By John Doerner
Webmaster's Note: This detailed timeline of
historic events starting in 1400 and ending in 2003 was graciously
provided by Chief Historian of Little Bighorn Battlefield National
Monument, John Doerner. We provide this timeline as a reference for
students and research. We do not have time to debate the contents of the
timeline, therefore we will not answer any correspondence regarding it.
Jump here to
find out what life was like in the United States in 1876.
1400
Ancestral
tribe of the Apsaalooke (Crow) and Hidatsa are living in “The Land of
Forests and Many Lakes” (upper Great Lakes and Canada).
1450
Crow leaders No Intestines and Red Scout fast and receive
vision at Spirit Lake (Devils Lake, ND). Two leaders separate, with their
followers. No Intestines searches for sacred tobacco and finally settles
in southeastern Montana and becomes known as Ashala/Many Lodges (Mountain
Crow). Red Scout and his people settle on Missouri River and become
sedentary agrarian farmers known as Hidatsa.
1490
Crow firmly established in their homeland of south-central/southeastern
Montana, and northern Wyoming, displacing the Shoshones and allying
themselves with Kiowa’s.
1640 FRENCH
JESUITS DOCUMENT TETON SIOUX (LAKOTA) IN WISCONSIN AND MINNESOTA. CHIPPEWA NADOWE-IS-IW “ADDER” OR “SNAKE” NAME CORRUPTED TO NADOWESSIOUX BY FRENCH. ENGLISH TRADERS ABBREVIATE NAME TO “SIOUX”.
SIOUX CALL THEMSELVES
“Otchenti Chakowin” or Seven Council Fires.
Lakota Sioux Traditional
Oral History places origin of Lakota in the Black Hills. Lakota came out
of Wind Cave in the breath of the Buffalo.
1658
JESUITS DOCUMENT TETON
SIOUX (LAKOTA) IN GREEN BAY WISCONSIN AREA AND FORESTS OF SOUTHERN
MINNESOTA.
1680
French
Franciscan Louis Hennepin describes “Nation du Chien” Ch.haiena (Cheyenne)
living among Dakota Sioux in area between Mississippi River and Lake
Issati in present day Minnesota.
Cheyenne visit Sieur de La Salles Fort on Illinois River. Then begin their
transition from sedentary farmers and earth lodge dwellers, to nomadic
buffalo hunters on the high plains.
1700
SPANISH FUR
TRADER LeSUR MAKES CONTACT WITH SAHNISH (ARIKARA) IN VICINITY OF FT.
PIERRE. ARIKARA LOCATED SOUTH OF HEART RIVER IN PRESENT DAY NORTH DAKOTA.
Crow
acquire their first horses from a Shoshone camp near the Great Salt Lake.
Cheyenne arrive in present day North Dakota.
1720-1750
TETON SIOUX (LAKOTA)
FOLLOW CHEYENNE MIGRATION ONTO PLAINS AND OBTAIN HORSES, FIREARMS,
AND METAL TRADE GOODS.
1738
ARIKARA
OBTAIN AND TRADE HORSES. FRENCH FUR TRADER Sieur de laVERDRYE first
ENCOUNTERS the Mandan on the Missouri River and ARIKARA NEAR the MOUTH OF
CANNONBALL RIVER, sixty six years before the Corps of Discovery of Lewis
and Clark.
1742 - 1743
LaVerendrye expedition brothers Chevalier Francois, and Louis Joseph
ENCOUNTER APSAALOOKE (CHILDREN OF THE LARGE-BEAKED BIRD) AT CONFLUENCE OF
BIGHORN AND LITTLE BIGHORN RIVERS. LA VERENDYRE BROTHERS CALL APSAALOOKE
beaux hommes (handsome men). CROW NAME GIVEN TO APSAALOOKE. CROWS CALL
WHITE MEN baashchiile, “person with white eyes.”
On
January 1st, the French explorers Verendryes are the first
white men to see what is believed to be the snow-covered peaks of the
Rocky Mountains to the west “Shining Mountains”) in what is now Montana.
April 9th:
Verendrye brothers first meet the Teton Sioux (Lakota) approximately 50
miles south of present day Pierre, SD.
1750s
HORSE CHANGES PLAINS
INDIAN LIFE AS TRIBES FOLLOW MIGRATING BUFFALO HERDS, AND DEVELOP A
SURPLUS ECONOMY ON THE NORTHERN PLAINS.
1750
ARIKARA IN
THE BLACK HILLS. CHIEF LITTLE CHERRY’S BAND IS THOUGHT TO BE ABSORBED INTO
KIOWA. LITTLE CHERRY SACRED BUNDLE MISSING.
1760
Lakota
Sioux reach Missouri River and make first contact with horses owned by Arikara.
1766
Cheyenne and Dakota
Sioux camp together on the Minnesota River in present day south east
Minnesota.
1775
LAKOTA SIOUX CHIEF
STANDING BEAR DESCRIBES BLACK HILLS IN WINTER COUNT.
1779-1781
SMALL
POX EPIDEMIC DEVASTATES NORTHERN TRIBES ALONG MISSOURI RIVER.
1790
Chippewa
Chief Sheshepaskut describes Chippewa raid that destroys Cheyenne farming
village at Biesterfeldt, along Cheyenne River in present day eastern North
Dakota.
1785
Lakota force Crow from
Northern Black Hills.
1795
2ND
SMALL POX EPIDEMIC WIPES OUT ALL BUT THREE OF 32 ARIKARA VILLAGES.
Jean Baptiste Trudeau visit Cheyennes in present day North Dakota. Cheyennes
soon move into Black Hills region of present day South Dakota.
1803
U.S. PURCHASES LOUISIANA
TERRITORY FROM FRANCE.
1804-1806
LEWIS AND
CLARK CORPS OF DISCOVERY OF: LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPLORES AND MAPS THE UPPER
MISSOURI RIVER, YELLOWSTONE RIVER, AND PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
1806
Crow warriors take
horses meant for Capt. William Clark near present day Huntley, Montana.
1807
MANUEL LISA ERECTS FIRST
FORT-FUR TRADING POST AT JUNCTURE OF YELLOWSTONE/BIGHORN RIVERS.
1812
EASTERN MONTANA’S NAME
CHANGED FROM LOUISIANA TERRITORY TO MISSOURI TERRITORY.
1820
Cheyenne capture Crow
village on Pryor Creek. Crow annihilate a Cheyenne war party on Prairie
Dog Creek. Only one Cheyenne warrior escapes alive.
