Chicago/Turabian
Red Cloud or Mahpiya Luta is a famous and strong Native American leader in American history. Red Cloud is well known for his capabilities and strengths shown during Red Cloud’s War and various other important events. Red Cloud was principle chief of Sioux’s largest band Oglala Teton, Lakota, and was among one of the most powerful chiefs of American tribal history. Red cloud leads the band from 1866 to 1909. Red cloud leads American army to fight another war after the civil war, and gave tough challenges to the American army. Red cloud depicted great leadership qualities and supported his people during the important phases of transition. This paper intends to discuss the role of Red Cloud during Red Cloud War, and how Red Cloud changed the life of several Indian tribal.
Red Cloud was born in the year 1822, a place near the Platte River presently known as north-central Nebraska, A city of modern-day. Red Cloud was a man who fought for his people and saved their lands. Red Cloud’s mother name was ‘Walks as She Thinks’, a member of Oglala Sioux. Red Cloud’s father name was Lone Man, a Brule Sioux. Red Cloud’s father was died when Red Cloud was only five years old. Red Cloud was brought up by his maternal uncle, named Smoke. Smoke was a leader of Oglala Sioux. As per traditions of Matrilineal Lakota, Children belonged to their mother’s clan; hence, Red Cloud was taken care by Smoke.
The Oglala was in peace till 1865 when white Americans started entering into their territory after discovery of gold. American army started constructing their building on the hunting grounds of Lakota. The Bozeman Trail, which was leading to the Oregon Trail, brought immigrants wagon trains, miners and settlers. These intruders were a big threat to the food resources available for the tribes. Therefore, Red Cloud refused the deal of non-aggression treaty in year 1866, which was formed to provide passage from the fort Laramie to the fields of gold, presently known as Montana.
Red Cloud showed his resistance to the American government by not allowing them to expand into his territory. Red Cloud was the chief of several Native American groups and was holding a powerful position. Red Cloud responded strongly when American government send their troops to get into Oglala territory. On 21st December 1866, Capt. William J. Fetterman along with the team of 80 soldiers attacked tribal to remove all problems associated with their lands. However, all of them were slaughtered by Red Cloud and his group of one thousand warriors. The incident was recognized as Fetterman massacre.
Red Cloud with his power and war skills forced white Americans not to look into tribes’ territory. By Spring 1868, General U. S. Grant declared that Forts located on the northern side of the Bozeman Trail will be discard. Different events took place during the two years of Red Cloud war describe the power of the Red Cloud. American army faced difficulties during the war and lost the battle after several attempts.
American army named different conflicts and fights took place between the American government and Native American Indian tribes as Red Cloud’s war. These conflicts took place in the Montana and the Wyoming territories. Red Cloud who was chief of different groups i.e. Lakota, Arapaho, and Northern Cheyenne, shown resistance to the orders of the American Government to save the land of his people.
Red Cloud played a major role in the treaty of 1868, Great Sioux Reservation. The treaty covered province of the West River, parts of S. Dakota, and West part of the Missouri river also known as Nebraska. During that time, the relations between the American government and Native Americans were not good. Therefore, Red Cloud decided to visit government authorities in order to improve the situation.
In year 1870, Red Cloud went to Washington D.C. to meet E. S. Parker (Commissioner of Indian Affairs) and also to the president. Red Cloud meetings with both the authorities were successful and resulted in an establishment of Red Cloud Agency. The agency was setup on Platte River. It was the responsibility of the agency to provide weekly supplies and provide annuity goods and cash to the people of Oglala. Agency manager and Government officials were jointly responsible for calculating and determining demands of cash and goods in the area. Red Cloud support was not limited to the establishment of the agency. Red Cloud ensures that agency is delivering supply of goods and cash on time. In the event of any delay in supplies, Red cloud inquired about the reason and extended his help in resolving the problem.
During 1970s various violent incidents took place between American Indians and white Americans. Red Cloud visited Washington several times, and in year 1975 Red Cloud realized that it is difficult to win another battle with white Americans. May 1875, Red Cloud headed the delegations of Lakota in Washington where he assured The President that Indians will respect present treaties.
After analyzing the contributions made by Red Cloud in America history, it is good to conclude that the Red Cloud was great leader and warrior who fought for the land, honor and freedom of his people. Red Cloud was also a transformer who brought significant changes in the lifestyle of the tribal community. Red Cloud died on 10th December 1909 leaving behind his legacy, and contribution he made in achieving freedom of Native Americans.
Works Cited
Allen, C.W., Cloud, R., & Deon, S. (1997). Autobiography of Red Cloud: War Leader of the Oglalas. Helena, Montana: Montana Historical Society.
Drury, B., & Clavin, T. (2014). The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Hyde, G. E. (1975). Red Cloud's Folk: A History of the Oglala Sioux Indians. USA: University of Oklahoma Press.
McDermott, J. D. (2010). Red Cloud's War: The Bozeman Trail, 1866-1868, Volume 1. USA: University of Oklahoma Press.
Monroe, J. (2004). Chief Red Cloud, 1822-1909. Mankato, Minnesota: Capstone.
Olson, J. C. (1965). Red Cloud and the Sioux Problem. USA: U of Nebraska Press.
