Touch the Clouds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Touch the Clouds |
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| Minneconjou headman | |
By James H. Hamilton, taken at the Spotted Tail Agency, Nebraska, in the fall of 1877
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| Successor | Amos Charging First |
| Born | c. 1838 Great Sioux Nation |
| Died | September 5, 1905 (aged 66–67) Cheyenne Riverside Indian Reservation, South Dakota |
| Spouse | Spotted on the Ground |
| Father | Lone Horn |
| Mother | Stands on the Ground |
Touch the Clouds (Lakota: Maȟpíya Ičáȟtagya or Maȟpíya Íyapat'o) was a brave and wise leader of the Miniconjou Lakota (also known as Sioux). He was born around 1838 and passed away on September 5, 1905. Known for his great strength and skill in battle, he was also a talented diplomat. He was the youngest son of Lone Horn, a respected chief, and brother to Spotted Elk. Some people believe he was a cousin to the famous warrior Crazy Horse.
Touch the Clouds became a leader in 1875 after his father died. He led his group, called the Wakpokinyan band, during a difficult time known as the Great Sioux War of 1876. After the famous Battle of the Little Bighorn, he moved his band north. He later surrendered at the Spotted Tail Agency and even joined the Indian Scouts. After being present when Crazy Horse died, Touch the Clouds and his band moved back to the Cheyenne River Agency.
He became one of the main leaders of the Minneconjou at the Cheyenne River Agency in 1881. He remained a chief until his death in 1905. His son, Amos Charging First, then took over as the new chief.
Becoming a Leader
Touch the Clouds was born between 1837 and 1839. He was the youngest son of Lone Horn, a very important leader of the Minneconjou. His father's band was called the Wakpokinyan, which means "Flies Along the Stream."
Touch the Clouds was famous for being very tall and strong. His name, "Touch the Clouds," came from his impressive height. Lieutenant Henry R. Lemly met him in 1877 and said he was "magnificent." He stood six feet five inches tall and weighed 280 pounds, without any extra weight.
By the time he was in his thirties, Touch the Clouds had earned a lot of respect. He was chosen to lead one of the tribe's warrior societies. In this role, he often led groups of warriors against enemy tribes. For example, in 1872, he led a group to capture horses. When they found out the Crow tribe was much larger, he wisely decided to turn back.
During this time, more and more European-Americans were moving onto the Great Plains. This caused disagreements among the Lakota bands about what to do. Touch the Clouds and part of his band decided to go to the Cheyenne River Agency. Another part of the band, led by Lame Deer, chose to stay out. Lone Horn, Touch the Clouds's father, worked hard to keep peace between the different Minneconjou groups. After Lone Horn died in 1875, Touch the Clouds took on this important leadership role. This happened just as the U.S. Army began fighting the Cheyenne and Lakota bands who had not signed treaties.
Great Sioux War of 1876–77
At the start of the Great Sioux War of 1876, Touch the Clouds and his band stayed at the Cheyenne River Agency. After news arrived about Custer's defeat at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Touch the Clouds spoke to army officers. He asked them to "Have compassion on us. Don't punish us all because some of us fought when we had to."
The army thought that the agency bands were helping the "hostiles." So, they planned to take away the Lakota's weapons and horses. In late September 1876, Touch the Clouds suspected the army's plans. He led many Minneconjou and Sans Arc people away from the agency. They left their belongings behind in their quick escape north.
These groups, including Touch the Clouds, Spotted Elk, and other leaders, brought a more peaceful approach to the northern villages. In October 1876, the combined Lakota forces fought troops near the Tongue River. After Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull left with their bands, the Minneconjou leaders met with Colonel Nelson A. Miles to talk about surrendering.
By February 1877, Touch the Clouds was camped near the Little Missouri River with about 60 or 70 lodges (tipis). Here, he met the famous Brulé leader, Spotted Tail. After five days of talks, Touch the Clouds agreed to take his band to surrender at the Spotted Tail Agency in Nebraska. They arrived on April 14, 1877. Touch the Clouds was the first to come forward. He announced, "I lay down this gun as a token of submission to Gen. Crook, to whom I wish to surrender."
For the next few months, Touch the Clouds and the Minneconjou lived peacefully at the Spotted Tail agency. Louis Bordeaux, an interpreter there, described Touch the Clouds as "an honorable and peaceable Indian." He said Touch the Clouds was "a very fine man" who worked for peace. The army convinced him to join the Indian Scouts. Touch the Clouds served as a first sergeant.
However, Touch the Clouds's relationship with the army changed in late August 1877. He and Crazy Horse were asked to lead scouts north to fight Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce. Four days later, the army tried to arrest Crazy Horse. Crazy Horse escaped to the Spotted Tail Agency. Touch the Clouds went with his friend back to Camp Robinson. There, Crazy Horse was sadly killed when soldiers tried to force him into a guardhouse. Touch the Clouds was allowed to stay with Crazy Horse that night until he died. Placing his hand on Crazy Horse's chest, Touch the Clouds said, "It is good: he has looked for death, and it has come." The next month, Touch the Clouds traveled to Washington, D.C. as a delegate.
In October 1877, the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail Agencies were moved to the Missouri River. During this time, Touch the Clouds and his band joined the Oglala. Many of the northern bands who had surrendered earlier left to join Sitting Bull in Canada. Touch the Clouds was able to keep most of his band calm and prevent them from leaving. He asked that they be moved back home to the Cheyenne River Agency. Dr. James Irwin, the agent at Red Cloud, supported this move. He noted that Touch the Clouds had been "very obedient and orderly" during his stay.
Life on the Cheyenne River Reservation
Touch the Clouds and his band finally returned to the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota in February 1878. He lived there for the rest of his life. By the spring of 1882, all the remaining Minneconjou bands had returned to Cheyenne River. This brought the tribe together for the first time in many years. By this time, only three of the six traditional leaders were still alive. In 1882, the Minneconjou chose new leaders to fill these spots. Touch the Clouds was confirmed as a "shirt wearer," taking his late father's place. Other new leaders included White Bull and White Swan. At the ceremony, the new leaders sang a song: "It is hard to be chief; But I do my best to be a chief."
In 1898, Touch the Clouds went to Omaha, Nebraska, for a big event called the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. There, he was photographed by Frank A. Rinehart.
Touch the Clouds continued to speak up for his people for the rest of his life. In 1884, a reverend named Addison Foster visited the Cheyenne River Reservation. After a church service, Touch the Clouds stayed behind. He said he understood the importance of this "new way" and wished for schools and churches for his people. He passed away on September 5, 1905, near the Cherry Creek River in South Dakota.
Touch the Clouds was married at least twice. He had several daughters and at least one son. His oldest son, Amos Charging First, became a community leader after his father. He continued the line of Minneconjou leaders that began with the great Lone Horn.
