Morning Star, also known as Dull Knife, was a prominent Cheyenne leader in the 19th century who fought to protect the cultural traditions and lands of his people from the encroachment of white settlers. Born in 1810, Morning Star witnessed the rapid and often violent transformation of the American West, from the Indian Wars of the 1860s and 1870s to the forced relocation of indigenous peoples to reservations. Despite immense challenges, Morning Star remained a steadfast advocate for the rights of his people, leading them in a series of battles, migrations, and exoduses that left a lasting imprint on the history of the American West. This biography explores the life and times of Morning Star, highlighting his cultural background, military campaigns, and enduring legacy as a leader in the struggle for indigenous rights.
1. Early Life and Cultural Background of Morning Star (Dull Knife)
1.1. Cheyenne Culture and Traditions
Morning Star, also known as Dull Knife, was born in 1810 in present-day Wyoming. He was a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, which was known for its bravery in battle and its deep reverence for its cultural traditions. The Cheyenne people were known for their skilled horsemanship, hunting, and warrior culture. They maintained a strong connection to the land and animals, which were integral to their way of life.
1.2. Family and Early Life
Morning Star grew up in a traditional Cheyenne family and eventually became a respected leader within his tribe. He had several wives and children, and was known for his kindness, wisdom, and bravery in battle. He was also a skilled hunter and horseman, and his prowess in these areas earned him great admiration within his community.
2. Battle of Washita and Forced Relocation to Indian Territory
2.1. The Battle of Washita and its Aftermath
In 1868, Morning Star and his people experienced a devastating defeat at the hands of the United States Army in the Battle of Washita. Many Cheyenne, including women and children, were killed, while others were taken prisoner. The aftermath of the battle was a turning point in Morning Star's life and the lives of the Cheyenne people.
2.2. The Forced Relocation to Indian Territory
After the Battle of Washita, Morning Star and his people were forced to relocate to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) as part of the US government's efforts to remove Native Americans from lands coveted by white settlers. This relocation caused great hardship for the Cheyenne, who were forced to adapt to a new environment and struggled to maintain their traditional way of life.
3. Resistance and Flight from Indian Territory
3.1. The Red River War
In 1874, Morning Star and his people joined other Plains tribes in the Red River War, a conflict with the US Army over control of the southern Great Plains. The Cheyenne fought fiercely, but were ultimately defeated, and many were forced to surrender and return to Indian Territory.
3.2. Flight to the Northern Plains
Following their defeat in the Red River War, Morning Star and a group of followers fled to the northern Plains in search of a new home. They faced many challenges, including harsh weather, attacks from hostile tribes, and a lack of resources, but Morning Star's leadership and resilience helped them persevere.
4. The Cheyenne Exodus of 1878
4.1. Causes and Motivations for the Exodus
In 1878, Morning Star and his people participated in the Cheyenne Exodus, a mass migration of Northern Cheyenne and Oglala Sioux from Indian Territory to their ancestral homelands in Montana. The Exodus was motivated by a desire to return to their traditional way of life, and to escape the hardships and injustices they faced in Indian Territory.
4.2. The Journey and its Challenges
The journey to Montana was long and treacherous, and the Cheyenne faced many challenges along the way, including hunger, disease, and attacks from hostile tribes and US Army forces. Despite these challenges, Morning Star and his people persevered, and eventually reached their destination in Montana, where they were able to rebuild their lives and renew their connection to their cultural traditions.
5. Life in Exile and Return to Indian Territory
5.1. Life Among the Oglala and Brulé Sioux
After the defeat of Morning Star's (Dull Knife) Northern Cheyenne tribe at the Battle of the Rosebud in 1876, they fled to seek refuge with fellow Native American tribes. For several years, Morning Star and his people lived among the Oglala and Brulé Sioux in their reservations in what is now South Dakota. During this time, Morning Star became acquainted with Sioux leaders, such as Red Cloud, and learned about their culture and traditions. However, he continued to long for his homeland and the Northern Cheyenne way of life.
5.2. The Return to Indian Territory
In 1878, Morning Star and his followers left the Sioux reservations and embarked on a journey to return to their ancestral lands in present-day Montana. The journey was difficult, and they faced starvation, disease, and attacks from hostile tribes along the way. After months of struggle, Morning Star and his people finally reached their destination. However, they were met with hostility from the U.S. government and forced to relocate to Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma.
6. Later Years and Legacy of Morning Star (Dull Knife)
6.1. Later Years
Morning Star and his people faced difficult conditions in Indian Territory, and many of them succumbed to disease and starvation. However, Morning Star remained resilient and continued to advocate for his people's rights until his death in 1883. He was buried in a location that was kept secret from the U.S. authorities to prevent desecration of his remains.
6.2. The Legacy of Morning Star (Dull Knife)
Morning Star's legacy lives on as a symbol of resistance against the oppression of Native American peoples. His leadership and determination inspired others to fight for their rights, and his story continues to be remembered and celebrated by the Northern Cheyenne and other Indigenous communities.
7. Historical Significance of Morning Star's Fight for Indigenous Rights
7.1. Morning Star's Influence on the Fight for Indigenous Rights
Morning Star's struggle against the U.S. government and his advocacy for the rights of his people paved the way for future Indigenous leaders, such as Red Cloud and Sitting Bull. He also inspired later Native American activism, such as the Occupation of Alcatraz and the American Indian Movement.
7.2. Contemporary Significance of Morning Star's Legacy
Morning Star's legacy continues to be relevant today, as Native American communities continue to fight for their rights and sovereignty. His story serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples in the face of adversity, and the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition.In the end, the story of Morning Star serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for indigenous rights and recognition in modern America. His courage and leadership continue to inspire Native American communities across the country, and his legacy serves as a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of indigenous peoples in the face of adversity.
FAQ
Who was Morning Star (Dull Knife)?
Morning Star, also known as Dull Knife, was a prominent Cheyenne leader in the 19th century who fought to protect the cultural traditions and lands of his people from the encroachment of white settlers.
What were some of Morning Star's major accomplishments?
Morning Star led his people in a series of battles, migrations, and exoduses that left a lasting imprint on the history of the American West. He played a key role in the Cheyenne Exodus of 1878 and his legacy continues to inspire indigenous communities across the country.
What was Morning Star's legacy?
Morning Star's legacy as a leader in the struggle for indigenous rights endures to this day. His courage and leadership continue to inspire Native American communities, and his story serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for indigenous rights and recognition in modern America.
Why is Morning Star's story important?
Morning Star's story is important because it sheds light on the challenges faced by Native American communities in the 19th century, as well as the ongoing struggle for indigenous rights and recognition in modern America. His legacy serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of indigenous peoples in the face of adversity.
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The life of Dull Knife, the Cheyenne, is a true hero tale. Simple, child-like yet manful, and devoid of selfish aims, or love of gain, he is a pattern for heroes of any race. Dull Knife was a chief of the old school. Among all the Indians of the plains, nothing counts save proven worth. A man's caliber is measured by his courage, unselfishness and intelligence.
Many writers confuse history with fiction, but in Indian history their women and old men and even children witness the main events, and not being absorbed in daily papers and magazines, these events are rehearsed over and over with few variations. Though orally preserved, their accounts are therefore accurate. But they have seldom been willing to give reliable information to strangers, especially when asked and paid for.
Racial prejudice naturally enters into the account writers, while one is likely to favor his own race. readers may think that I have idealized the Indian.
Therefore I will confess now that we have too many weak and unprincipled men among us. When I speak of the Indian hero, I do not forget the mongrel in spirit, false to the ideals of his people. Our trustfulness has been our weakness, and when the vices of civilization were added to our own, we fell heavily.
It is said that Dull Knife as a boy was resourceful and self-reliant. He was only nine years old when his family was separated from the rest of the tribe while on a buffalo hunt. His father was away and his mother busy, and he was playing with his little sister on the banks of a stream, when a large herd of buffalo swept down upon them on a stampede for water.
His mother climbed a tree, but the little boy led his sister into an old beaver house whose entrance was above water, and here they remained in shelter until the buffalo passed and they were found by their distracted parents.
Dull Knife was quite a youth when his tribe was caught one winter in a region devoid of game, and threatened with starvation. The situation was made worse by heavy storms, but he secured help and led a relief party a hundred and fifty miles, carrying bales of dried buffalo meat on pack horses. Another exploit that made him dear to his people occurred in battle, when his brother-in-law was severely wounded and left lying where no one on either side dared to approach him.
As soon as Dull Knife heard of it he got on a fresh horse, and made so daring a charge that others joined him; thus under cover of their fire he rescued his brother-in-law, and in so doing was wounded twice.
The Sioux knew him as a man of high type, perhaps not so brilliant as Roman
Nose and Two Moon, but surpassing both in honesty and simplicity, as well as in his war record. (Two Moon, in fact, was never a leader of his people, and became distinguished only in wars with the whites during the period of revolt.)
A story is told of an ancestor of the same name that illustrates well the spirit of the age. It was the custom in those days for the older men to walk ahead of the moving caravan and decide upon all halts and camping places.
