The protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline continued this week, with Native Americans making a stand in North Dakota, and several being arrested. Their protest stems from their dismay that the pipeline is being routed through lands that are sacred to them, and that it will destroy graves and native artifacts. Further, they are concerned with environmental issues, especially concerning water sources in the area. According to news reports, law enforcement has been using pepper spray, rubber bullets, and - incredibly - water cannons in freezing temperatures. A spokesman for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe calls this an escalation of violence that could seriously hurt someone. Reading the articles and watching the accompanying videos, I was reminded of the nearby battle of 150 years ago when the forefathers of these same Sioux stood against the United States government.
While the 1860s are more commonly associated with U.S. troops in the Confederate States, federal troops were also out west, subduing the native tribes in an effort to clear land for white settlers and keeping open trade routes. Undoubtedly, the Indians were not equipped to fight the U.S. troops.
The largest expedition ever carried out against the Indians was the one in which Brigadier General Alfred Sully led U.S. Army troops against the Sioux in July 1864. This expedition included 4,000 troopers - well-armed with repeating rifles, pistols, and cannons - marching against warriors armed primarily with bow and arrow. Worse for the Indians, their group also included women and children. As you'd expect, things went terribly for the natives, and they were overrun and chased from their land at the Battle of Killdeer Mountain. With a terrible touch of vengeance the U.S. troops destroyed tipis and jerky needed for the winter, and then killed thousands of dogs. Worse, they allowed the killing of Sioux children by a rival tribe.
A couple years ago I took the opportunity to visit that battleground, which is as distant and remote as it is sad. From Bismarck it's about a two and a half hour drive to the northwest, and is situated among oil fields and farmland. The actual battle was a push toward Killdeer Mountain, with the Sioux abandoning the fight, and escaping to the badlands. My video is raw, but does give you an idea of the terrain, and of the hopelessness that they must have felt as they ran. Today there's an acre plot of land that officially recognizes the battlefield, a gift to North Dakota from a local farmer in the 1930s. That plot includes the graves of two soldiers killed during the battle.
One of the saddest things regarding this expedition is that the U.S. Army was chasing and killing Sioux who had done nothing to them. They were after the wrong people. I'm not informed well enough to make a decision as to who's right in the pipeline fight that's happening today, but I admit that I hope some consideration will be given before this type of response to the Sioux continues to escalate. They deserve that much.
California seceding? It wouldn't be the first time...
Battleground Travel. Powered by Blogger.
Retreat, Hell!
I've long been fascinated by military quotes, feeling that there's usually a life lesson in there somewhere. Could there be anything...
We’ve finally arrived at the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, one of the most famous battles in French or English history. Many...
First appearing in 1867 as part of "Mrs. Louise Clack's Christmas Gift To Her Little Southern Friends", this wartime exchange...
I bet you've never heard this story!
The best way to experience a museum is to listen to the stories that the objects are telling, to look beyond the "stuff", to hear ...
Today (October 8, 2018) is the 100th anniversary of one of the most extraordinary feats of battlefield courage, that being the actions of Co...
I travel a lot, and this past week I was in Louisville, Kentucky. As I was catching up on the news, a small tag line scrolled along the bott...
As the New Year of 2018 rolls in, I'm working late with the television on, reminding me of childhood days when it was a challenge to sta...
A friend called me a couple weeks ago. Her best friend’s dad had passed away, and that friend was considering selling some things her fathe...
I want to take a moment to thank Enterprise car rental and Chase Visa USA for their help with a recent problem. A couple months ago my Ent...
I felt extremely honored tonight as the winner of the Janice Keck Literary award for non-fiction. This has been an exciting process, first w...
