A Native American Chief Explains the Source of Indian-Settler Conflict

Red Cloud, an Oglala Lakota chief, led a two year war against white settlers and railroad outposts between 1866 and 1868. Red Cloud's War, sometimes called the Powder River War, took place in parts of the Wyoming and Montana territories that were the traditional homelands of Lakota, Arapaho and Cheyenne peoples. Spotted Tail, who refrained from the fight, was asked to explain to federal agents and military leaders the reasons for Red Cloud's war in 1867.

The Great Father has made [railroads] stretching east and west. Those roads are the cause of all our troubles... The county where we live is overrun by whites. All our game is gone. This is the cause of the great trouble. I have been a friend of the whites and am now... If you stop your roads we can get our game... My friends, help us; take pity on us.