Wounded Knee Massacre: 7th Cavalry fires on Lakota at Wounded Knee

Background. The Ghost Dance, a ceremony incorporated into Native American belief systems, was introduced to the Lakota by Chief Kicking Bear in 1890. By that year, nearly one-third of the Lakota had adopted the new religion. Tensions rose as the U.S. government broke treaties and adjusted the Great Sioux Reservation, creating conditions that fueled the movement's spread.

Disarmament Attempt. Spotted Elk and 350 followers were met by a 7th Cavalry detachment on December 28, 1890. At daybreak on December 29, Forsyth, who commanded the 7th Cavalry during the massacre, ordered the surrender of weapons and the immediate removal of the Lakota from the zone of military operations to awaiting trains, setting the stage for the conflict.

Casualties and Aftermath. The event resulted in an armed conflict between Native Americans and the United States Army. While specific casualty figures are not detailed in the provided passages, the incident is remembered as a significant massacre. The 7th Cavalry's involvement led to controversial awards, including Medals of Honor, which remain a subject of historical debate.