December 29, 1890 – the massacre at Wounded Knee. The band of Chief Big Foot was attacked by the 7th Cavalry. Reports indicate that between 150 and 300 Lakota were killed – many of them women and children. The shooting began either as or after the Lakota were disarmed.
December 26, 1862 – in the largest mass execution in U.S. history, 38 Dakota were hanged in Mankato, Minnesota. The U.S.-Dakota war, as it is named, began in August 1862 fueled by hunger and broken promises. When the fighting ended, the Dakota people were driven from Minnesota. 392 Dakota were tried, 303 were sentenced to death, and 16 were given prison terms. President Lincoln reviewed the transcripts and reduced the number of death sentences to 39. One man received a reprieve at the last minute.
Remember.
See you along the Trail.
Along the Graybeard Trail 