Hump (Miniconjou Sioux chief)
Hump, also known as High Backbone, was a prominent chief of the Miniconjou Sioux tribe in the 19th century. His early life remains largely undocumented, including details about his parentage or birth. Hump gained significant recognition in 1866 for his leadership during the Fetterman Massacre, where he and his warriors killed Captain William Fetterman along with eighty soldiers outside Fort Kearney, Wyoming. He was a key figure in resisting U.S. expansion, notably refusing to sign the Treaty of Fort Laramie and aligning himself with notable Sioux leaders such as Crazy Horse and Red Cloud.
As a distinguished warrior, Hump fought in major conflicts, including the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876 and the Wagon Box Fight. Following his surrender in 1877, he joined Sitting Bull in Canada but later returned to the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. Hump played a crucial role in the Ghost Dance movement in 1890, leading his followers to safety to avoid the violence that ensued at Wounded Knee Creek. He later traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the rights of the Sioux people. Hump passed away in 1908 in Cherry Creek, South Dakota, leaving behind a legacy of resistance and leadership among his people.
Hump (Miniconjou Sioux chief)
- Born: c. 1848
- Birthplace: Near Bear Butte, Western South Dakota
- Died: December 1, 1908
- Place of death: Cherry Creek, South Dakota
Category: Chief
Tribal affiliation: Miniconjou Sioux
Significance: An important leader in the Sioux Wars of the 1860’s and 1870’s, Hump later became a Ghost Dancer; in 1890, he went to Washington, D.C., on behalf of his people
Little is known about Hump’s parentage, date of birth, or early life. He gained prominence in 1866 leading the attack known as the Fetterman massacre that killed Captain William Fetterman and eighty soldiers outside Fort Kearney in Wyoming. Refusing to sign the Treaty of Fort Laramie, he joined Crazy Horse, Red Cloud, and other Sioux war chiefs. A distinguished warrior, he was present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876.
Forced to surrender in 1877, he left to join Sitting Bull in Canada but eventually returned to the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. In 1890, he participated with fellow Miniconjou, Big Foot, in the Ghost Dance movement. Warned of danger, he led his followers to the safety of the Pine Ridge Agency. Shortly thereafter, Big Foot and the remaining Ghost Dancers were massacred by the U.S. Army at Wounded Knee Creek. Hump and other Sioux chiefs then went to Washington, D.C., to negotiate for better treatment of the Sioux people. He returned to reservation life and died in 1908 at Cherry Creek, South Dakota.