Indian Wars

Apache and Navajo Wars (1861-1886)

• Apache – AZ, NM, and CO territories

• Navajo – NM and CO territories

• Geronimo

• Col. Christopher

“Kit” Carson

• Carson kills or relocates many Apache to reservations in 1862.

• Clashes drag on until Geronimo surrenders in 1886.

• Navajo surrender in 1863, but Carson attacks before and kills hundreds, destroys homeland.

• Navajo move to NM reservation in 1865.

Sand Creek Massacre (1864)

• Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho – Central

Plains

• Black Kettle

• Col. John Chivington

• Cheyenne massacres prompt Chivington to kill up to 500 surrendered Cheyenne and Arapaho led by Black Kettle.

Red River War (1874-1875)

• Comanche and Southern branches of Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Arapaho – Southern Plains

• Comanche War parties

• Gen. William T. Sherman

• Lt. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan

• Southern Plains Indians relocated to OK Indian Territory in 1867.

• Comanche warriors raced to TX to kill hunters who had destroyed their food supply.

• Sherman and Sheridan defeat warriors and open land for ranching.

Battle of Little Bighorn (1876)

• Sioux of the Northern Plains – Dakota, WY, and MT territories (Black Hills Region)

• Sitting Bull

• Crazy Horse

• Lt. Col. George A. Custer

• US Govt. tries to buy gold-rich Black Hills from Sioux.

• Talks fail and Custer’s 7th Calvary sent to round up the Sioux.

• Troops meet up with large number of Sioux.

• Custer and 200 men killed in “Custer’s Last Stand.”

Nez Perce War (1877)

• Nez Perce –

ID, WA, and OR

Territories

• Chief Joseph

• Gen. Nelson Miles

• Gen. Oliver O.

Howard

• Nez Perce makes stand to hold land and not move to ID reservation.

• Chief Joseph leads families, warriors of tribe (apprx. 700 people) for 1800 miles.

• Surrendered after some battles and moved to reservation in WA Territory.

Battle of Wounded Knee (1890)

• Sioux Reservation in South Dakota (Pine Ridge Reservation)

• Sitting Bull• US 7th Calvary

• Ghost Dance raises fears of Sioux uprisings.

• Sitting Bull killed in an attempted arrest.

• His followers surrender and camp at Wounded Knee.

• Shots are fired; some 200 – 300 Sioux die (women and children included).