Lakota Leader Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : March 16, 2025

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Who is Crazy Horse?

Crazy Horse, known as Tashunka Witco, was a prominent Oglala Sioux chief, born around 1840 near present-day Rapid Springs, South Dakota. He emerged as a fierce protector of his people's way of life during a tumultuous period marked by growing tensions between Native Americans and white settlers. Renowned for his uncompromising spirit, Crazy Horse fought valiantly against the U.S. government’s initiatives to remove the Lakota from their ancestral lands, particularly in the Black Hills. He played pivotal roles in several key battles, earning a reputation for his strategic brilliance and mystical ability to evade harm on the battlefield.

Among his most notable achievements was his leadership during the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, where he united forces with Chief Sitting Bull to achieve a significant victory over General George Custer and his Seventh Cavalry. This victory was a defining moment for Native American resistance against U.S. military forces. However, following subsequent military reprisals, Crazy Horse faced increasing challenges. Ultimately, he surrendered in 1877 and met a tragic end at Fort Robinson, where he was mortally wounded during a confrontation with soldiers. His legacy endures as a symbol of Native American resilience and the struggle to protect cultural heritage.

Early Life and Education

Crazy Horse, originally named Tashunka Witco, was born around 1840 near present-day Rapid Springs, South Dakota. He was a member of the Oglala Sioux tribe and exhibited distinct physical characteristics that set him apart from his peers—fair skin and curly brown hair. This unique appearance may have played a role in his somewhat isolated personality, as he gravitated towards solitude even among his own people. His early years took place during a period of strength for the Lakota, who possessed vast lands stretching from the Missouri River to the Big Horn Mountains, allowing Crazy Horse to grow up steeped in the traditions and values of a proud warrior culture.

In the mid-1850s, the encroachment of white settlers began to disrupt the life of the Lakota people, marking the beginning of significant change. As tensions rose, Crazy Horse’s early exposure to conflict—highlighted by events like the Grattan Massacre—shaped his views on the expanding presence of white settlers and the increasing competition for resources. The social climate around him, filled with distrust and conflict, fired his determination to protect his people's way of life. Although formal education was not a part of his upbringing, the lessons of leadership, resilience, and cultural pride were instilled in him from a young age, ultimately crafting him into the storied leader known for his defiance against U.S. expansionism.

The Fetterman Massacre and Major Battles

Crazy Horse played a pivotal role in key conflicts during the height of tensions between the Lakota Sioux and the United States government. One of his most significant achievements was the Fetterman Massacre in December 1866. In this engagement, Crazy Horse led a brilliant ambush against Captain William J. Fetterman and his men, resulting in the death of Fetterman and his brigade of 80 soldiers. This unexpected victory not only shocked the U.S. military but also galvanized the Lakota people, reinforcing Crazy Horse's status as a fierce protector of his people and their way of life. His ability to strategize and execute successful attacks marked him as a notable military leader among Native American warriors.

In the years following the Fetterman Massacre, Crazy Horse remained a central figure during the escalating conflicts between the Lakota and U.S. forces. The signing of the Fort Laramie Treaty in 1868 seemed to promise peace, granting the Lakota control over the Black Hills, but the discovery of gold in the region led to further encroachments by settlers and the government. Refusing to comply with U.S. demands, Crazy Horse allied with Chief Sitting Bull, leading a united force to confront American troops. The culminating moment of Crazy Horse's military career came during the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876, where he, alongside Sitting Bull, delivered a stunning defeat to General Custer, solidifying his legacy as a formidable leader.

The Battle of the Little Bighorn

The Battle of the Little Bighorn, fought on June 25, 1876, remains one of the most significant conflicts between Native Americans and the United States Army. Following the discovery of gold in the sacred Black Hills, the U.S. government pressured the Lakota Sioux, led primarily by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, to leave their ancestral lands. With considerable resistance from these leaders, tensions escalated, culminating in the assembly of an impressive force of about 2,000 Lakota and Cheyenne warriors to confront an encroaching U.S. military led by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, who underestimated the united strength of the Native American forces.

