Oglala Lakota
AKA: Iron Shield; Lone Elk; Manishee

American Horse

• at Wikipedia
• at FindaGrave.com

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Oglala Lakota
Ongloge Un Chief
Wagluhe - Loafer Band of Lakota

• The Deadwood Daily Pioneer-Times • 18 December 1908 • Page 1
• Lead Daily Call • 18 December 1908 • Page 1
• The Rapid City Daily Journal • 18 December 1908 • Page 1

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"American Horse (1840-1908) was a rising young leader among the Loafer Band of Oglala at the Red Cloud Agency during 1876 and was not with the northern or "hostile" Oglala. In fact, it was his cooperation with the U.S. Army in disarming the hostiles as they came in to Red Cloud that earned him government support. The Loafers at Red Cloud were originally under the leadership of Blue Horse (brother of Big Mouth shot by Spotted Tail at the Whetstone Agency). With the rise of American Horse's prominence among the Loafers during the Sioux War of 1876-77, as well as the rise of another Oglala named Three Bears, Blue Horse's leadership was largely eclipsed. By the time the Oglala moved to the Pine Ridge Agency in 1878, the Loafer's split into three separate bands, including one under American Horse.

According to American Horse's children as recorded in his army pension file (thanks to Tom Powers who brought this to our attention), he had five wives:

1. Red Spotted Calf, also known as Spotted Elk Woman, who he married in 1868. She died in 1889.

2. Sleep, whom he married in the fall of 1871 at the first Red Cloud Agency.

3. Josie, a sister of Sleep, whom he married about 1886. Following American Horse's death, Josie married Whirlwind Horse.

4. Goes Out Looking whom he married in 1888. They separated in 1889. His son recalled that they lived together for only eight or ten days before they separated.

5. Hard Woman, married in 1889 and separated in 1890.

When American Horse died in 1908, he was still married to Sleep and Josie.

https://www.american-tribes.com/Lakota/BIO/AmericanHorse.htm

A chief of the Oglala Lakota during the Sioux Wars of the 1870's; nephew of the elder American Horse and son-in-law of Red Cloud. His Native American name was "Wasicu Tasunke".

CHIEF AMERICAN HORSE IS DEAD.

American Horse, one of the last of the chiefs of the Oglala Sioux, died at his home in Medicine Root District, December 15th. He was without doubt the greatest politician among the Sioux and, as a warrior, was second only to Red Cloud. It was Red Cloud and American Horse who led the Sioux that killed the entire company of soldiers at the Fetterman Massacre near Fort Phil Karney in 1866 and the greatest glory, from an Indian standpoint, accrued to American Horse, for it was he who reached Captain Fetterman first after he was killed.

After 1869, American Horse enlisted as an Indian Scout. While he was at Fort Robinson in 1876, he was sent by General McKenzie, who was then in command, with orders to bring Sioux Jim, a "bad" Indian, into the post "dead or alive". He was back in a few hours driving a team, which he stopped in front of the commanding officer's quarters, and proceeded to unload Sioux Jim, or what was left of him, dead and shot full of holes. He then reported to General McKenzie that his dead Indian was outside.

During the troublesome times at Pine Ridge Agency in 1882, at the time Red Cloud was unruly and trying to show his authority and independence, and when Dr. McGuillicuddy was Agent, American Horse sided with the Agent and since that time he and Red Cloud have not been friends. Red Cloud attempted to depose him as chief in favor of Red Shirt, but the following of American Horse was too strong and influential for that.

He was 68 years old at the time of his death and was living with two wives. For political sagacity and forethought, he was perhaps farther advanced than any of his contemporary leaders. His council and good sense will be missed by the Oglalas.

Sources:

• Oglala Light, Dec. 1, 1908, US Oglala Indian Training School, Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70598526/american-horse

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American Horse (Oglala Lakota: Wašíčuŋ Tȟašúŋke in Standard Lakota Orthography) (a/k/a "American Horse the Younger") (1840 – December 16, 1908) was an Oglala Lakota chief, statesman, educator and historian.

American Horse is notable in American history as a U.S. Army Indian Scout and a progressive Oglala Lakota leader who promoted friendly associations with whites and education for his people. American Horse opposed Crazy Horse during the Great Sioux War of 1876–1877 and the Ghost Dance Movement of 1890, and was a Lakota delegate to Washington. American Horse was one of the first Wild Westers with Buffalo Bill's Wild West and a supporter of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. "His record as a councillor of his people and his policy in the new situation that confronted them was manly and consistent and he was known for his eloquence."

• American Horse - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Horse