Crazy Horse Killed: Sioux Chief Dies in Custody
Crazy Horse was bayoneted by Private William Gentles at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, on September 5, 1877, while two soldiers held his arms. He was 36. Crazy Horse had been the most successful military leader the Lakota ever produced, leading the decoy charge at the Fetterman Fight in 1866 and commanding the warriors who destroyed Custer's command at the Little Bighorn in 1876. He surrendered in May 1877 with roughly 900 followers, the last major group of free Sioux. Rumors that he was planning to escape led to his arrest. He resisted when he saw the prison cells. In the struggle, the bayonet pierced his kidney. He died that night. No authenticated photograph of him exists. His burial site has never been confirmed.
September 5, 1877
149 years ago
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United States
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Nebraska
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Indian Wars
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Crazy Horse
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tribal chief
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Oglala Lakota
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Fort Robinson
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American Indian Wars
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American Indian Wars
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Oglala
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Tribal chief
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Crazy Horse
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Bayonet
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Fort Robinson
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Nebraska
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