Ghost Dance War

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Ghost Dance War
Part of the Sioux Wars
"Map of the country embraced in the campaign against the Sioux Indians Messiah War" (1905)
Date December 29, 1890 – January 15, 1891 Location South Dakota Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Miniconjou Lakota Hunkpapa Lakota
Commanders and leaders
Nelson A. Miles James McLaughlin James W. Forsyth	Spotted Elk † Sitting Bull † Kicking Bear Short Bull
Casualties and losses
c. 25–50 killed 39 wounded	c. 300 killed 51 wounded
Native American losses include civilian casualties.

The Ghost Dance War was the military reaction of the United States government against the spread of the Ghost Dance movement on Lakota Sioux reservations in 1890 and 1891. The U.S. Army designation for this conflict was Pine Ridge Campaign.^[1] White settlers called it the Messiah War.^[2][3] Lakota Sioux reservations were occupied by the U.S. Army, causing fear, confusion, and resistance among the Lakota. It resulted in the Wounded Knee Massacre wherein the 7th Cavalry killed over 250 Lakota, primarily unarmed women, children, and elders, at Wounded Knee on December 29, 1890. The end of the Ghost Dance War is usually dated January 15, 1891, when Lakota Ghost-Dancing leader Kicking Bear decided to meet with US officials. However, the U.S. government continued to use the threat of violence to suppress the Ghost Dance at Lakota reservations Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock.