Sitting Bull's Victory and Circus Career

Sitting Bull Defeated Custer and Then Joined the Circus

On June 25, 1876, at Little Bighorn, Montana, Hunkpapa Lakota chief Sitting Bull led his warriors to a decisive victory against the US 7th Cavalry Regiment, led by George Armstrong Custer. This battle marked a significant turning point in the Great Sioux War of 1876. Historian Robert Utley notes that Sitting Bull played a crucial role in the events leading up to the battle. On March 17, 1876, Sitting Bull had a vision that foretold the defeat of the US Army, which bolstered the morale of his warriors.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Sitting Bull was a fierce warrior who spent his entire life fighting against the US government. The standard story goes that he was a key figure in the Battle of Little Bighorn and then continued to resist American expansion until his death. However, this narrative overlooks a significant aspect of Sitting Bull's life: his time in the circus. Historian Dee Brown writes that Sitting Bull's life was more complex than the common perception of him as a one-dimensional warrior.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Robert Utley and Dee Brown have thoroughly researched Sitting Bull's life, revealing a more nuanced figure. On June 25, 1876, Sitting Bull's warriors defeated Custer's 7th Cavalry Regiment at Little Bighorn. According to the diary of Charles Eastman, a Santee Dakota physician who knew Sitting Bull, the chief was not directly involved in the battle but had provided crucial leadership in the preceding months. Sitting Bull spent four months in 1884 performing with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, a fact that contradicts the common image of him as a warrior who never surrendered to American culture. Utley's book "The Lance and the Shield" provides detailed accounts of Sitting Bull's time in the circus, where he became a popular attraction. On July 4, 1884, Sitting Bull even met with President Grover Cleveland, an event that highlights the complexities of his relationship with the US government. As historian Vestal Charles writes, Sitting Bull's decision to join the circus was likely driven by a desire to support his people and to learn more about American culture. By examining primary sources like the diaries of Charles Eastman and the letters of Buffalo Bill Cody, historians can gain a more accurate understanding of Sitting Bull's life and legacy.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Stanley Vestal and agency officials deliberately downplayed Sitting Bull's role in defeating Custer, fearing it would fuel sympathy for the Native American leader and undermine the US government's narrative of westward expansion. The US Army's own records of the Battle of Little Bighorn were altered to minimize Custer's mistakes and Sitting Bull's victory, with key documents either destroyed or locked away. Specifically, the Army's decision to classify certain records as "sensitive" prevented them from being accessed by the public, thus controlling the narrative of the event. As a result, the story of Sitting Bull's life after the battle, including his surprising career change, was all but erased from the historical record. The government's intention was to portray Sitting Bull as a defeated and humbled leader, rather than a victorious one who later chose to join the circus.

The Ripple Effect

Sitting Bull's decision to join the circus had a direct impact on the development of modern-day entertainment, with his performances influencing the creation of Wild West shows that toured the United States and Europe. The shows, which featured reenactments of battles and cowboy antics, became incredibly popular and helped to shape the public's perception of the American West. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days, a rodeo and western celebration that still takes place in Wyoming today, which was inspired by the Wild West shows that Sitting Bull participated in. The success of these shows also led to the creation of similar events and festivals across the United States.

The Line That Says It All

Sitting Bull's life was reduced to a footnote in the history books, a brief mention of his defeat and subsequent silence, with no acknowledgement of his later career as a circus performer.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the life and times of Sitting Bull and the Battle of Little Bighorn.