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===Western wars===

===Western wars===

The most famous wars--in literature and film--came in the western states after 1840. The most famous opponents were the [[Sioux]] on the northern plains,. The most famous battle was [[Custer's Last Stand]] in 1876.  The wars ended in 1890 with the [[Wounded Knee Massacre]].

The most famous wars--in literature and film--came in the western states after 1840. The most famous opponents were the [[Sioux]] on the northern plains,. The most famous battle was [[Custer's Last Stand]] in 1876.  The wars ended in 1890 with the [[Wounded Knee Massacre]].

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, especially when fighting the Sioux. 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>

The Army systematically attempted to end Apache raiding parties in the Guadalupe Mountain region of West Texas and southern New Mexico from 1855 to 1883. Irish and German immigrants of the 3d Cavalry and 8th Infantry, along with black "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 9th and 10th Cavalry regiments, scouted the area's rough terrain in search of Apache raiding parties. The military anticipated forcing the hostiles onto a reservation at Fort Stanton, New Mexico, and away from American settlers attempting to establish permanent homesteads in the region. Although some Apaches agreed to live on the reservation, food shortages led many Indians to follow their leader Victorio back into the Guadalupe Mountains in 1879 and renew their raids on ranches and stagecoaches. District commander Colonel Benjamin Grierson of the 10th Cavalry established subposts from which he deployed troops to intercept Indian raiding parties. In October 1880, Colonel Joaquim Terrezas reported killing 79 Apaches including Victorio, after which Indian resistance to white occupation in the mountain region quickly faded.

==Morality of the Indian Wars ==

==Morality of the Indian Wars ==