Wounded Knee Creek

[joewiggs]

Starving on their reservations in South Dakota, the Sioux grew desperate. In the late 1800's, word grew concerning the coming of a "Messiah"who would right all the wrongs perpetrate against the Indian by the "white" man. This restoration of the old way of life would be accomplished through a "dance." Once the dance began with the living, the dead would soon join in. The ghosts of the buffalo and the ghosts of the dearly departed would be force to return from the nether world into the world of the living. As a common cause united the Sioux, frightened citizens and Indian bureau Officials became nervous and demanded protection against "Indian outbreaks."

In December of 1890, Old Sitting Bull was killed by Indian Policeman. many Sioux fled the reservation thinking that they would be killed next. Big Foot's runaway band was captured North of the Pine Ridge Agency and escorted to a campsite on Wounded Knee Creek.

When the 7th. Calvary followed orders to disarm the Indians a shot rang out. The rest, of course, is known. This was the final time in which regular soldiers would meet the Indian in a major action.

Ironically, it seems that the spirits of the dead soldiers on Custer Hill had the final say after all.

[joewiggs]

Did you know that George Wallace died at the Wounded Knee Battle?

[tbw]

Knew, but don't know how. Perhaps he miscalculated the distance it took for the arrow to reach him. ;D

[joewiggs]

I'm going to do some quick research but, I think he got it in the head by an unknown Indian assailant!

[whitebull]

"Wallace was attempting to take a rifle from a deaf Minneconjou man who didn't fully comprehend why he must surrender his weapon. As the two struggled, the gun fired into the air."
"the Last Stand" Philbrick

Because the soldiers had been placed in a circle around the encampment they wound up firing in the Indians as well as them selves.

Wallace was latter found with a bullet in his forehead.

[joewiggs]

Absolutely ironic! To have escaped from the Big Horn field unscathed only to fall at Wounded Knee, possibly at the hand of a fellow soldier, accidentally!

[whitebull]

It's a shame that he went out that way. Wonder what his message might have been if he lived to old age? You think he may have changed his testimony a bit like some of the others did?

[joewiggs]

This is one of the saddest episodes of early, American history. it need not happen, it should have not happened. What irony, for Wallace to have survived the "last Stand" just to die this way. Unbelievable!