Red Cloud, Oglala Sioux

"If the great father kept white men out of my country, peace would last forever. But if they disturb me, there will be no peace. I mean to keep this land."

Red Cloud was one of the first Oglala war chiefs to fight the whites after they came into Sioux territory illegally. He successfully led his people against the invading US armies. After many years of broken treaties, Red Cloud refused to accept any more treaties, until the US army had abandonded its forts in Sioux territory, and closed the Bozeman trail that crossed their land. William T. Sherman accepted Red Cloud's conditions, and ordered the close of the trail, and the forts along it.

Red Cloud was one of the few Native American leaders that won major battles, and negotiated treaties that resulted in much of what they demanded. His reputation as a war leader and politition among his people and the US government grew.

He fought under the direction of Sitting Bull at the Battle of Little Big Horn and defeated Custer's army. Later, Red Cloud angered Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse when he signed a treaty giving up the Black Hills of Dakota. He toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show in 1885.