The Battle of Little Big Horn (June 25, 1876) is the single greatest victory by a .
group of American Indians against armed forces of the United States. The American .
Indian alliance, made up of warriors from the entire Sioux nation and also Cheyenne .
braves, was led by three of the best chiefs in American History. Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, .
and Gall were fiercely committed to keeping their lifeways and traditions alive, and to .
holding on to the land that they had survived upon for many years. Crazy Horse once said, .
"A man can not sell the ground he walks upon." These three Indians were of tremendous .
importance in the Lakota's (another name for Sioux) struggle for the preservation of their .
culture. Even though they are strong historical figures, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Gall .
have not been celebrated like white leaders, such as George Washington, who have led .
their people to war. There are good stories of these Indians, stories that are more .
interesting and true than any cherry tree stories. Raised by traditions that honored their .
people and land, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Gall were prepared to perform extreme .
measures in effort to hold on to that which they held sacred.
The least recognizable name of three Indians is that of the Hunkpapa war chief, Gall. Sitting Bull chose Gall to be his military chief in the war with the United States. .
Even when Gall was young it was evident that his destiny was to be a great warrior. In a .
youth wrestling match he bested the famous Cheyenne war chief, Roman Nose. When .
Gall was three years old his mother had him being carried on the back of a dog while the .
tribe was traveling. They came upon a jack rabbit and all the dogs took off after it. After .
the rabbit had eluded many dogs it cut back towards the tribe. The dog carrying the young .
Gall was close on its heels, only now Gall was sitting up, riding the dog that would .
eventually catch the rabbit.