1820s
Cheyenne tribe splits.
Southern Cheyenne arrive on Arkansas River.
1823
August 9th:
BATTLE OF 1823 – Col. LEAVENWORTH ATTACKS ARIKARA VILLAGE . Lakota Sioux
help Leavenworth’s forces in the successful attack.
1825
TREATY OF
FRIENDSHIP SIGNED BETWEEN U.S. GOVERNMENT AND CROW NATION. Chief Long Hair
gives Major Fallon representing the U.S. the RIGHT TO REGULATE TRADE AND
OTHER CONTRACTS BETWEEN APSAALOOKE AND NON-INDIANS. U.S. AGREED TO PROTECT
CROW FROM UNAUTHORIZED INTRUSIONS.
ATKINSON-O’FALLON PEACE AND INTERCOURSE TREATY SIGNED WITH ARIKARA.
Cheyenne
Chief High Backed Wolf and other chiefs sign Friendship Treaty with U.S.
at mouth of Teton River.
1830
Lakota become familiar
with Platte River valley. They hunt buffalo during the summer and
engage in raids against the Pawnee.
1831
SITTING BULL BORN ON
GRAND RIVER IN PRESENT DAY SOUTH DAKOTA..
1834
FT. WILLIAM (FORT LARAMIE) ESTABLISHED ON NORTH PLATTE RIVER. BECOMES
FIRST PERMANENT TRADING POST IN WYOMING.
1837
3RD SMALL POX EPIDEMIC ON UPPER MISSOURI RIVER. ARIKARA JOIN
MANDAN AT FT. CLARK, ND.
Small Pox
epidemic sweeps through the Cheyenne.
LAKOTA SIOUX PUSH WEST AND ROUTE KIOWA FROM BLACK HILLS, AND CROW FROM
POWDER RIVER BASIN.
Battle of
Wolf Creek- Cheyennes and Arapaho defeat Comanches and Kiowas.
1839
GEORGE
ARMSTRONG CUSTER BORN IN NEW RUMLEY OHIO.
1840
CRAZY HORSE BORN ON
RAPID CREEK.
Cheyenne
occupy Black Hills.
Crow
Nation afflicted with first of three small pox epidemics that is
devastating to the tribes population, estimated at 10,000.
BUFFALO
HERD IN WESTERN U.S. ESTIMATED AT 40 MILLION.
1840
Cheyenne and Arapaho
meet at Bent’s Old Fort and make peace with Comanche and Kiowa.
Cheyenne now range into region south of the Arkansas River.
1842
Crow war party arrives
on North Platte River to engage in battle with the Lakota.
1843-1845
FIRST EMIGRANTS TRAVEL OREGON TRAIL
BOUND FOR OREGON.
1843
Oglala Lakota Chief watches seemingly endless flow of
settlers. Pointing back to the east, he asks a settler “Are their any
white remaining there?”
June 27th:
Iron Shell, Lakota warrior kills 11 Pawnee in Loup River Battle.
1846
IRISH POTATO FAMINE
FORCES IRISH IMMIGRANTS TO U.S. IN LARGE NUMBERS.
1848
GOLD DISCOVERED AT
SUTTER’S MILL , CALIFORNIA.
1849
FT. LARAMIE ESTABLISHED
ON SITE OF OLD FT. WILLIAM ON THE NORTH PLATTE RIVER.
1852
CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH.
1851
FT. LARAMIE TREATY
ESTABLISHES TRIBAL BOUNDARIES TO END INTER-TRIBAL WARFARE AND PROTECT
EURO-AMERICAN SETTLERS.
CROW
NATION BOUNDARY ESTABLISHED AT 38,531,147 ACRES.
1854
AUGUST 17TH:
GRATTAN FIGHT - ERUPTS AFTER a cow from a MORMON WAGON TRAIN IS KILLED
BY HIGH FORE- HEAD, MINNECONJOU LAKOTA SIOUX, NEAR FT. LARAMIE, WYOMING.
LT. GRATTAN AND 29 SOLDIERS are KILLED IN ATTEMPT TO ARREST the
CULPRIT,
BY BRULE LAKOTA.
1855
SEPTEMBER 3: BVT. BRIG. GENERAL WILLIAM S. HARNEY ATTACKS BRULE SIOUX UNDER LITTLE
THUNDER AT ASH HOLLOW ON BLUE WATER CREEK IN RETALIATION FOR Grattan
MASSACRE. 86 SIOUX KILLED AND 70 WOMEN AND CHILDREN CAPTURED.
1855
Cheyenne Fox Military
Society leads raid on Shoshone in Wind River Range, in present day
north western Wyoming. Capture enemy pony herd.
1855-60
Cheyennes
capture Crow village on the Powder River.
1856
5TH
SMALL POX EPIDEMIC AGAIN DEVASTATES TRIBES.
Theft of
Army Horses – Cheyennes steal over 100 army horses during midwinter on the
Arkansas River.
1857
July: Col. Edwin V.
Sumner attacks Cheyenne under White Antelope on Solomon River, in
retaliation for Cheyenne raids on settlers along the Platte River.
First
clash occurred between Cheyenne and U.S. troops along Oregon Trail.
1860
April 3rd:
PONY EXPRESS Begins mail special 10 day/ 1,900 service from St. Joseph, MO
to San Francisco, CA using relays of mounted riders.
April 6th:
Pony Express arrives at Fort Laramie; first Overland Stage runs between
St. Joseph, MO and San Francisco, California.
Crow and
Mandan clash on Otter Creek.
September14th: Brule Lakota attack Pawnee in NE Nebraska and burn 60 earth
lodges.
1860s
Cheyennes
continue raids against Shoshone in Wind River valley. Shoshone retaliate
with raid on Cheyenne village on the Powder River.
1861
TELEGRAPH SERVICE is
INTRODUCED, and makes the PONY EXPRESS OBSOLETE.
1861-1862
6TH SMALL POX
EPIDEMIC AGAIN DEVASTATES TRIBES.
1862
GOLD
DISCOVERED IN WESTERN MONTANA. July 28: Montana’s first major gold strike
occurs at Bannack on Grasshopper Creek.
August 17-23: Minnesota
Santee Sioux Uprising.
1864
MAY 26TH:
territory of Montana established.
