On December 29, 1890  alongside Wounded Knee Creek on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota the US 7th Cavalry Regiment.  The Lakota were following Chief Spotted Elk of the Miniconjou Lakota nation who had been called to the Pine Ridge Agency.  The 7th Cavalry Regiment had met them part way and escorted the Lakota to Wounded Knee Creek to make camp.  After reinforcements for the 7th cavalry arrived they encircled the Lakota and placed 4 rapid-fire Hotchkiss-designed M1875 Mountain Guns around the perimeter.  After making camp the cavalry began to disarm the Lakota and while accounts vary as to the circumstances it is agreed that a gun was discharged and over the next half hour 150-300 Lakota men, women and children were killed including Chief Spotted Elk.

Chief Spotted Elk

Chief Spotted Elk (Lakota: Uŋpȟáŋ Glešká)

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