Sioux Chief Red Cloud (circa 1890)
The image is from the 14th Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1892-93, by J. W. Powell, Director, Part 2. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1896. The description which follows summarizes the detailed information accompanying the image in the report.
Pine Ridge was the largest of the Sioux agencies, having 6,000 of the wildest and most warlike of the tribe, largely under the influence of the celebrated chief Red Cloud, the twin spirit of Sitting Bull in wily disposition and hatred of the white man.
From 1879 to 1886, this agency was in charge of Dr. V. T. McGillycuddy, a man of unflinching courage, determined will, and great executive ability. Taking charge of these Indians when they had come in fresh from the warpath, he managed them for seven years without the presence of a soldier on the reservation, and with none nearer than 60 miles. Relying on the Indians themselves, he introduced the principle of home rule by organizing a force of 50 Indian police, drilled in regular cavalry and infantry tactics. With these he was able to thwart all the mischievous schemes of Red Cloud and maintain authority.
Then came a political change of administration and a series of ruinous decisions. Out of 58 Indian agents more than 50 were removed, including McGillycuddy, and new men appointed. Some of the new appointments were for the better, but the general result was bad, owing mainly to the inexperience of the new officials. Then, more land was taken from the Sioux in spite of opposition of a large part of the tribe, especially of those under the influence of Red Cloud and Sitting Bull at Pine Ridge and Standing Rock. Finally, this was the time when the government’s patience with supporting the so-called “lazy Indians” ran out. They cut food rations in half. In April 1890, Gallagher, the agent then in charge, informed Washington that the monthly beef issue was only 205,000 pounds, whereas the treaty called for 470,400.
The 1890 growing season was a time of intense heat and low rainfall and it was clear that the land was unable to produce substantial agricultural yields. With the bison having been virtually eradicated a few years earlier, the Sioux were at risk of starvation. Agent Gallagher, finding that the dissatisfaction was growing and without remedy, resigned, and his successor took charge in October, 1890. By this time the Ghost dance was in full progress among the western Sioux and was rapidly spreading throughout the tribe.
Sioux Chief Red Cloud (circa 1890)
The image is from the 14th Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1892-93, by J. W. Powell, Director, Part 2. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1896. The description which follows summarizes the detailed information accompanying the image in the report.
Pine Ridge was the largest of the Sioux agencies, having 6,000 of the wildest and most warlike of the tribe, largely under the influence of the celebrated chief Red Cloud, the twin spirit of Sitting Bull in wily disposition and hatred of the white man.
From 1879 to 1886, this agency was in charge of Dr. V. T. McGillycuddy, a man of unflinching courage, determined will, and great executive ability. Taking charge of these Indians when they had come in fresh from the warpath, he managed them for seven years without the presence of a soldier on the reservation, and with none nearer than 60 miles. Relying on the Indians themselves, he introduced the principle of home rule by organizing a force of 50 Indian police, drilled in regular cavalry and infantry tactics. With these he was able to thwart all the mischievous schemes of Red Cloud and maintain authority.
Then came a political change of administration and a series of ruinous decisions. Out of 58 Indian agents more than 50 were removed, including McGillycuddy, and new men appointed. Some of the new appointments were for the better, but the general result was bad, owing mainly to the inexperience of the new officials. Then, more land was taken from the Sioux in spite of opposition of a large part of the tribe, especially of those under the influence of Red Cloud and Sitting Bull at Pine Ridge and Standing Rock. Finally, this was the time when the government’s patience with supporting the so-called “lazy Indians” ran out. They cut food rations in half. In April 1890, Gallagher, the agent then in charge, informed Washington that the monthly beef issue was only 205,000 pounds, whereas the treaty called for 470,400.
The 1890 growing season was a time of intense heat and low rainfall and it was clear that the land was unable to produce substantial agricultural yields. With the bison having been virtually eradicated a few years earlier, the Sioux were at risk of starvation. Agent Gallagher, finding that the dissatisfaction was growing and without remedy, resigned, and his successor took charge in October, 1890. By this time the Ghost dance was in full progress among the western Sioux and was rapidly spreading throughout the tribe.