One day the councilors came to a grove of wild cherries covered with ripe fruit, and they stopped at once. Suddenly a grizzly charged from the thicket. The men yelped and hooted, but the bear was not to be bluffed. He knocked down the first warrior who dared to face him and dragged his victim into the bushes. The whole caravan was in the wildest excitement.
Several of the swiftest-footed warriors charged the bear, to bring him out into the open, while the women and dogs made all the noise they could.
The bear accepted the challenge, and as he did so, the man whom they had supposed dead came running from the opposite end of the thicket. The Indians were delighted, and especially so when in the midst of their cheers, the man stopped running for his life and began to sing a Brave Heart song as he approached the grove with his butcher knife in his hand. He would dare his enemy again!
The grizzly met him with a tremendous rush, and they went down together. Instantly the bear began to utter cries of distress, and at the same time the knife flashed, and he rolled over dead. The warrior was too quick for the animal; he first bit his sensitive nose to distract his attention, and then used the knife to stab him to the heart.
He fought many battles with knives thereafter and claimed that the spirit of the bear gave him success. On one occasion, however, the enemy had a strong buffalo-hide shield which the Cheyenne bear fighter could not pierce through, and he was wounded; nevertheless he managed to dispatch his foe. It was from this incident that he received the name of Dull Knife, which was handed down to his descendant.
As is well known, the Northern Cheyennes uncompromisingly supported the Sioux in their desperate defense of the Black Hills and Big Horn country. Why not? It was their last buffalo region -- their subsistence. It was what our wheat fields are to a civilized nation.
About the year 1875, a propaganda was started for confining all the Indians upon reservations, where they would be practically interned or imprisoned, regardless of their possessions and rights.
The men who were the strongest advocates of the scheme generally wanted the
Indians' property -- the one main cause back of all Indian wars.
From the warlike Apaches to the peaceful Nez Perces, all the tribes of the plains were hunted from place to place; then the government resorted to peace negotiations, but always with an army at hand to coerce.
Once disarmed and helpless, they were to be taken under military guard to the Indian Territory. A few resisted, and declared they would fight to the death rather than go.
Among these were the Sioux, but nearly all the smaller tribes were deported against their wishes. Of course those Indians who came from a mountainous and cold country suffered severely. The moist heat and malaria decimated the exiles.
Chief Joseph of the Nez Perces and Chief Standing Bear of the Poncas appealed to the people of the United States, and finally succeeded in having their bands or the remnant of them returned to their own part of the country. Dull Knife was not successful in his plea, and the story of his flight is one of poignant interest.
He was regarded by the authorities as a dangerous man, and with his depleted band was taken to the Indian Territory without his consent in 1876. When he realized that his people were dying like sheep, he was deeply moved. He called them together.
Every man and woman declared that they would rather die in their own country than stay there longer, and they resolved to flee to their northern homes. Here again was displayed the genius of these people. From the Indian Territory to
Dakota is no short dash for freedom.
They knew what they were facing. Their line of flight lay through a settled country and they would be closely pursued by the army. No sooner had they started than the telegraph wires sang one song: "The panther of the Cheyennes is at large.
Not a child or a woman in Kansas or Nebraska is safe." Yet they evaded all the pursuing and intercepting troops and reached their native soil. The strain was terrible, the hardship great, and Dull Knife, like Joseph, was remarkable for his self-restraint in sparing those who came within his power on the way. But fate was against him, for there were those looking for blood money who betrayed him when he thought he was among friends.
His people were tired out and famished when they were surrounded and taken to
Fort Robinson. There the men were put in prison, and their wives guarded in camp. They were allowed to visit their men on certain days.
Many of them had lost everything; there were but a few who had even one child left. They were heartbroken. These despairing women appealed to their husbands to die fighting: their liberty was gone, their homes broken up, and only slavery and gradual extinction in sight.
At last Dull Knife listened. He said: "I have lived my life. I am ready." The others agreed. "If our women are willing to die with us, who is there to say no? If we are to do the deeds of men, it rests with you women to bring us our weapons.
As they had been allowed to carry moccasins and other things to the men, so they contrived to take in some guns and knives under this disguise. The plan was to kill the sentinels and run to the nearest natural trench, there to make their last stand. The women and children were to join them.
This arrangement was carried out. Not every brave had a gun, but all had agreed to die together. They fought till their small store of ammunition was exhausted, then exposed their broad chests for a target, and the mothers even held up their little ones to be shot. Thus died the fighting Cheyennes and their dauntless leader.