Red Cloud (Lakota: Makhpyia-luta), (1822 – December 10, 1909) was a war leader of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux). One of the most capable enemies the American military ever faced, he led the successful war in 1866–1868 (known as Red Cloud's War) against the United States over control of the Powder River Country in northwestern Wyoming and southern Montana.

Early life

Red Cloud was born close to the forks of the Platte River by the modern-day city of North Platte, Nebraska. His mother was an Oglala and his father was a Brulé. Red Cloud was partly raised by his maternal uncle, Chief Smoke. At a young age, he fought against neighboring Pawnee and Crow, gaining much military experience.

Campaign against the United States

In 1866, he began the most successful war an Indian nation ever waged against the U.S. military (see Red Cloud's War). The U.S. Army was constructing forts along the Bozeman Trail straight through Lakota territory of modern-day Wyoming to Montana gold country from South Platte River in Colorado. Settlers and miners started across Lakota land, and Red Cloud saw visions of the expulsion of the Lakota from Minnesota in 1862, and in 1863 Red Cloud attacked.

Red Cloud attained spectacular victories. The government was forced into the Treaty of Fort Laramie . The United States had to abandon all forts on the Bozeman Trail and give the Lakota possession of what is now the Western half of South Dakota, including the Black Hills, and much of Montana and Wyoming.

A short-term peace

But peace only lasted until the American military re-formed. In 1874, general George Armstrong Custer attacked Red Cloud. Red Cloud did not take part in the Lakota war of 1876-1877 with Crazy Horse Tasunka witko, Sitting Bull Tatanka Iyotake, and other war leaders.

His last days

Red Cloud continued fighting for the freedom of his people, even after being defeated. Later at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, he fought Indian agents including Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy and some of the Pine Ridge natives. He opposed the Dawes Act.

He was never part of the Ghost Dance movement.

External links

• Red Cloud on the Encyclopedia of North American Indians
• PBS on Red Cloud

1822 births | 1909 deaths | Native American leaders | Lakota tribe | People from Nebraska

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