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The Wounded Knee Massacre
Following the tragic events at Standing Rock, Chief Big Foot's band arranged to meet with Chief Red Cloud's band. His band and 38 refugees from Sitting Bull's band left on the path to Red Cloud's camp in the Pine Ridge area. On Christmas night they heard Christmas carols coming from the Wounded Knee church. Big Foot sent a women to the door of the church to ask if the young children and the elders could warm themselves by the fire. Though the open door the could see a beautifully decorated church. They were turned away, called "outlaws" by the preacher. They continued, but their pace was slow.
Big Foot became sick, so riders were sent to the military encampment near-by. The lead rider carried a white-flag to show their peaceful intentions. They were told to camp along the side of Wounded Knee creak. A doctor came and saw Big Foot, who was diagnosed with pneumonia. The soldiers moved in around the camp and passed out rations. The soldiers became drunk, and starting questioning the soldiers about the Battle of the Little Big Horn. In the morning, they were awakened by a bugle. The soldiers gathered up all the men into the middle of the camp for "talks". They searched the camp and took all the weapons the found.
-soldiers inside of the camp
Soldiers lined up on the north and south sides of the camp, and a cannon was aimed in the center of the camp. They all loaded and fired in unison. The Native Americans had nothing to do but to run and hide. Some tried to reach the captured weapons but were quickly cut down. Everyone in the center of the camp, including soldiers, were killed in the crossfire. Some women tried to lead the elders and children to the peace flag that was originally used by the riders. They were all killed. Almost every Native American in the camp was killed that night. Those who were wounded and tried to escape faced temperatures of forty degrees below zero.
-Chief Big Foot's body.
The soldiers who "fought" at Wounded Knee were all given the Congressional Medal of Honor.
