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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 29, 2011 9:40:56 GMT -5
Wounded Knee: Party Politics and the Road to an American Massacre by Heather Cox Richardson gets my highest recommendation. If you like Laura Hillenbrand's writing ("Seabiscuit," "Unbroken"), this book should flow along fast for you. If you also bring an interest in the late 19th century Plains Indian Wars, it will be that much more compelling. This is the most detailed account of the Wounded Knee massacre that I've read to date. While there is plenty of attention to the details of what happened at Wounded Knee, and the immediate events that led up to it, the book focuses heavily on the politics of the era and the cynical, self-serving politicians and special interests that were calling the tune in Washington. President Benjamin Harrison (grandson of President William Henry Harrison) does not come off well here, to put it mildly, and his administration makes Grant's look like a model of propriety. His desperate attempts to hold on to power by virtually rigging the number of senators and representatives in Congress. It all backfired on the Harrison team in the end, as the Farmers Alliance gained strength in the west when reality set in and people began to realize how badly they'd been manipulated by politicians. The Sioux and other tribes are caught up in this nightmare as their land became a key prize in the game, with Wounded Kneed the tragic coda.
Well worth reading and considering. The author is a good writer, who has used a combination of original and secondary sources (including material like Utley's and Vestal's bios of Sitting Bull).
Allen
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Mar 29, 2011 11:29:00 GMT -5
This sounds like a fascinating read, Allen. Wounded Knee, which as you and probably most members here know, is on the Pine Ridge Rez, is an American tragedy on many levels. It sounds like Heather Cox Richardson comes at this story from a whole different angle than has been considered in other works on the subject.
Thanks for the tip about this book.
Paul
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 29, 2011 14:05:24 GMT -5
Paul - this is the first time I've ever read the political context of U.S. Indian policy in the Dakotas at that time. It is similar to Gray's opening in "Centennial Campaign," but far more extensive and detailed. I know that you have a real interest in this and you will be glad you read this book, if you get the chance. One of her great lines is that President Benjamin Harrison has been largely forgotten by history, which is a far better fate than he deserves.
Allen
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 29, 2011 14:10:21 GMT -5
Just to clarify - Gray was discussing the Grant administration prior to the 1876 Plains Wars; Richardson is talking about the Harrison administration in 1890-92 and puts the Plains events of that time in political context. Not that there's a lot of difference in Washington's attitude (and I don't mean George; ). Hope it's all clear now! Allen
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Mar 29, 2011 19:34:39 GMT -5
I've always been struck by the irony that it was the remnants of a reconstructed 7th Cavalry that was involved with the Wounded Knee Massacre.
BTW, one of my friends in Maine is Minneconjou Lakota Sioux, which makes him a direct descendant of survivors of Black Foot's band. It was Black Foot and his people who were fired on by the 7th at Wounded Knee. He is the subject of a song I wrote and recorded titled "Longbow". Quite a legacy, indeed.
Paul
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 29, 2011 19:59:11 GMT -5
I believe there is a website that includes a list of songs written about Wounded Knee, including Buffey St. Marie's song; there were a lot more of them than I realized.
After Wounded Knee, some 7th Cavalry men were overheard saying they'd been happy to get even for Custer. There was little outcry about it at the time and most Americans had no use for Indians. Yellow Journalism was rampant regarding the Indians, especially the Sioux and other Dakota bands. Wounded Knee was written up as a great, heroic victory by brave soldiers who had battled dangerous, deceptive Indians who had attacked them. Not only was the whole thing a cynical ploy by Washington politicians, it was handled badly on the scene by an inept commander with poorly trained, inexperienced soldiers. The theory is that most U.S. casualties were from friendly fire, as the commander had stationed his men in a square, or circle, thus when the firing started, they were firing at each other as well as the Indians. Nonetheless, and despite General Miles being furious and demanding an inquiry, the commander (Forsyth) was exonerated and remained commander of the 7th; Miles lost credibility for bucking the brass. There's nothing about this story that isn't ugly, except for the fact that, despite all the government's efforts, the Sioux and their culture were not destroyed.
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Post by Kevin Young on Mar 30, 2011 21:16:32 GMT -5
Looks like a must read book. Among the Yellow Journalists contributing to the hysteria and calling for the extermenation of the Indians was the Aberdeen, SD Saturday Pioneer editor-Frank Baum (who would later author The Wizard of Oz). And if I remember right there were 20 Medals of Honor awarded to mostly members of the 7th Cav for Wounded Knee...
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 30, 2011 21:44:18 GMT -5
Correct on both counts, Kevin (Baum and the Medals of Honor); both are discussed in this book. I regard it as a must read for anyone interested in these events.
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