American Horse (elder)
Encyclopedia
American Horse was a minor headman of the Oglala Lakota
during the Plains Indian wars of the last half of the nineteenth century. More commonly known as Iron Plume, he was probably present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn
and was mortally wounded at the Battle of Slim Buttes
. He was fifth son of the old Chief Smoke (1774–1864).
Following the native victory over General George Armstrong Custer
at the Little Bighorn
in June 1876, the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne moved eastward where by early fall, many were encamped in the area of the Little Missouri River. A small group of about forty lodges, including minor headmen such as Roman Nose, Red Horse and Iron Plume, separated from the main villages and moved near Slim Buttes, South Dakota, apparently intending to quietly slip in to the Cheyenne River Agency to surrender. Unfortunately, they were discovered by a party of troops under Captain Anson Mills
, an advance party of General George Crook
's column, and attacked.
During the battle, Iron Plume, four warriors, and fifteen women were backed into a cave, but refused to surrender. During the shooting, Iron Plume was mortally wounded by a shot through his bowels. After the battle, he was treated by an army surgeon, but little could be done for him and he died later that night.
Scout Frank Grouard
identified the wounded man as American Horse, though later Lakota corrected his error, noting that the minor Indian headman was named Iron Plume. This has resulted in considerable confusion by later historians. Many have misidentified him as the Oglala American Horse
and have even used portraits of him to represent Iron Plume. George Hyde, historian and author, incorrectly listed him as American Horse the elder, to distinguish him from the younger Oglala by the same name. Contrary to Hyde's writing, these two men were not related. he was an Indian chief.
Oglala Lakota
The Oglala Lakota or Oglala Sioux are one of the seven subtribes of the Lakota people; along with the Nakota and Dakota, they make up the Great Sioux Nation. A majority of the Oglala live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the eighth-largest Native American reservation in the...
during the Plains Indian wars of the last half of the nineteenth century. More commonly known as Iron Plume, he was probably present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn
Battle of the Little Bighorn
The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Indians involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army...
and was mortally wounded at the Battle of Slim Buttes
Battle of Slim Buttes
The Battle of Slim Buttes was fought on September 9–10, 1876, in the Great Sioux Reservation between the United States Army and Miniconjou Sioux during the Great Sioux War of 1876...
. He was fifth son of the old Chief Smoke (1774–1864).
Following the native victory over General George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
at the Little Bighorn
Little Bighorn
Little Bighorn may refer to:* Little Bighorn River, a tributary of the Bighorn River in Wyoming and Montana* Battle of the Little Bighorn, took place near the river in 1876...
in June 1876, the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne moved eastward where by early fall, many were encamped in the area of the Little Missouri River. A small group of about forty lodges, including minor headmen such as Roman Nose, Red Horse and Iron Plume, separated from the main villages and moved near Slim Buttes, South Dakota, apparently intending to quietly slip in to the Cheyenne River Agency to surrender. Unfortunately, they were discovered by a party of troops under Captain Anson Mills
Anson Mills
Anson Mills was a United States Army officer, surveyor, inventor, and entrepreneur. Engaged in south Texas as a land surveyor and civil engineer, he both named and laid out the city of El Paso, Texas...
, an advance party of General George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
's column, and attacked.
During the battle, Iron Plume, four warriors, and fifteen women were backed into a cave, but refused to surrender. During the shooting, Iron Plume was mortally wounded by a shot through his bowels. After the battle, he was treated by an army surgeon, but little could be done for him and he died later that night.
Scout Frank Grouard
Frank Grouard
Frank Grouard was a Scout and interpreter for General George Crook during the American Indian War of 1876.-Early years:...
identified the wounded man as American Horse, though later Lakota corrected his error, noting that the minor Indian headman was named Iron Plume. This has resulted in considerable confusion by later historians. Many have misidentified him as the Oglala American Horse
American Horse
Wašíčuŋ Tȟašúŋke or American Horse was a chieftain of the Oglala Lakota during the Sioux Wars of the 1870s. He was also the nephew of the elder American Horse and son-in-law of Red Cloud....
and have even used portraits of him to represent Iron Plume. George Hyde, historian and author, incorrectly listed him as American Horse the elder, to distinguish him from the younger Oglala by the same name. Contrary to Hyde's writing, these two men were not related. he was an Indian chief.