2.
How it Really Happened
“Indians are dancing in
the snow and are wild
and crazy…We need
protection and we need it
now. The leaders should
be arrested and confined
at some military post
until the matter is
quieted, and this should
be done now.”
Sitting Bull killed on
12/15
Big Foot was next to be
arrested
3.
On the Run
Big Foot headed towards
Pine Ridge for protection
December 29, 1890
120 men
230 women and children
At Wounded Knee Creek
Big Foot and 350
followers
Surrounded by army—
arrest Big Foot
4.
What’s Real?
Big Foot was dying of
pneumonia.
A medicine man did dance the
dance.
“I have lived long enough”
Willing to fight until death
“Do not fear, but let your hearts
be strong. Many soldiers are
about us and have many bullets,
but I am assured their bullets
cannot penetrate us. The prairie
is large, and their bullets will fly
over the prairies and will not
come toward us. IF they do come
toward us, they will float away
like dust in the air.”
Col. Forsyth told the man to sit—
he refused
5.
What’s Real?
All Sioux were
searched for weapons
Found only two
One belonged to Black
Coyote—the deaf man
He struggled to keep
his gun
Shots rang out and they
fired into the camp as
well
6.
The Toll
153 dead
Big Foot dead
Many wounded
crawled off to die alone
As many as 350 men,
women and children
were killed
25 dead soldiers and 39
wounded (many by
their own shrapnel)