BOZEMAN
TRAIL ESTABLISHED BY JOHN BOZEMAN AS SHORTCUT THROUGH LAKOTA HUNTING
LANDS TO WESTERN MONTANA GOLD FIELDS.
Crow’s
successfully defend their homeland from attack by Lakota, Cheyenne, and
Arapaho on East Pryor Creek north of present day Pryor, MT.
Southern Cheyenne Peace Chief Black Kettle, White Antelope, and Bull Bear
visit Denver, Colorado and meet in peace council with John Evans, Colorado
Territorial Governor.
November
29th: SAND CREEK MASSACRE: COLORADO MILITIA VOLUNTEERS
under Col. John M. Chivington
ATTACK SOUTHERN CHEYENNE CHIEF BLACK KETTLES VILLAGE. Yellow Wolf and
White Antelope are killed. Chief White Antelope ironically states earlier
that “Ever since I went to Washington and received this medal, I have
called all white men as my brothers, but other Indians have since been to
Washington and got medals, and now the soldiers do not shake hands, but
seek to kill me.”
JULY 28: SIOUX DEFEATED BY GEN. SULLY AT BATTLE OF KILLDEER MOUNTAIN,
DAKOTA TERRITORY.
1865
February: Cheyennes attack wagon train at Fort Sedgwick, Colorado.
June 14th:
Spotted Tail, Brule Lakota leads uprising against U.S. Troops.
July 26: Platte Bridge
Fight, Casper, Wyoming. Lt. Caspar Collins killed. Casper, Wyoming named
after him.
AUGUST 14TH:
FORT RENO IS ESTABLISHED NORTH OF PRESENT DAY DOUGLAS, WYOMING TO PROTECT
TRAVELERS ON THE BOZEMAN TRAIL.
AUGUST
29TH: CONNER FIGHT – GEN. PATRICK CONNER AND 125 CAVALRYMEN AND
U.S. INDIAN SCOUTS under orders to drive the Indians from their hunting
grounds and along the Bozeman Trail-Big Horn country, ATTACK an ARAPAHO
VILLAGE UNDER BLACK BEAR. 7 SOLDIERS WERE WOUNDED AND 35 ARAPAHO’S KILLED.
1866
RED CLOUD’S
WAR – OGLALA LAKOTA CHIEF RED CLOUD LEADS ATTACKS AGAINST TRAVELERS USING
BOZEMAN TRAIL WHICH CROSSES CENTER OF SIOUX HUNTING GROUNDS. SIOUX AND
CHEYENNE ALLIE TOGETHER TO PROTECT THEIR DIMINISHING HUNTING GROUNDS.
JULY 13TH:
FT. PHIL KEARNY ESTABLISHED SOUTH OF PRESENT DAY SHERIDAN, WY TO GUARD
TRAVELERS ALONG THE BOZEMAN TRAIL.
AUGUST 12TH: FT. C.F. SMITH ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT MINERS
AND SETTLERS USING BOZEMAN TRAIL.
Nelson Story brings
first Texas cattle trail herd to Montana.
GENERAL ORDER NO. 56,
U.S. ARMY, AUTHORIZES 1,000 INDIANS TO BE ENLISTED AS U.S. SCOUTS IN THE
TERRITORIES AND INDIAN COUNTRY.
RED
CLOUD’S WAR BEGINS.
December 6th: Lakota attack wood cutting detail outside Ft.
Phil Kearny.
“Battle of the
100 Slain”: DECEMBER 21ST: CAPT. WILLIAM FETTERMAN AND 81 MEN
ARE DECOYED FROM FT. PHIL KEARNEY AND ARE KILLED IN BATTLE BY LAKOTA SIOUX
AND CHEYENNE.
1867
April 18:
John Bozeman, who found the Bozeman Trail, killed by Indians.
July 20th: Congress by an Act of July 20, 1867,
authorizes the President to appoint a Peace Commission “to negotiate
treaties with all the plains tribes in order to remove their just causes
of complaint, to secure peace and safety for the whites, not only in their
settlements but along their trails and railroads, and to institute plans
for civilizing the Indians.”
BOZEMAN TRAIL TRAFFIC CEASES EXCEPT FOR OCCASIONAL ARMY SUPPLY TRAINS.
AUGUST 1ST: HAYFIELD FIGHT – NEARLY 1,000 LAKOTA AND CHEYENNE
ATTACK SIX CIVILIAN HAY CUTTERS AND 19 SOLDIERS OUTSIDE FT. C.F. SMITH.
THE SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS REPEL THE ATTACKERS WITH NEW MODEL 1865 .50
CALIBER SPRINGFIELD BREECH LOADING RIFLES.
AUGUST 3RD:
WAGON BOX FIGHT OUTSIDE FT. PHIL KEARNY. RED CLOUD’S LAKOTA ALLIED
WITH CHEYENNES ATTACK SOLDIERS AND WOOD CUTTERS IN FOOTHILLS OF BIGHORN
MOUNTAINS. SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS BARRICADE THEMSELVES BEHIND WAGON BOXES
AND REPEL WARRIORS WITH NEW SPRINGFIELD BREECH LOADING RIFLES
August 6th:
(Fruit Season) Cheyennes Wreck Train – Spotted Wolf leads Cheyenne raid
against Union Pacific Rail Road near Plum Creek Nebraska. Kill UPRR crew
and take supplies.
October 28th:
MEDICINE LODGE CREEK TREATY SIGNED IN KANSAS ESTABLISHES 2 RESERVATIONS IN
INDIAN TERRITORY (WESTERN OKLAHOMA) FOR CHEYENNES AND ARAPAHOS; AND THE
KIOWA, COMANCHES, AND KIOWA-APACHES. TREATY SOON BROKEN BY BOTH SIDES.
November 6th: Sitting
Bull attacks Fort Berthold.
1868
April 29th:
FT. LARAMIE TREATY ENDS RED CLOUD’S WAR AND ESTABLISHES GREAT SIOUX
RESERVATION INCLUDING PAHASAPA THE SACRED BLACK HILLS, & UNCEEDED
TERRITORY FOR LAKOTA SIOUX. BOZEMAN TRAIL FORTS ABANDONED.
SEPTEMBER 17TH: BATTLE OF BEECHER ISLAND – 50 SOLDIERS AND
FRONTIERSMEN FIGHT OFF APPROXIMATELY 500 CHEYENNES UNDER ROMAN NOSE FOR
EIGHT DAYS IN NORTHEASTERN COLORADO. LT. BEECHER AND ROMAN NOSE ARE
KILLED.
