Little Bighorn: Custer's Defeat and Crazy Horse's Glory

Crazy Horse, whose Lakota name was "Tȟašúŋke Witkó" (pronounced Tashunke Witko), was a legendary Native American leader and war chief of the Oglala Lakota Sioux. He played a significant role in the resistance against the encroachment of white settlers and the United States government's policies on the Great Plains in the 19th century.

He was born around 1840 near present-day Rapid City, South Dakota, into the Oglala Lakota, one of the seven tribes of the Lakota Sioux. His given Lakota name, "Tȟašúŋke Witkó," translates to "His Horse Is Crazy" or "His Horse Is Spirited." The name "Crazy Horse" is an English translation of his Lakota name and became widely used to refer to him.

As an iconic figure from the 19th century and a legendary Native American leader, the details of Crazy Horse's private life are not well-documented in the traditional sense. Much of what is known about him comes from oral history and accounts shared by other individuals who knew him or were part of his community. As a result, separating fact from myth can be challenging, and some aspects of his private life may remain shrouded in mystery.

Crazy Horse was described by some contemporaries as being quiet, reserved, and humble. He was known to be deeply spiritual and had a reputation for his introspective nature. From a young age, Crazy Horse displayed exceptional skills as a warrior and leader. He was known for his bravery in battle and his tactical brilliance.

He was known to have loved a woman named Black Buffalo Woman (also known as Black Shawl), and they may have had a son together. However, historical evidence on this aspect of his private life is limited.

Crazy Horse was deeply committed to the preservation of Lakota culture, traditions, and way of life. He resisted the encroachment of white settlers and the U.S. government's policies that threatened Native American sovereignty and land rights. He played a significant role in the Native American resistance against westward expansion and the U.S. government's attempts to forcibly relocate Native tribes to reservations.

Little Bighorn and dead of General Custer

In June 1876, Crazy Horse, along with other Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors, fought against the forces led by General Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in present-day Montana. The Native American alliance decisively defeated Custer's Seventh Cavalry Regiment, leading to the event becoming known as "Custer's Last Stand."

General George Armstrong Custer, a prominent figure in American history, met his end during this battle on June 25, 1876. This fight, also known as Custer's Last Stand, took place near the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory.

Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander who became famous during the American Civil War. In 1876, he was leading a military expedition into the Black Hills of Dakota Territory, which had been designated as Lakota Sioux territory by treaties, but was also the site of gold discoveries, leading to increased tensions between the U.S. government and the Native American tribes in the area.

Custer's force, which consisted of about 700 soldiers, primarily members of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, encountered a much larger force of Native American warriors, including Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho, led by Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and other tribal leaders.

On the morning of June 25, 1876, Custer divided his forces into three battalions to encircle the Native American camp. However, one of his battalions, led by Major Marcus Reno, was quickly overwhelmed and forced to retreat. Custer and his remaining 200 or so men found themselves vastly outnumbered and surrounded.

In what would become his last moments, Custer and his men made a last stand on a hilltop known as "Last Stand Hill." Despite their courage and resistance, they were ultimately overrun and killed by the Native American warriors. Custer himself was killed during the battle, along with all of his soldiers. The exact circumstances of his death remain a subject of historical debate, as there were no survivors from his immediate command to provide firsthand accounts.

The Battle of the Little Bighorn was a significant event in the Great Sioux War of 1876-1877 and had a profound impact on the relationship between the U.S. government and the Native American tribes of the Great Plains. It became a symbol of Native American resistance against encroachment on their lands and cultures.

Surrender and Death

After the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Crazy Horse continued to fight against U.S. forces. However, as the Native American resistance weakened and resources became scarce, he eventually surrendered in 1877. Tragically, he was killed the following year under unclear circumstances at Fort Robinson, Nebraska.

Crazy Horse became a symbol of Native American resistance and the fight for cultural preservation. He is revered among the Lakota and many other Native American communities as a heroic and inspirational figure.