This manuscript offers a succinct analysis is the book- Life of George Bent:
The Life of George Bent was written more than half a century ago from the letters of George Bent written to George Hyde. However, with the advent of the First World War, the publication of this manuscript was impossible leading to the discarding of the manuscript. It was not until recently that the manuscript was discovered and considered worth publishing upon some editing. George Bent was the Colonel Bill’s (William) son who operated the Bent’s Fort together with his brother Charles in Colorado. Bent’s mother on the other hand was Owl Woman, the daughter of the keeper of the Medicine Arrows, a high priest of the Southern Cheyennes. The Bent brothers traded with the Indians in Dakota in the early 19th century before deciding to shift their operation base to Arkansas, a border between Mexico and the United States. It is during this time that the Bent brothers also built a Fort in the area. The book thus gives an account of the letter exchanged between the two persons concerning life at the port. The letters also document George Bent’s experiences with the Cheyenne kinsmen and the events preceding the suppression of the Indians on the southern Great Plains. Through the book, it is possible to gain insights into the Cheyenne way of life and the aftermath of the Sand Creek Massacre which took place in 1864 that resulted in many fatalities. The main narrator in the manuscript is thus Bent himself.
Arrangement of chapters
Life of George Bent illustrates a life at the Port and gives a 15 chapter review of the progression of events in the Ports life. The books starts by addressing the Cheyenne’s way of life, who were Bents “people”. Bent identifies the Cheyennes as his people owing to the existing relations that can be drawn from his mother, whose father was a high priest of the Cheyennes. The progression of events sees Bent documents the events of life at the port in succession from the Medicine Arrows, to general life at the Fort, the wars pitting the Indians and the Whites (U.S army) and the skirmishes in Arkansas and the surrounding regions. Noteworthy person during this time such as ‘Roman Nose’ are also documented up to the time of the signing of peace treaties between the Native s and the U.S Federal Government.
Summation
The chapters in the ‘Life of George Bent’ progress sequentially while addressing the major disasters at the time such as the historical sand creek disaster which witnessed the murder of numerous Cheyenne Indians among whom were Bents relatives and family. This war took place in 1864 when the Colorado Territory Militia confronted and demolished the peaceful Cheyenne village in the south of Colorado. Approximately 163 Native Americans were either killed or mutilated as Bent documents, with the majority being women and children.
The Book equally documents the great Raids that took place at the time in the Great Plains and also life at the Powder River and the battle of Powder River also christened the Battle of Powder River which occurred in 1876. This documented attack on a Cheyenne Indian encampment by Colonel Reynolds resulted in the Great Sioux War of 1876. The book also documents the exploits and life of the “Roman Nose”, a Native American belonging to the Cheyenne’s who was “invincible in battle.” Regarded as invincible in battle, the ‘Roman Nose’ distinguished himself in combat to such a level that the U.S military misidentified him as the leader of the Cheyenne’s. His rise to fame as Bent documents, came about in the aftermath of the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864. He led retaliatory attacks against European and American settlements in the infamous battles of Julesburg along the Powder River in Wyoming until his demise in 1868.
Contrary to popular belief, ‘Roman Nose’ was not a Cheyenne leader of any sort nor was he a leader of any of the six Cheyenne’s military formations according to Bent. However, he was responsible for most hostilities between the U.S Military and the Cheyenne’s as a warrior. According to Bent, ‘Roman Nose’ was a member of the Cheyenne’s Crooked Lance Warrior Society and often declined to take any place among the elites of the Cheyenne’s society. As an influential figure, he was persistent in refusing any peace treaties with the U.S Federal government. Despite his efforts, a peace treaty was reached in 1865 in Arkansas.
Bent also documents life at the Medicine Lodge, which was reference to the sacred tabernacle or mystery house. The Cheyenne’s often erected leafy branches during festivities marking their yearly sun dance. The Medicine lodge was situated in the valley of the medicine lodge river. Bent thus records the signing of a treaty at the lodge – the Medicine Lodge Treaty, which was signed between the U.S. and the Cheyennes, the Kiowa’s and the Comanche. This treaty was occasioned by the numerous raids from the Natives as Bent documents.
The chapters in ‘The Life of George Bent’ progress sequentially and offers insights into the battle of Washita River, the summit springs, the Fetterman Fight and finally the Adobe walls. The Battle of Washita also called the Washita Massacre took place in 1868 when the U.S. Military under Col Armstrong attacked a southern Cayenne camp on the Washita River. Subsequent attacks such as the Battle of Summit Springs in 1869 would later ion follow between the U.S. Military and the Cheyenne Dog soldiers. The Fetterman fight of 1866 as documented by Bent records the victory of the Cheyennes and the Arapaho and Lakota’s over a contingent of U.S. soldiers who were all (81 men) killed. Finally, the Adobe Walls was the site of constant conflict between the Cheyennes and the Anglo forces and the Army.
Writing style
Bent’s writing style is a great read and style for popular history literature. Major historical events are captured to the minute details while insights into the fascinating way of life of the Cayenne’s is also offered. The supporting credentials (offered in the books footnotes) which accompanied Bents work were particularly insightful and essential in legitimizing his account.
Thoughts regarding the author’s writing style
Personally, the author presents a clear and easy to follow account of his life at the Port which in turn offers insights into major historical undertakings at the time. The major battles between the Cayenne’s and the U.S army, together twit the migrations and peace treaties at the time are well captured. However, the text tends to become monotonous at times, not because of the style of writing, but mostly due to the repetitive story that recurs in the text a lot. Despite Bent’s attempt to add a little bit of flair in his writing, the outcome, can sadly, be predicted easily.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the book offers great insights concerning the way of life of the Cayenne’s, the Raids and the U.S. wars pitting these Native Americans and the U.S Army. The Cayenne where mostly a peaceful people based on the books accounts. However, tensions due to a changing culture in the U.S. and the struggle for resources was a major contributing factor to the witnessed massacres and tension between the Natives and the U.S. Federal government. The subsequent signed peace treaties would prove to be instrumental in mitigating against this conflict that was seemingly getting out of hand.
The U.S army on the other hand was partly to blame for the war and the tension with the Natives. From Bents Account, the Army conducted waves of attacks against the Natives and although peace was attained eventually, from the signed treaties, better ways of solving the issues could have been pursued. Overall, the book is a good read and should be studied more in literal cycles.
Bibliography
Hyde, George E. Life of George Bent: Written from His Letters. University of Oklahoma Press, 2015 (pp. 1-353).
