1. Indian Wars: Northern Plains

3. Sioux and Cheyenne Resistance
Several Sioux tribes fought to stay on their land and protect their hunting grounds
Buffalo being hunted to near extinction
Gold found in the Black Hills within Sioux Reservation
Several Native bands join other non-treaty tribes

4. Sioux and Cheyenne Resistance
Sheridan begins winter campaign
Aborted until spring
Three columns under Crook, Gibbon, and Terry against Powder River
Terry’s 7th Cavalry led by Custer

6. Battle of Rosebud Creek
Crook made first contact
Mainly cavalry
Moved north from Wyoming
Sioux and N. Cheyennes met forces at Rosebud Creek
Tactical draw; Crook withdraws to supply base in the South

7. Battle of Little Big Horn- 6/25/76
Terry and Gibbon met up from the east and south
Unaware of Crook’s engagement in Rosebud Valley
Track Natives across Wolf Mountains towards Little Big Horn
Strategy:
Custer moves along Rosebud River and attacks from South
Terry and Gibbon move from the north, trapping the Natives

9. Custer’s Last Stand Custer moves a day early
Confident of success; unaware of massive Native concentration
Split forces to identify location
Major Reno ordered to charge the camp; Custer hides out of sight to flank enemy
Reno forced to retreat
Custer surrounded by Natives and company is massacred

11. Aftermath of Little Big Horn
Defeat angered the army who became even more ruthless
Greatly increased number of troops to Great Plains
Natives eventually surrender due to pressure/futility of resistance
Sitting Bull escapes to Canada

12. Pine Ridge Campaign

13. Ghost Dance NA religion popular amongst Sioux
Extremely emotional
Call to original way of life
Army began Pine Ridge Campaign (1890)
Several engagements to disarm and control Natives

14. Battle of Wounded Knee December 29, 1890 The soldiers then open fired
Seventh cavalry was sent to round up a group of Indians at Wounded Knee when an ‘excited’ Indian fired a shot
The soldiers then open fired
More than 300 Indians killed in minutes