ACT OF CONGRESS ESTABLISHES WYOMING TERRITORY FROM PARTS OF IDAHO, DAKOTA,
AND UTAH TERRITORIES.
NOVEMBER 27TH: BATTLE OF THE WASHITA- 7TH CAVALRY
ATTACKS SOUTHERN CHEYENNE CHIEF BLACK KETTLE’S VILLAGE ON THE WASHITA
RIVER, in response to Cheyenne raids on settlers along the Smokey Hill
River.
August 18-20: The last wagon train
rolls out of Ft. Phil Kearny. As the last of the soldiers disappear over
the horizon, the Sioux burn the fort down.
ULYSSES S. GRANT
NARROWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT.
1869
TRANSCONTINENTAL
RAILROAD COMPLETED.
JULY 11th:
5th Cavalry under Major Eugene Carr, surprises and destroys
Cheyenne village under Tall Bull on Summit Springs in retaliation for
raids on settlements along the Republican River.
First
Government Agency is established for the Crow on Hide Scraper Creek
(Mission Creek).
September 26th: U.S. Troops engage southern Lakota and
Cheyenne at Prairie Dog Creek.
Lt. Col.
George A. Custer and the Seventh Cavalry rescue two white women Cheyenne
captives on Sweet Water River. Slim Face is captured and later killed.
1870
ARIKARA, MANDAN & HIDATSA RESERVATION BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED
BY EXECUTIVE ORDER. LAND REDUCED TO 7.8 MILLION ACRES.
1872
August 14th: BAKER FIGHT: GEN. STANLEY’S
EXPEDITION SURVEYS YELLOWSTONE VALLEY FOR NORTHERN PACIFIC RAIL ROAD.
CLASHES WITH SITTING BULL AND LAKOTA EAST OF MODERN DAY BILLINGS,
MONTANA.
YELLOWSTONE BECOMES AMERICA’S FIRST NATIONAL PARK.
Crow
Government Agency moves to present day Absarokee, MT.
October
2nd: Lakota attack Ft. McKeen.
October
3rd: Lakota attack Northern Pacific Rail Road survey crew on
Heart River west of Bismarck, North Dakota.
NOVEMBER
19TH: FT. McKEEN LOCATED ACROSS THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA RENAMED FT, ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Fall: U.S. Arikara Chief
of Scouts Howling Bear, leaves Fort McKeen (Ft. Lincoln) and rides to Fort
Berthold Indian Agency to recruit Arikara’s as scouts against the Lakota
Sioux.
1873
“PANIC OF 1873” - U.S.
EXPERIENCES FINANCIAL RECESSION.
7TH
CAVALRY ARRIVES IN DAKOTA TERRITORY TO GUARD NORTHERN PACIFIC RAIL ROAD
CREWS SURVEYING NEW ROUTE FROM BISMARCK TO PUGET SOUND WASHINGTON.
FT. ABRAHAM LINCOLN ESTABLISHED NEAR BISMARCK TO PROTECT NORTHERN PACIFIC
RAIL ROAD AND SETTLERS. BECOMES 7TH CAVALRY HEADQUARTERS.
October 15th:
Lakota warriors attack Fort Lincoln.
SEPTEMBER 23RD:
YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITION UNDER COMMAND OF COL. DAVID STANLEY (WHICH
INCLUDED LT. COL. GEORGE A. CUSTER AND 7TH CAVALRY) RETURN TO
FT. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAIL
ROAD HALTS AT BISMARCK, DAKOTA TERRITORY.
BARB WIRE, COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER, AND WINCHESTER 1873 INVENTED.
September 18th: Capt. Eagan leads 2nd Cavalry in
attack against Lakota war party on the North Laramie River.
1874
July 2: LT. COL.
GEORGE A. CUSTER LEADS 7TH CAVALRY OUT OF FT. LINCOLN TO
CONDUCT SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION
INTO BLACK HILLS. GOLD IS DISCOVERED.
1875
June 2nd:
Steamer Josephine reaches the Bighorn River.
SEPTEMBER 20TH: U.S. GOVERNMENT COMMISSION UNDER SENATOR ALLISON
MET WITH LAKOTA IN FIRST FORMALIZED ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE BLACK HILLS.
SEPTEMBER
29TH: LAKOTA SIOUX REFUSE U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFER OF $6 MILLION
FOR BLACK HILLS.
November 3rd:
Secretary of the Interior Zachariah Chandler and Assistant Secretary
Benjamin Cowen, and Secretary of War William Belknap, are called to the
White House to meet with the president and Generals Sheridan and Crook.
They discuss the Indian question, and President Grant confides in them his
decision to resort to war against the Sioux.
NOVEMBER 9TH:
E.C.WATKINS, U.S. INDIAN BUREAU REP. REPOTS ON STATE OF AFFAIRS ON GREAT
SIOUX RESERVATION INDIANS. REPORT FINDS MANY ANGRY AND UPSET OVER
CONDITIONS AND FOOD ALLOTMENTS. MANY LEAVE TO JOIN SITTING BULL AND CRAZY
HORSE. WATKINS SUGGESTS that THE INDIANS BE TURNED OVER TO THE
MILITARY AND “WHIPPED INTO SUBJECTION.
December 3rd: Secretary of the Interior, Zachariah
Chandler issues an ultimatum targeted at Sitting Bull and his
non-reservation followers to “return to the reservation by January 31,
1876 or be deemed hostile.”
1876
U.S. POPULATION 46
MILLION WITH 38 STATES. 35,000 MILES OF RAIL ROAD TRACK. U.S. BECOMING AN
INDUSTRIAL POWER.
FIRST ELECTRIC STREET
LIGHTING IN U.S.
20
IRISH COAL MINERS HANGED IN PENNSYLVANIA AS MEMBER OF THE MOLLY MAGUIRES
FOR MURDERING THEIR BOSSES.
"THE ADVENTURES OF TOM
SAWYER" BY MARK TWAIN PUBLISHED.
JANUARY 31ST:
U.S. GOVERNMENT ULTIMATUM DEADLINE IGNORED BY SITTING BULL AND HIS
FOLLOWERS.
February 1st:
Secretary of the Interior Zachariah Chandler informs Secretary of War,
William Belknap that problems with the Lakota Sioux are “now turned over
to the War Department, for such action of the Army as you may deem
proper…”
February 8th:
General Phil Sheridan sends confidential telegraphs to General Terry and
General Crook, notifying them that the “War Department has ordered
operations against hostile Indians.”
