Army Memo about the Ghost Dance
11/24/1890
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Asst. Adjt. Genl. R. Williams sent this note to the military officers at the Pine Ridge Reservation on November 24, 1890, conveying the Army's stance that "the ghost dances should not be disturbed for the present nor anything be done to precipitate a conflict," but that they should wait to determine what measures would be necessary "when the troops are all concentrated [and] ready for action."
During the late 1800s, a new religious movement called the Ghost Dance had arisen and spread throughout Sioux Country in the Plains. It began with a Paiute holy man named Wavoka, who had a vision of a world in which ancestors would come back from the dead, along with the buffalo, and life would return to what it was like before European arrival. Wavoka taught that frequent performance of a circle dance, that came to be called the Ghost Dance, would hasten the process.
Many White settlers who lived near reservations were scared of this new movement and dance, and incorrectly characterized it as a war dance when they saw people congregating. The Government Indian agent in charge of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota requested additional military protection and the Army sent large numbers of troops.
After Chief Sitting Bull was killed by police at Standing Rock Reservation on December 15, 1890, tensions rose considerably. Chief Big Foot led a large group, including many of Sitting Bull's followers, from Standing Rock to Pine Ridge because they were concerned about the increased military presence there.
The group was intercepted by the Seventh Cavalry. They surrendered and were escorted to Wounded Knee Creek, where they were detained under force. As their weapons were being confiscated the next day, a gun was fired and the soldiers began shooting. Hundreds of men, women, and children, many unarmed, were killed on December 29, 1890. This came to be known as the Wounded Knee Massacre.
During the late 1800s, a new religious movement called the Ghost Dance had arisen and spread throughout Sioux Country in the Plains. It began with a Paiute holy man named Wavoka, who had a vision of a world in which ancestors would come back from the dead, along with the buffalo, and life would return to what it was like before European arrival. Wavoka taught that frequent performance of a circle dance, that came to be called the Ghost Dance, would hasten the process.
Many White settlers who lived near reservations were scared of this new movement and dance, and incorrectly characterized it as a war dance when they saw people congregating. The Government Indian agent in charge of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota requested additional military protection and the Army sent large numbers of troops.
After Chief Sitting Bull was killed by police at Standing Rock Reservation on December 15, 1890, tensions rose considerably. Chief Big Foot led a large group, including many of Sitting Bull's followers, from Standing Rock to Pine Ridge because they were concerned about the increased military presence there.
The group was intercepted by the Seventh Cavalry. They surrendered and were escorted to Wounded Knee Creek, where they were detained under force. As their weapons were being confiscated the next day, a gun was fired and the soldiers began shooting. Hundreds of men, women, and children, many unarmed, were killed on December 29, 1890. This came to be known as the Wounded Knee Massacre.
Transcript
Rec 24 MC S 93 Paid GovtPine Ridge Agcy SF 422 Nov 24 [O?]
Chicago 24 Via Rushville
Genl Jno R. Brooke. Comdg D.P.
Major General Comdg the army is of opinion that the ghost dances should not be disturbed for the present nor anything be done to precipitate a conflict and that when the troops are all concentrated
Ready for action it can be Better
(2)
-- judged of the measures that -
-- may be necessary and advisable
--This opinion has been already anticipated by the Divn Commander In his instructions previously sent to you by Command of Major Genl Miles --
R. Williams
Asst Adjt. Genl
This primary source comes from the Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
National Archives Identifier: 285039
Full Citation: Ghost Dances; 11/24/1890; Correspondence Between Military Officers Regarding Wounded Knee Tragedy; Records of Controversies, 1878 - 12/28/1907; Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives at Kansas City, Kansas City, MO. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/ghost-dances, March 17, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.