Red Cloud’s War (1866-68)

• Red Cloud was a respected chief of the Lakota Sioux tribe. He chose to fight the government because they wouldn’t stop gold prospectors using the Bozeman Trail, which went through the tribe’s hunting grounds. He was also supported by two other leaders, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.
• Event 1

  The Lakota Sioux attacked soldiers and forts. There were around 3000 Indians against 700 US soldiers.
• Event 2

  Fetterman’s Trap: In December 1866, a group of 80 men led by Capt. William Fetterman were led into a trap and killed.
• Event 3

  The Lakota Sioux surrounded Fort Phil Kearny, trapping soldiers inside and stopping people using the Bozeman Trail.
• Event 4

  The government realised that their old approaches were not working. The second Fort Laramie Treaty was signed in 1868.