FEBRUARY 21st
– March 4th: Major James Brisbin with a small force of 221, departs Ft.
Ellis, Montana to relieve a party of civilians besieged by Lakota Sioux at
Ft. Pease Trading Post near mouth of Bighorn River.
March 3rd:
Former U.S. Indian Scout Bloody Knife is hired as a Civilian Scout by the
U.S. Quartermaster, Fort Abraham Lincoln, for the approaching Great Sioux
Campaign against Sitting Bull.
MARCH 17TH:
COL. REYNOLDS ATTACKS CHEYENNE VILLAGE ON POWDER RIVER.
March 24th:
Lakota and Cheyenne survivors of Col. Reynold’s attack are given refuge by
Crazy Horse.
March 26th:
General George Crook’s column returns to Fort Fetterman.
March 29th :
Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer testifies before the Clymer Committee in
Washington D.C. concerning corruption in the Army and Indian post
traderships. President Grant is incensed at Custer’s personal
attacks against his brother and friends.
APRIL 3rd:
MONTANA COLUMN UNDER COL. JOHN GIBBON DEPARTS FT. ELLIS IN PURSUIT OF
SITTING BULL.
April 9th:
Lt. James Bradley arrives at Crow Agency (near Livingston, MT) to recruit
Crow’s as U.S. Indian Scouts in the campaign against their traditional
enemy the Lakota under Sitting Bull.
April 10th:
25 Crow’s are enlisted as U.S. Indian Scouts to assist Col. John Gibbon’s
command in locating Sitting Bull’s allied Lakota and Cheyenne.
April 26-May 9: 30 new Arikara’s are enlisted as U.S. Indian Scouts for
the campaign against Sitting Bull. The scouts will be used to provide
reconnaissance information on the Lakota and Cheyenne, carry important
dispatches and mail, and locate suitable locations for campsites.
MAY 10TH:
PRESIDENT GRANT OPENS CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION AT FAIRMOUNT PARK IN
PHILADELPHIA. ENTRANCE FEE 50 CENTS.
May 16th:
Lt. James Bradley and approximately 25 soldiers and scouts discover Lakota
and Cheyenne camp on the Tongue River.
May 17th:
Col. John Gibbon attempts to cross to south side of Yellowstone River to
attack village but decides to remain north of the Yellowstone after
several horses drown in the attempt.
MAY 17TH:
DAKOTA COLUMN UNDER COMMAND OF GENERAL TERRY DEPARTS FT. LINCOLN IN PURSUIT OF SITTING BULL WHO IS
BELIEVED TO BE LOCATED ALONG THE LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER. CUSTER
COMMANDS THE 7TH CAVALRY.
May 29th:
President Grant announces that he will not seek a third term as president.
MAY 29TH:
WYOMING COLUMN UNDER GEN. GEORGE CROOK DEPARTS FT. FETTERMAN IN PURSUIT OF
SITTING BULL.
JUNE - MOON OF THE
RIPENING CHOKE CHERRIES
June 2nd:
General Crook orders his civilian scouts to make contact with his “Crow
allies”.
JUNE 4-7: A
SUNDANCE CEREMONY IS HELD AT DEER MEDICINE ROCKS. SITTING BULL RECEIVES A
VISION OF SOLDIERS FALLING INTO HIS CAMP. A GREAT VICTORY OVER THE BLUE
COATS IS PROPHESIZED.
June 9th: At
6:00 PM Lakota and Cheyenne fire on Gen. Crooks camp from a high bluff on
the north side of the Tongue River. Crook orders a counter attack and
drives the warriors away after a nearly one hour battle.
June 10th:
Major Marcus A. Reno and six Companies of the Seventh Cavalry, and one
Gatling Gun and crew, are ordered on a ten day reconnaissance of the area
west of the Powder River to the Tongue River to help determine the
location of Sitting Bull’s encampment.
June 16th:
Lakota under Crazy Horse and Cheyenne under Two Moons leave their village
on Reno Creek, and ride out to attack Gen. George Crook's command
proceeding down Rosebud Creek.
June 17th:
BATTLE OF THE ROSEBUD –BATTLE WHERE THE SISTER SAVED HER BROTHER – Crook’s
column is attacked at mid-morning by Lakota and Cheyenne, resulting in a
six hour heated battle. Nine soldiers are killed in action, 13 warriors are
reported slain. Crook retains the field but withdraws to his base camp
located on Goose Creek (present day Sheridan, WY).
Major Reno returns from
his reconnaissance scout of the Powder River and Rosebud Creek. Reports to
General Terry that he has located signs of abandoned Lakota villages in
upper Rosebud valley.
June 18:
Sioux and Cheyenne enter Little Bighorn valley and set-up their
village.
JUNE 21ST:
Supplied with news of Sitting Bulls recent encampment along the Rosebud
valley, GEN. TERRY HOLDS A BATTLE CONFERENCE ABOARD STEAMER FAR WEST,
ANCHORED AT MOUTH OF ROSEBUD CREEK AND YELLOWSTONE RIVER.
JUNE 22ND:
LT. COL. GEORGE A. CUSTER AND 12 companies of the 7TH CAVALRY
are ordered to MARCH UP ROSEBUD CREEK in pursuit of Sitting Bull. Mark
Kellog, Bismarck Tribune reporter sends back last dispatch with prophetic
epitaph “I go with Custer and will be at the death.”
June 22nd:
General Terry joins Col. Gibbons column and marches west up the
Yellowstone River before crossing over to the Bighorn River valley.
June 24th: General Terry,
and his staff along with Col. Gibbon’s column are ferried to south side
of the Yellowstone River near the mouth of the Bighorn River by Captain
Grant Marsh and the riverboat Far West. The Montana column proceeds up the
Bighorn River valley in a pincer movement toward Sitting Bull, and hopes
to reach the mouth of the Little Bighorn River at or about June 26.
SATURDAY JUNE 24TH:
DYING DANCING CEREMONY HELD IN INDIAN ENCAMPMENT. APPROXIMATELY 20 YOUNG
LAKOTA AND CHEYENNE TEENAGERS TAKE SUICIDE VOW.
7TH CAVALRY
HALTS AT PRESENT DAY BUSBY, MONTANA. U.S. INDIAN SCOUTS SENT AHEAD TO
CROW’S NEST TO VIEW LITTLE BIGHORN VALLEY. ARRIVE AT 2:30 AM.
