Conquering Bear
Conquering Bear was a leader of a band of Sioux who resided along the North Platte River, a region integral to the Oregon Trail. In August 1854, a conflict arose when a cow belonging to a Mormon settler wandered onto Conquering Bear's territory, leading to a series of misunderstandings and violent encounters. Following the cow's slaughter by a Minneconjou Sioux named High Forehead, Conquering Bear sought to address the situation peacefully by offering restitution at Fort Laramie, having previously signed a treaty aimed at maintaining peace along the trail. However, a newly appointed lieutenant, John Grattan, was dispatched to apprehend High Forehead, escalating tensions. Despite the killing of one of his men, Conquering Bear attempted to keep his warriors restrained. Tragically, he was ultimately killed during the confrontation initiated by Grattan's orders, leading to a violent retaliation from his warriors against Grattan's detachment. This incident marked the beginning of the broader conflicts known as the wars of the northern Plains, highlighting the fraught interactions between Native American tribes and expanding settler populations. Conquering Bear's story underscores the complexities of cultural encounters and the tragic consequences of misunderstandings during this turbulent period in American history.
Conquering Bear
- Born: Unknown
- Birthplace: Place unknown
- Died: August 19, 1854
- Place of death: Near Ash Hollow (now in Nebraska)
Category: Tribal chief
Tribal affiliation: Brule Sioux
Significance: Conquering Bear, a Sioux, was killed while attempting to accommodate whites; his death precipitated war in the northern Plains
Conquering Bear’s band of Sioux lived along the North Platte River, which was part of the Oregon Trail. When a party of Mormons passed through the region in August, 1854, a cow wandered onto Conquering Bear’s land. Its Mormon owner fled to nearby Fort Laramie, reporting that Indians had stolen his livestock. Meantime, High Forehead, a visiting Minneconjou Sioux, slaughtered the cow. Conquering Bear, who had signed the Treaty of Fort Laramie of 1851 pledging peace along the Oregon Trail, traveled to the fort offering restitution. The fort commander, however, dispatched a newly commissioned and eager West Point lieutenant, John Grattan, to arrest High Forehead.
Even after cavalrymen murdered one of his men, Conquering Bear restrained his warriors. Grattan, however, ordered his men to attack, and Conquering Bear was killed. Conquering Bear’s warriors retaliated, killing all but one of Grattan’s detachment. Subsequently, on September 3, 1855, General William S. Harney and his forces attacked a Sioux camp. Thus began the wars of the northern Plains.