Horse, Crazy | Research & Encyclopedia Articles

Horse, Crazy

Born c. 1842

South Dakota

Died September 5, 1877

Fort Robinson, Nebraska

Warrior and tribal leader

"He never wanted anything but to save his people.... It does not matter where his body lies, for it is grass; but where his spirit is, it will be good to be."

Black Elk, as quoted in Crazy Horse

Oglala Sioux warrior Crazy Horse was present at every major battle in the Plains Indians' long war to retain control of their lands in the West. A quiet, distant leader, Crazy Horse was noted for his uncommon bravery. He rose to a position of leadership not only within his own tribe but within the confederacy (loose grouping) of tribes that came together in the 1860s and 1870s to combat the white advance onto Indian lands in present-day South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. Crazy Horse led his people to their greatest victory in the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. However, within a year of this victory over forces led by General George Armstrong Custer (1839–1876; see entry), the Indian forces were divided and Crazy Horse was dead.

Following a Vision

Crazy Horse's name as a child was Horse Stands in Sight, but his friends called him Curly.

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