June 25th: Battle of the
Little Bighorn begins.
JUNE 26TH:
BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN ENDS. SITTING BULL’S VILLAGE WITHDRAWS IN
LATE AFTERNOON UP LITTLE BIGHORN VALLEY AFTER SCOUTS REPORT GEN. TERRY’S
COLUMN ADVANCING UP BIGHORN VALLEY.
JUNE 27TH:
GENERAL TERRY AND MONTANA COLUMN ARRIVE AND DISCOVER CUSTER’S DEAD
BATTALION.
JUNE 28TH:
MAJ. RENO’S COMPANIES BURY CUSTER’S COMMAND.
JUNE 29TH –
30th: 7TH CAVALRY WOUNDED EVACUATED TO STEAMER FAR
WEST ANCHORED AT THE MOUTH OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN RIVER NEAR PRESENT DAY
HARDIN, MONTANA. 52 transported to Fort Lincoln Hospital for medical
treatment.
JULY 5TH: FAR
WEST ARRIVES AT BISMARCK WITH NEWS OF CUSTER’S DEFEAT.
JULY 6TH:
BISMARCK TRIBUNE PUBLISHES NEWS OF CUSTER’S DEFEAT. NEWS REACHES GEN.
SHERMAN AND GEN. SHERIDAN ATTENDING CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.
Mrs. Elizabeth Bacon
Custer receives word of her husbands death at the Little Bighorn at 7:00
AM by Lt. C.L. Gurley, 6th U.S. Infantry, at her residence at
Fort Abraham Lincoln. She agrees to console the other widows and their
families at the post.
JULY 17TH:
COL. WESLEY MERRIT AND THE 5TH CAVALRY INTERCEPT APPROXIMATELY
800 CHEYENNES LEAVING RED CLOUD AGENCY, NEBRASKA TO JOIN SITTING BULL AND
CRAZY HORSE. IN A RUNNING FIGHT YELLOW HAIR IS KILLED BY SCOUT WILLIAM F.
CODY (BUFFALO BILL).
AUGUST 15TH:
SIOUX AND CHEYENNE WHO REMAINED ON THE GREAT SIOUX RESERVATION WERE
DISARMED, AND DISMOUNTED. CONGRESS VOTED TO SEIZE THE BLACK HILLS, AND
UNCEEDED TERRITORY WEST OF THE 103RD MERIDIAN. THE FORCED
RIGHT OF WAY FOR THREE ROADS TO THE BLACK HILLS ALSO RESULTS.
SEPTEMBER 1ST:
James Butler Hickock also known as “WILD BILL HICKOCK” is MURDERED IN THE
NUMBER 10 SALOON AT DEADWOOD BY JACK McCALL.
SEPTEMBER 7TH:
JESSE JAMES GANG ATTEMPTS TO ROB THE BANK IN NORTHFIELD MINNESOTA WITH
DISASTROUS RESULTS.
SEPTEMBER 9TH:
BATTLE OF SLIM BUTTES. CAPT. ANSON MILLS ATTACKS 37 LODGES UNDER OGLALA
LAKOTA SIOUX CHIEF AMERICAN HORSE.
OCTOBER 15TH:
SITTING BULL LEADS 400-600 WARRIORS AND ATTACKS AN ARMY ESCORT WAGON TRAIN
ON ITS WAY TO GLENDIVE TO THE CANTONMENT ON THE TONGUE RIVER (PRESENT DAY
MILES CITY).
OCTOBER 16TH:
UNDER A FLAG OF TRUCE, SITTING BULLS MEETS IN CONSUL WITH COMMANDER OF
THE U.S. ARMY ESCORT WAGON TRAIN; AND REQUESTS THAT THE ARMY REMOVE ITSELF
FROM SIOUX LAND. THE ARMY REFUSES.
OCTOBER 18TH:
COL. NELSON A. MILES WITH THE ENTIRE 5TH INFANTRY DEPARTS
TONGUE RIVER CANTONMENT TO FORCE SITTING BULL ONTO THE RESERVATION.
OCTOBER 21ST: BATTLE OF
CEDAR CREEK- COL. NELSON A. MILES PURSUES LAKOTA AND CHEYENNE IN A TWO DAY
RUNNING BATTLE NORTH OF PRESENT DAY MILES CITY. EARLIER, COL. MILES HAD
CONFERRED WITH SITTING BULL IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO PERSUADE HIM
SURRENDER.
NOVEMBER 10TH:
CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION CLOSES. OVER 8 MILLION PEOPLE VISITED.
NOVEMBER 25: COL.
RONALD MACKENZIE AND 1,100 CAVALRYMEN ATTACK CHEYENNE VILLAGE OF DULL
KNIFE, AND LITTLE WOLF ON RED FORK OF POWDER RIVER. BY SPRING MOST
CHEYENNES FACE STARVATION AND SURRENDER.
NOVEMBER 30TH:
40 LODGES OF MINNECONJOU AND SANS ARC LAKOTA SIOUX SURRENDER TO MILITARY
AUTHORITIES ON THE CHEYENNE RIVER AGENCY, IN PRESENT DAY SOUTH DAKOTA.
TELEPHONE INVENTED BY
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL.
AGREEMENT OF 1876:
REDUCES GREAT SIOUX RESERVATION. LAKOTA LOSE BLACK HILLS.
November/December: First
Lakota arrive in Canada. 109 lodges camp near Legare Trading Post at Wood
Mountain.
December 31st:
Superintendent Walsh reports to Commissioner at Fort Macleod that he had
met with the refugee Sioux and warned them to be peaceful and observe
Canadian law.
1877
Jan. 1-3: Col. Nelson A.
Miles with seven companies of Infantry, move up Tongue River in pursuit of
Cheyenne and Lakota Sioux under Crazy Horse. Skirmish results and
Cheyenne and Lakota forced to abandon winter camps and flee up Tongue
River.
JANUARY
8TH: BATTLE OF WOLF MOUNTAIN.
Col.
Miles and approximately 300 Infantrymen clash in sub-zero blizzard
conditions with Crazy Horse and his followers. Crazy Horse and his
followers withdraw after a heated battle.
APRIL 4: Fort Custer is
established near present day Hardin, Montana at the confluence of the
Little Bighorn and Bighorn Rivers to keep the peace following the defeat
of the Lakota Sioux in 1876-1877.
