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Indians allies proved essential to the U.S. Army 1860-90. The auxiliaries were used reluctantly by American commanders, were treated cavalierly as a rule, and were often persuaded to serve with a combination of threats and promises. Despite shabby treatment, Indian scouts were acknowledged as crucial to the pacification of the Plains tribes by American commanders. Without Indian help, the "hostiles" would not have been subdued or even found by the American military. The [[Crow]] tribe provided most of the scouts, as they used the Army to fight their historic enemy the [[Sioux]].
Indians allies proved essential to the U.S. Army 1860-90. The auxiliaries were used reluctantly by American commanders, were treated cavalierly as a rule, and were often persuaded to serve with a combination of threats and promises. Despite shabby treatment, Indian scouts were acknowledged as crucial to the pacification of the Plains tribes by American commanders. Without Indian help, the "hostiles" would not have been subdued or even found by the American military. The [[Crow]] tribe provided most of the scouts, as they used the Army to fight their historic enemy the [[Sioux]].
During the last few months of the Great Sioux War (1876-77) on the northern Plains, [[Crazy Horse]] worked hard to keep the coalition of western Sioux bands and Cheyenne together. His efforts were ably opposed by peaceful Sioux leaders based on Indian agencies and by General Nelson Miles, who planned to scatter and isolate the various bands. Although some in the coalition opted for escape into Canada, most did not. What they feared most was to have their arms and horses confiscated by the army if they returned to the reservations. As the coalition dissolved, Crazy Horse was unsure what strategy to follow and spent time seeking the 'vision of guidance.' Ultimately, he surrendered his leadership to Red Cloud and accepted the primacy of the agency Oglalas' tribal organization.<ref> Kingsley M. Bray, "Crazy Horse and the End of the Great Sioux War," ''Nebraska History'' 1998 79(3): 94-115 </ref>
==Morality of the Indian Wars ==
==Morality of the Indian Wars ==