Red Cloud - Early life, Red Cloud's War, The end of peace, His last days

Oglala Sioux chief, born near the Platte R in present-day Nebraska, USA. He was chosen chief over the hereditary candidate because of his intelligence, strength, and bravery. In 1865–8 he led and effectively won ‘Red Cloud's war’, closing the Bozeman trail (in present-day Montana), and forcing the US government to destroy its forts along the trail and to sign the Fort Laramie Treaty (1868), in which the latter accepted the territorial claims of the Sioux in exchange for peace. Although he did not hesitate to criticize the conduct of the US government and its agents, Red Cloud never again went to war against the USA. He made several visits to Washington, DC and undertook speaking tours in Eastern cities, lecturing in 1870 at the Cooper Union in New York City. Despite his peaceful ways, he was removed by the government from his position as chief in 1877, and he and his people were removed to the Pine Ridge Agency in South Dakota.

Red Cloud (Lakota: Makhpyia-luta), (1822 – December 10, 1909) was a war leader of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux). One of the most capable enemies the American military ever faced, he led the successful war in 1866–1868 known as Red Cloud's War over control of the Powder River Country in northwestern Wyoming and southern Montana.

Early life

Red Cloud was born close to the forks of the Platte River by the modern-day city of North Platte, Nebraska. Red Cloud was partly raised by his maternal uncle, Chief Smoke.

Red Cloud's War

In an 1851 treaty at Fort Laramie, the Sioux (among other tribes) had agreed on terms by which the United States might establish limited roads and military posts on Indian land. By 1865, Red Cloud was one of many Indian leaders who believed the United States was breaking the treaty by establishing forts too far up the Bozeman trail.

In June of 1865 Red Cloud's Sioux joined a coalition lead by Woqini (Roman Nose) of the Cheyenne, to attack a military post on the North Platte River. Red Cloud foresaw the expulsion of the Lakota from their land.

In 1866, he began what has come to be known as Red Cloud's War, the most successful war an Indian nation ever waged against the U.S. military. He attained spectacular victories, resulting in a new Treaty of Fort Laramie by which the United States abandoned all forts on the Bozeman Trail and acknowledged Lakota possession of what is now the Western half of South Dakota, including the Black Hills, and much of Montana and Wyoming.

The end of peace

Uneasy relations between the expanding United States and the Indians continued. In 1871, Red Cloud visited Washington D.C., and met with Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ely S.

In 1874, general George Armstrong Custer lead a reconnaisance mission into Sioux territory that reported gold in the Black Hills, a sacred area to the Indians. Red Cloud, along with other leaders, rejected a treaty ceding the territory; At the end of that war, Red Cloud was forced under protest to move to the Pine Ridge Reservation.

His last days

Red Cloud continued fighting for his people, even after being forced onto the reservation.

Red Cloud became an important leader of the Lakota as they transitioned from the freedom of the plains to the confinement of the reservation system.