Post by carlo on Nov 7, 2009 4:48:48 GMT -5
In the deep snows of March 1838, fourteen Crows on a horse-stealing mission were camped on the Shell (N.Platte) River, when a hunter from a nearby Oglala village out deer hunting discovered them. Hurrying back home with the news, the Lakota started out the following morning to intercept the Crows. Keeping to the low hills to the south of the Shell River and covered by a severe snow storm, the Lakota were able to close in on the Crows just as they were entering the Duck (Laramie) River valley. The Lakota warriors charged over the hill in the attack. The Crows, who were all on foot, didn’t have a chance.
Weakened from the cold and snow, and knowing their situation was hopeless, they decided to accept their fate. The Crows drew their blankets over their heads, dropped down into the snow and waited for the inevitable.
Red Cloud, later to become one of the most famous Oglala headmen but now not yet seventeen years old, was one of the first to arrive on the scene. Riding through the prostrate Crows he struck three of them with his bow. By not killing any of them, Red Cloud demonstrated the highest act of bravery with his coups. Right after, the advancing Lakota shot and killed all fourteen Crows where they lay.
(Paul p.40-42, Larson p.41)
Carlo
Weakened from the cold and snow, and knowing their situation was hopeless, they decided to accept their fate. The Crows drew their blankets over their heads, dropped down into the snow and waited for the inevitable.
Red Cloud, later to become one of the most famous Oglala headmen but now not yet seventeen years old, was one of the first to arrive on the scene. Riding through the prostrate Crows he struck three of them with his bow. By not killing any of them, Red Cloud demonstrated the highest act of bravery with his coups. Right after, the advancing Lakota shot and killed all fourteen Crows where they lay.
(Paul p.40-42, Larson p.41)
Carlo