Red Cloud's distinction as a leader had already been increased by encounters with and victories over Pawnees, Crows, Shoshones and Kiowas from time to time. He now became the fighting chief of the Ogallala Sioux, and was the main leader in the wars of 1864 to 1869. It was he who planned and executed the Fetterman massacre, in which Captain Fetterman and ninety-six of his command were ambushed and left dead on the stark and barren Massacre Hill, near Old Piney.

Jed Cloud's Daughter, Fort Laramie, Wyoming

he states the Sioux worsted their ancient enemies the Kiowas. This battle, he asserts, gave the creek its name. No details of the battle have I ever been able to obtain.

At sixteen years of age, the young brave who was born on the banks of the Blue Water, went out with a war party, and because of his achievements in a fight where the sun shone red upon him, he was named Red Cloud.

One can imagine the impetuous youth of sixteen, with the love of color and action, and indifference to consequence, riding like a whirlwind, silhouetted against the golden red of the sunset sky, and his sire seeing in him the Red Cloud of Destiny, prophetically cried out, "Marpiya Luta, Marpiya Luta." Ah! that was a name for an Indian.

At twenty-five Red Cloud had a difficulty

Red Cloud was war chief, but Spotted Tail was his opposite by nature.

Spotted Tail, whose Indian name was Sin-taga-las-ca, spelled variously from Sentegaleska to Shantagolisk, came up from the ranks, and attained the greatest distinction recorded in the annals of red men. He was born near Fort Laramie in 1833, or a year or so before the first rude stockade was built.