From the earliest encounters between the Lakota and the Whiteman, keeping the Oregon Trail safe for travelers was of utmost concern. 

In 1851 due to the pressures brought on by the gold rush, the Fort Laramie treaty was signed.  The treaty granted the Lakota much of the northwest plains and annual payments in food and supplies if they were to allow safe passage to travelers following the Platte River.

Not comprehending the reasons why the Americans placed such importance on the trail it became known as the Holy Road.

It was in August of 1854 as the tribes peacefully waited for their annuities near Fort Laramie that our story begins. 

I jumped on my pony and rode through the clouds of foul smelling black smoke and fire and whirring cannon balls to lift up Little Mouse

Straight Foretop lifted his rifle and fired and Grattan fell.  Spotted Tail whooped and a hundred warriors shot a flood of arrows into the soldiers at the wagon guns.  With lances and war clubs they charged like a buffalo herd trampling the solders into the ground, grabbing their guns and swinging them like clubs on the rest.

More warriors than you could count came from every direction, crying wap whoops, kicking thier ponies, leaning forward, waving lances, clubs and axes.  As Little Mouse and I galloped for the Oglala camp was saw a few solders get away.  They tried to stand and fight but there were soon dead.

Warriors jumped off ponies swinging axes

and war clubs until all the soldiers lay on the ground naked and bloody.  They jumped back on their ponies, standing high in the stirrups as they races in a whooping circle waving blue coats, pants, soldier guns, black boots and scalps.

We were too young to ride with warriors but our blood rose and we too circles and whooped, singing war songs.  My brother, He Dog, saw us and joined in the victory parade.

All over an old cow with bleeding feet.