April 22nd:
300 Cheyennes under Two Moons, and Hump of the Minniconjou Lakota
surrender to Col. Nelson A. Miles near present day Miles City, Montana.
MAY 6: CRAZY HORSE AND
MORE THAN 1,100 FOLLOWERS, TIRED OF FIGHTING AND NEAR STARVATION,
SURRENDER TO MILITARY AUTHORITIES AT FORT ROBINSON.
SITTING BULL FLEES TO
CANADA WITH FOLLOWERS.
May 7th: Col.
Nelson Miles with four troops of Cavalry defeat band of Minniconjou Lakota
under Lame Deer and Iron Star, near present day Lame Deer, Montana.
JULY:
CUSTER AND FELLOW OFFICERS REMOVED TO CEMETERIES BACK EAST. JOHN FOUCH,
TAKES FIRST PHOTOGRAPHS OF LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD.
July 25th: General
Sherman reports from the steamer Rosebud at anchor at Fort Custer “These
Sioux Indians can never again regain this country, and they will be forced
to remain at their agencies or take refuge in the British possessions.”
SEPTEMBER 5: CRAZY HORSE
IS KILLED WHILE RESISTING ARREST AT FORT ROBINSON.
September 28th:
Spotted Tail meets with President Rutherford B. Hayes to request that
Black Robes (Franciscan priest) teach his people on the Rosebud.
OCTOBER 17: GENERAL
TERRY MEETS WITH SITTING BULL AT FORT WALSH TO NEGOTIATE HIS RETURN TO
UNITED STATES. SITTING BULL REFUSES AND REMAINS IN CANADA WITH HIS
FOLLOWERS.
CONGRESS APPROPRIATES
BLACK HILLS WITHOUT FULL CONSENT OF LAKOTA SIOUX.
October 17th:
Brig. General Alfred H. Terry and U.S. Commissioners meet with Sitting
Bull at Fort Walsh. Lakota Chiefs rebuke Commissioners and refuse to
return to the United States. Sitting Bull responds to Gen. Terry “This
part of the country does not belong to your people. You belong on the
other side; this side is ours.”
1878
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAIL
ROAD RESUMES CONSTRUCTION TO PUGET SOUND WASHINGTON.
August
29th: Spotted Tail establishes the Rosebud Agency (Spotted Tail
Agency).
September 10th:
Chief Little Wolf and Dull Knife with 300
followers flee toward Montana and Canada. Dull Knifes band is
recaptured.
October
26th: Following their capture in October, Dull Knife and
approximately 200 Cheyenne are imprisoned at Fort Robinson, Nebraska for fleeing Indian
Territory in present day Oklahoma.
Presence
of Lakota in Canada upsets Canadian Indian tribes (Cree, Assiniboine,
Saulteaux and the Blackfoot Confederacy). Canadian buffalo herds
slaughtered in large numbers by Lakota, and herd is pushed south of the
Milk River into the U.S.
Small
Lakota hunting party crosses back into the U.S., and discovers two fellow
tribesman with stolen Lakota horses. Father-in-law kills his son-in-law
over the crime.
1879
January 5th:
War Department orders Dull Knife and his band back to their reservation in
Oklahoma. Little Wolf’s band proceeds toward the Powder River, but are
forced to surrender to Col. Nelson Miles at Fort Keogh.
January 9th: Chief
Little Wolf and Dull Knife's Cheyenne flee Ft. Robinson hoping to reach
their homeland. 68 killed in escape from Jan 9-23 before recapture.
JANUARY 13TH:
RENO COURT OF INQUIRY CONVENES AT PALMER HOUSE, CHICAGO ILLINOIS. MAJOR
RENO IS LATER VINDICATED. COURT FINDS NO GROUNDS FOR MILITARY COURT
MARSHALL PROCEEDINGS ON RENO’S CONDUCT AT THE LITTLE BIGHORN.
January 29:
Custer Battlefield National Cemetery established by Sec of War.
ARMY
ERECTS CORDWOOD MONUMENT FOR 7TH CAVALRY CASUALTIES ON CUSTER
HILL, AND REBURIES CASUALTIES.
July:
Facing starvation in Canada, 200-300 lodges of Lakota Sioux leave Sitting
Bull and return to the United States.
JULY 17TH:
Col. Nelson Miles with a force of 600 soldiers and 140 Crow and Cheyenne
scouts, engage in battle with Sitting Bull and his followers near the Milk
River in Northern Montana. After a short and decisive battle, Sitting
Bull leads his people back into Canada.
1880
FORT BERTHOLD RESERVATION REDUCED TO 1.2 MILLION ACRES.
1881
February 12th:
U.S. Army increases patrols along Canadian border to curtail Indian
raids.
JULY 19TH:
SITTING BULL ARRIVES AT FT. BUFORD DAKOTA TERRITORY WITH 43 FAMILIES, AND
SURRENDERS THE FOLLOWING DAY TO MAJ. BROTHERTON.
August 5th:
Spotted Tail is killed in altercation by Crow Dog.
7TH
CAVALRY MONUMENT ERECTED ON LAST STAND HILL, 7TH CAVALRY
CASUALTIES BURIED IN MASS GRAVE.
NORTHERN
PACIFIC RAILROAD ENTERS MONTANA.
1882
CITY OF BILLINGS FOUNDED
BY NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD. POPULATION HAILED AT 119,000.
Crow
Government Agency moved to its final location at Crow Agency, MT. Crow
agree to further land cession.
April 10th:
U.S. Government prohibit Lakota traditional customs and religious
practices.
1884
NORTHERN CHEYENNE
RESERVATION CARVED FROM CROW RESERVATION.
JULY 28TH:
CROW KING, PROMINENT HUNKPAPA LAKOTA WAR LEADER AT LITTLE BIGHORN DIES AT
FORT YATES, ON THE STANDING ROCK INDIAN RESERVATION IN NORTH DAKOTA.
1885
SITTING BULL JOINS
BUFFALO BILL’S WILD WEST SHOW.
December
31st: Black Robes (Franciscan priests) arrive at Rosebud
Reservation and establish St. Francis Catholic Church and School.
1886
10TH
ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN. 7TH CAVALRY
OFFICERS MEET FORMER CHEYENNE AND LAKOTA ADVERSARIES, AND TOUR
BATTLEFIELD.
1887
DAWES
SEVERALTY ACT - U.S. GOVERNMENT DISSOLVES OLD TRIBAL ENTITIES AND DECREES THAT
INDIANS BE TREATED AS INDIVIDUALS.
