To our everlasting shame, we also can claim membership in the club of mass murders. The magnitude of the numbers paints us as petty criminals compared to the real monsters, however it matters not to those who were slaughtered at Wounded Knee 122 years ago, under "Old Glory".
The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, near Wounded Knee Creek on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, USA. It was the last battle of the American Indian Wars. On the day before, a detachment of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment commanded by Major Samuel M. Whitside intercepted Spotted Elk's band of Miniconjou Lakota and 38 Hunkpapa Lakota near Porcupine Butte and escorted them five miles westward to Wounded Knee Creek where they made camp.
The remainder of the 7th Cavalry Regiment arrived led by Colonel James Forsyth and surrounded the encampment supported by four Hotchkiss guns.
On the morning of December 29, the troops went into the camp to disarm the Lakota. One version of events claims that during the process of disarming the Lakota, a deaf tribesman named Black Coyote was reluctant to give up his rifle, claiming he had paid a lot for it. A scuffle over Black Coyote's rifle escalated and a shot was fired which resulted in the 7th Cavalry's opening fire indiscriminately from all sides, killing men, women, and children, as well as some of their own fellow troopers. Those few Lakota warriors who still had weapons began shooting back at the attacking troopers, who quickly suppressed the Lakota fire. The surviving Lakota fled, but U.S. cavalrymen pursued and killed many who were unarmed.
By the time it was over, at least 150 men, women, and children of the Lakota Sioux had been killed and 4 men, 47 women and children wounded, some of whom died later. Some estimates placed the number of dead at 300. Twenty-five troopers also died, and 39 were wounded. It is believed that many were the victims of friendly fire, as the shooting took place at close range in chaotic conditions. At least twenty troopers were awarded the coveted Medal of Honor.
Regards,
GtG
You make it sound like someone woke up that morning and said...’It’s such a nice day lets go out and kill some Indians!”
It began many years before with a vision of Wavoka the Piute in Nevada. (We could get into a religious discussion but that is for a later time).
It spread to all the Indian tribes only being rejected by the Navajos because of their fear of GHOSTS.
It foretold of the disappearance of the White man and a return of the buffalo, and dead ancestors.
They were told to make bullet proof “ghost shirts” and do the “Ghost Dance”, and attack the whites. Fear caused the white settlers to demand army protection.
The army surrounded this particular band of Indians, calling for them to give up their guns. The Indians brought out some junk guns (like current buy backs), the Army began to search and find hidden guns in the lodgings.
Then according to OTHER SOURCES, a medicine man gave the signal and the Indians began to shoot. The Ghost Shirts didn’t work and they were shot down.
Frederic Remington did a series of paintings on this. His friend, an officer was later arrowed to death.
So there is always an alternate version that no one likes to hear which must be taken into account.