little brother, when they were startled by the growl of a bear. Young Crazy Horse pushed his brother up into a tree and sprang to his horse. Once he controlled the runaway horse he returned, yelling and swinging his lariat over his head and the bear finally turned and ran.

Sioux boys often waited in the field after a buffalo hunt until sundown. Then they would enjoy a mimic hunt and lasso the calves, driving them into camp. Once the larger boys dared Crazy Horse to ride a bull calf. He hung on a good distance, followed by the other boys on their ponies.

When he was 16, Crazy Horse joined his first war party. He followed a Sioux warrior, named Hump, near the front of the charge. When Hump's horse was shot from under him, Crazy Horse leaped from his horse, helped him up in the saddle, and carried him to safety with the enemy in hot pursuit. Hump, then at the height of his own career, pronounced Crazy Horse the coming warrior of the Teton Sioux.

It was customary for young men to spend much time in prayer and solitude, fasting in the wilderness --typical of Sioux spiritual life which has since been lost in the contact with a material civilization.

Hump and Crazy Horse became close friends, in spite of the difference in age. Men called them "the grizzly and his cub." Again and again the pair saved the day in skirmishes with neighboring tribes.

Crazy Horse often pursued the enemy into their stronghold, then instead of killing them, he simply struck them with a switch, showing his disdain. When a party of young warriors led by Crazy Horse pursued a herder to the very gate of the stockade, fire from the garrison killed his young brother.

Once Crazy Horse came back from a winter buffalo hunt with ten buffalo tongues which he sent to the council lodge. Another day killed ten buffalo cows with his bow, and unsuccessful hunters were made happy by his generosity.

Crazy Horse was 21 when all the Teton Sioux chiefs met in council to determine their future policy toward the invader. They once thought that the country was wide, and that the white traders should be made welcome. They had permitted the Oregon Trail, but now to their astonishment forts were built in their territory.

Most of the chiefs advocated a strong resistance. A few still desired to live in peace and were willing to make another treaty. Among them were White Bull, Two Kettle, Four Bears, and Swift Bear. Even Spotted Tail decided they should defend their rights and territory by force. Attacks were to be made upon the forts within their country and on every trespasser.

Crazy Horse was chosen to lead the attack on Fort Kearny. Sitting Bull looked to him as a principal war leader; even the Cheyennes acknowledged this. During the next 10 years of defensive war, he carried out the council's decisions and was frequently consulted by the older chiefs.

Like Osceola, he rose suddenly; like Tecumseh he was impatient for battle; like Pontiac, he fought on while his allies were suing for peace, and like Grant, he was a man of deeds and not of words.

Early in the year 1876, word came from Sitting Bull that all the roving bands would converge in Montana for summer feasts and conferences. Conflicting rumors came from the reservation -- Either the U.S.Army would fight the Sioux to a finish or another commission would be sent out to treat with them.

The Indians came together forming a series of encampments stretching a few miles. In June, scouts reported the advance of troops under General Crook. Crazy Horse was sent with 700 men to attack. They exchanged shots with some Crow scouts, who fled back to Crook's camp to warn him. Again and again Crazy Horse charged with his bravest men in an attempt to bring the troops into the open. He returned to camp disappointed; Crook later retreated.

If Crook had kept on as ordered with his 1000 regulars and 200 Crow and Shoshone scouts, he would have intercepted Custer. The war with the Sioux would have ended right there. Instead, he fell back upon Fort Meade, eating his horses on the way, in a country full of game, for fear of Crazy Horse and his braves!

The Indians now crossed the divide between the Tongue and the Little Big Horn, where they felt safe from pursuit. On June 25, 1876, their great camp was scattered for more than three miles along the river bottom with five circular rows of teepees, up to a mile and a half in circumference.

Crazy Horse was a member of the "Strong Hearts" and the "Tokala" or Fox lodge. He was watching a game of ring-toss when warned of approaching troops. Many men were out on the daily hunt; women and children reacted in confusion. In spite of being caught in the midst of their festivities, the Sioux and the Cheyennes responded quickly.

Crazy Horse saddled his favorite war pony and started toward the south end of the camp, when a fresh alarm came from the opposite direction. Looking up, he saw Custer's force on the bluff directly across the river, planning to attack the camp from both ends at once. Knowing that Custer could not ford the river at that point, he led his men north to the ford to cut him off. This wild general of the plains had outwitted a brilliant leader of the Civil War and ended at once his military career and his life.

Crazy Horse snatched his most famous victory out of frightful peril, for the Sioux could not know how many were behind Custer. It must have seemed as if the Indians rose up from the earth to overwhelm them. Closing in from three sides, they fought until not a white man was left alive. The approach of General Terry compelled the Sioux to break camp and scatter in different directions.

While Sitting Bull was pursued into Canada, the Cheyennes were undisturbed until winter, when the army surprised them. Crazy Horse was not far off. His name was held in respect. Delegations of friendly Indians were sent to him, to urge him to come in to the reservation, promising a full hearing and fair treatment.

For some time he held out. The rapid disappearance of the buffalo meant near starvation for his people. In July 1877, he was convinced to come to Fort Robinson with several thousand Ogallala and Minne-conwoju Sioux, with the distinct understanding that the government would hear grievances.

General Crook and some Indian scouts planned a conspiracy against Crazy Horse. Crazy Horse decided to take his critically ill wife to her parents, whereupon his enemies circulated the story that he had fled. After a party of scouts threatened him, he went to call on agent Captain Lea, accompanied by an imposing escort of warriors on horseback.

The captain urged him to report at army headquarters to explain himself and correct false rumors, and furnished him with a wagon and escort. Some said that he went back under arrest, but others say he went of his own accord, either suspecting no treachery or determined to defy it.

When he reached the military camp, he was unarmed except for the knife carried for ordinary uses by women and men. He walked toward the guardhouse, when his cousin suddenly turned back exclaiming, "They will put you in prison!"

"Another white man's trick! Let me die fighting!" cried Crazy Horse. He tried to free himself and draw his knife, but both arms were held fast. While he struggled, a soldier thrust him through with his bayonet from behind. His old father sang the death song over him and afterward carried away the body. They hid it somewhere in the Bad Lands, his resting place to this day.

Is the Internet available at your school or public library?

Here are some sites on the Internet that may help you find information related to Crazyhorse:

• About the Fetterman Fight:
  http://www.thehistorynet.com/WildWest/articles/1997/12972_text.htm
• Timeline of Northern Plains Tribes:
  http://www.hanksville.org/daniel/timeline2.html
• History of Oglala Sioux leaders:
  http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/3976/Leaders1.html
• Tribute to Oglala Lakota Sioux leaders:
  http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/3976/Hawk.html

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