ALLOTMENT ACT IS INTENDED TO MAKE FARMERS OUT OF INDIANS.
Crow
warrior leader Wraps Up His Tail and a small group of his followers lead
unsuccessful insurgency against U.S. Government because of newly imposed
laws prohibiting inter-tribal warfare and restricting Crow tribal members
to their reservation. Troops from Fort Custer quell the insurrection.
1888
Crow lead horse raid
against the Northern Cheyenne camped on the Tongue River.
Crow leader Two Leggings
recaptures horses stolen by a Lakota raiding party from Fort Peck, killing
one Lakota. This incident is believed to be the last recorded
inter-tribal conflict on the Northern Plains.
1889
MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA,
AND SOUTH DAKOTA BECOME STATES. LAKOTA SIOUX DEPRIVED OF 11 MILLION
ACRES.
AGREEMENT OF 1889: GREAT SIOUX RESERVATION BROKE UP INTO SIX RESERVATIONS:
STANDING ROCK; CHEYENNE RIVER; LOWER BRULE; CROW CREEK; ROSEBUD; AND PINE
RIDGE.
October
31st: Short Bull delivers first sermon on the Ghost Dance on
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
1890
JULY 10TH:
WYOMING TERRITORY ADMITTED INTO THE UNION AS A STATE.
NOVEMBER
20TH: PRESIDENT HARRISON, IN RESPONSE TO SOUTH DAKOTA RESIDENTS
DIRECTS THE SECRETARY OF WAR TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE GHOST DANCE
MOVEMENT.
DECEMBER 15TH: SITTING
BULL PLACED UNDER ARREST AND KILLED BY STANDING ROCK RESERVATION INDIAN
POLICE DURING GHOST DANCE UPRISING.
MOON OF POPPING TREES:
DECEMBER
29TH: WOUNDED KNEE MASSACRE: 84 LAKOTA MEN, 62 WOMEN, AND
CHILDREN ARE KILLED BY U.S. TROOPS ON WOUNDED KNEE CREEK, SOUTH DAKOTA.
CAPT.
OWEN SWEET ERECTS MARBLE MARKERS AT 7TH CAVALRY CASUALTY
SITES.
BUFFALO
IN U.S. NEARLY EXTERMINATED BY OVER HUNTING. ONCE GREAT HERDS DWINDLE TO
LESS THAN 2,000 HEAD.
WYOMING
BECOMES 44TH STATE.
STEAMBOAT TRAFFIC ENDS ON THE MISSOURI RIVER IN MONTANA.
FRONTIER
ERA ENDS AS WESTERN PLAINS BECOMES SETTLED BY EURO-AMERICAN RANCHERS AND
FARMERS.
1891
JULY 22ND:
FORT ABRAHAM LINCOLN. ESTABLISHED IN 1872 NEAR PRESENT DAY
BISMARCK/MANDAN, NORTH DAKOTA TO PROTECT THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAIL ROAD IS
ABANDONED.
1892
CROW INDIAN RESERVATION
1.8 MILLION ACRES OPENED TO SETTLERS BY PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION.
1894
SEPTEMBER 5th:
RAIN IN THE FACE, HUNKPAPA LAKOTA WARRIOR WHO FOUGHT AT THE LITTLE BIGHORN
AND SUBJECT OF LONGFELLOWS FAMOUS POEM, DIES AT OWL CREEK, SOUTH DAKOTA.
1898
April 17th:
Fort Custer located near present day Hardin at the confluence of the
Little Bighorn/Big Horn River, is abandoned.
1903
October 13th:
U.S. Government orders family names for all American Indians.
December
1st: Oglala Lakota Chief Red Cloud dies.
1916
40TH
ANNIVERSARY OBSERVANCE OF THE BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN.
1923
May 23rd:
Curly, famous Crow scout for Lt. Col. Custer during the battle, dies in
his cabin near Crow Agency, Montana.:
1924
NATIVE AMERICANS
GRANTED CITIZENSHIP AND ALLOWED TO VOTE.
1926
JUNE 25-26TH
SEMI-CENTENNIAL OBSERVANCE OF THE BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN. “BURY THE
HATCHET” CEREMONY BETWEEN BATTLE VETERANS HELD. AN ESTIMATED-----PEOPLE
ATTEND.
1928
OCTOBER 25TH:
LAND PURCHASED FOR RENO-BENTEEN BATTLEFIELD, FOR INCLUSION IN CUSTER
BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL CEMETERY (LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NM).
1936
LT. CHARLES VARNUM, CUSTER’S CHIEF OF SCOUT’S AND LAST 7TH CAVALRY OFFICER
AT LITTLE BIGHORN DIES.
1940
WAR DEPARTMENT TRANSFERS
JURISDICTION OF LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
1950
PRIVATE
CHARLES WINDOLPH, CO. H, 7TH CAVALRY, AND LAST 7TH
CAVALRY SURVIVOR OF THE BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN DIES.
1955
DEWEY
BEARD, OGLALA LAKOTA WARRIOR AND LAST WARRIOR SURVIVOR OF THE BATTLE OF
THE LITTLE BIGHORN DIES.
1973
FEB. 27: MEMBERS OF
AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT SEIZE CHURCH AT WOUNDED KNEE AND BEGIN 71 DAY
STAND OFF WITH FBI AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
1976
CENTENNIAL OBSERVANCE OF
THE BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN IS PROTESTED BY RUSSELL MEANS AND
THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT.
1980
U.S. SUPREME COURT
AWARDS EIGHT SIOUX TRIBES $105 MILLION FOR SEIZURE OF BLACK HILLS.
TRIBES REFUSE PAYMENT AND DEMAND RETURN OF BLACK HILLS.
1988
IRON PLAQUE INSTALLED ON
LAST STAND HILL BY AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT TO HONOR NATIVE AMERICAN
PARTICIPATION IN THE BATTLE.
1991
JAN. 3: Custer
Battlefield National Monument changed to Little Bighorn Battlefield
National Monument. Custer Battlefield National Cemetery changed to Custer
National Cemetery, and Indian Memorial authorized by Congress.
1999
MAY 31TH:
Cheyenne casualty marker placement of red granite markers for Lame White
Man and Noisy Walking.
November 11TH:
Indian Memorial ground breaking.
2003
June 25: Indian Memorial dedicated.
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