|
Early
Conflicts War of 1823
A part of a national policy to show Indian nations the strength
of the United States, the government requested that tribal people
be brought to the east as representatives of their nations.
In some cases, it was an effort on the part of the explorers
and traders to show case their discoveries. The result of this
policy can be seen with the incident at Leavenworth.
The incident began when explorers Lewis and Clark negotiated
the trip that sent the Sahnish village chief, Ankedoucharo (Eagle
Feather) to Washington, D.C. where he died. There was
no explanation of how and why he died. Lewis and Clark,
fearing the wrath of the Sahnish, did not tell them until a
year later. When the Sahnish found out about his death,
they became rightfully angry. President Thomas Jefferson
tried to appease the Sahnish with the following eulogy: He (Chief
Ankedoucharo) consented to go towards the sea as far as Baltimore
and Philadelphia. He said the chief found nothing but
kindness and good will wherever he went, but on his return to
Washington he became ill. Everything we could do to help
him was done but it pleased the Great Spirit to take him from
among us. We buried him among our own deceased friends
and relations. We shed many tears over his grave.
(Delegates in Buckskins). The President's explanation did not
impress the Sahnish.
For the next twenty years they were hostile to white people.
The inexplicable death of their chief was the major reason for
their so-called belligerence. The most notable of these hostilities
was in the 1823 battle where the Sahnish took revenge for the
death of their chief on General Ashley and his men who were
coming up the river from St. Louis. The Sahnish killed
several men, took some of their goods, and set their boats adrift
in the river. The attack angered the white military forces
and they set out with soldiers, artillery, cannons and 800 to
900 Sioux for Leavenworth to "teach the Arikara (Sahnish)
a lesson." (Leavenworth Journal). The Sahnish had fortified
their villages well. The Sioux were first into the battle,
and when they met the Sahnish, they both lost lives. The Sioux,
fearing Leavenworth was losing the battle met with the Sahnish.
It was presumed they wanted to join the Sahnish. They then left
the battle taking with them corn and other crops of the Sahnish
leaving Leavenworth's forces to their own tactics. The
Sahnish were surrounded by the United States military who lobbed
cannonballs and other artillery into the village of men, women,
and children. The Sahnish, realizing they were outnumbered
and at risk, began negotiating for surrender. Before the
battle could be settled, every man, woman, child, horse, and
dog disappeared during the night.
According to a traditional story told among the people, a sacred
dog led the people under the river and to safety. This time
in history was a turning point in the relations between the
Sahnish and whites. Prior to this battle, traders and travelers
had described the disposition of the Sahnish towards the whites
as "friendly." After this war, there were reports
of hostilities and murders on both sides. The result of the
Leaven worth battle infuriated the traders who further antagonized
the Sahnish worsening the already deteriorating relationship
between the Sahnish and the whites.
Please click
here to go back to the History Section.
|
|
| |
email us |
Phone: 701-627-3503
Three Affiliated Tribes, 404 Frontage Road, New Town, North Dakota,
58763
Copyright ® 2004-2006 Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation.
|
|
