Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse was born between 1840 and 1845 in present-day South Dakota. He was said to be born the year that the Oglala (his tribe), stole a hundred horses, and as the Lakota were at the peak of their power. He was said to be fair skinned with curly hair, which set him apart from other boys his age and might have been the reason why he was quiet and lonesome. Crazy Horse was still young during The Grattan Massacre of 1854, where 30 white men including Lt. Grattan were massacred after killing Chief Conquering Bear. This was one of the important events for Crazy Horse that established a lifetime of wariness against whites. Prior to his military victories, Crazy Horse was said to have received a black stone from a medicine man called Horn Chips. This sacred stone was made to protect him from firearms, and throughout his entire military career, Crazy Horse wasn't wounded by a single bullet. After fighting numerous wars against other Indian tribes, Crazy Horse earned his title as a warrior in the many battles he fought against whites. One of the most important ones being the Fetterman Massacre of 1868, where almost a hundred white men including Captain Fetterman were lead to an ambush by Crazy Horse and completely decimated. This was an important victory for the Lakota and an embarrassment for the U.S. Army. Perhaps the most important victory was at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull fought against Lt. Custer and his Seventh Cavalry, which was known as the greatest Native American victory over the U.S. Army. Despite the clear impending victory of the U.S. Army, Crazy Horse kept on fighting until he was forced to surrender and was arrested in 1877. He then died shortly after from a bayonet wound when he tried to escape on September 5th, 1877. Crazy Horse is remembered for his bravery and as a symbol of resistance against the invasion of the U.S.