Under the leadership of Crazy Horse, the Native American warriors executed a well-coordinated surprise attack against Custer and his Seventh Cavalry. The strategy was a critical turning point, overwhelming the soldiers and resulting in a devastating defeat for Custer, who lost his life along with more than 200 of his men. This battle is often viewed as a symbolic victory for the Native American tribes and is celebrated for its demonstration of their fierce determination to protect their lands and way of life against colonial forces. Crazy Horse's tactical brilliance during this encounter solidified his legacy as a pivotal figure in Native American history.

The Death of Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse, the renowned Oglala Sioux leader, faced an inevitable shift in the tides of battle against U.S. forces by 1877. Following the monumental victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the U.S. Army launched a relentless pursuit of the Lakota, employing a scorched-earth policy aimed at breaking their spirits and forcing total surrender. As fellow leader Sitting Bull sought refuge in Canada, Crazy Horse continued the fight to defend his people's way of life. However, the harsh winter brought dire conditions, and dwindling food supplies led to the desertion of many of his followers, forcing him to reconsider his defiance against the powerful U.S. military.

On May 6, 1877, Crazy Horse made the difficult decision to surrender at Fort Robinson in Nebraska, hoping to protect his remaining followers from further suffering. Despite being instructed to remain on the reservation, he sought to care for his ailing wife, which led to his arrest. Tragically, during a confrontation with military officers, Crazy Horse suffered a fatal injury when he was bayoneted in the kidneys. He died on September 5, 1877, with his father at his side, marking the untimely end of a visionary leader dedicated to preserving the Lakota traditions and way of life for future generations. His legacy endures as a symbol of resistance and resilience among Native Americans.

Personal Life: Married Life and Children

Crazy Horse was fiercely committed to both his people and his family. He married a Lakota woman named Fish Hawk, who was his primary partner throughout his life. They shared a deep bond, and Crazy Horse often sought her support and counsel in the face of relentless pressures from external forces. Together, they had several children; however, the specifics of their family life remain largely undocumented due to Crazy Horse's preference for privacy and his refusal to be photographed or conform to Western traditions. His relationship with Fish Hawk was characterized by mutual respect and shared values, further solidifying Crazy Horse's dedication to preserving their Lakota culture.

Tragedy struck in the form of personal loss when Fish Hawk, experienced complications during childbirth and tragically died in 1870. This death profoundly affected Crazy Horse, highlighting the emotional toll of his life as a warrior and leader. Despite the grief, Crazy Horse continued to fight for his people’s rights and preserve their way of life. The loss may have contributed to his growing sense of isolation and the fierce determination to protect his community’s future, underlining the sacrifices made in both his personal life and broader struggles against encroachment by settlers and the U.S. government.

Net Worth and Earning: Salary

Estimating the net worth and earnings of Crazy Horse, the prominent Oglala Sioux chief, poses a challenge due to the historical context and lack of precise financial records concerning Native American leaders in the 19th century. Crazy Horse was primarily a warrior and a leader who dedicated his life to fighting for his people’s rights and preserving their way of life rather than amassing wealth in the conventional sense. At that time, the concept of wealth differed significantly from today, as assets like money and property were less emphasized for Native tribes who traditionally focused on communal resources and cultural heritage.

Crazy Horse's income, if one could quantify it, would derive almost exclusively from his status among the Lakota people and the efforts of the Sioux against encroaching settlers and U.S. military forces. His leadership in significant battles, including the Battle of Little Bighorn, showcased his importance, yet it was not tied to a financial compensation system. Instead, his legacy transformed into a symbol of resistance and was honored by future generations, leading to memorials and cultural projects such as the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota. Today, his contributions are celebrated, but they reflect a profound commitment to tribal identity over personal material gain.