What was Wounded Knee?
October 1890: The Ghost Dance Religion begins to gain popularity with the Lakota Sioux. The Ghost Dance was a hope to return to the “old ways.” Its followers felt the dance could bring back ancestors and the buffalo. December 12, 1890: U.S. Army leaders mistakenly believe Chief Sitting Bull is responsible for the Ghost Dance movement and issued an order for his capture. Army leaders fear the religion will cause an uprising. General Nelson A. Miles assembles an army of more than 5,000 to handle the area. Hearing of the warrant for Sitting Bull’s arrest, Buffalo Bill Cody, a confidant of Sitting Bull, volunteers to facilitate the arrest, to ensure Sitting Bull’s safety. He is rebuffed by the Standing Rock Indian Agent, James McLaughlin. December 15, 1890: During an attempt to arrest him, Chief Sitting Bull is killed at his camp, along with 13 others. Hearing of Chief Sitting Bull’s death, and fearing forceful retaliation against all Ghost Dance practitioners, Chief Big Foot and his band
