Sherman and Commissioners with Indian Chiefs at Fort Laramie
4/1868
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In this photo General William T. Sherman and his staff are negotiating a peace treaty with the Sioux (Brule, Oglala, Miniconjou, Yanktonai, Hunkpapa, Blackfeet, Cuthead, Two Kettle, Sans Arcs, and Santee) and the Arapaho. At least one representative of each individual tribe signed the treaty at Fort Laramie, Wyoming. Alexander Gardner photographed the event.
All the tribes involved gave up many thousands of acres of land that had been promised in earlier treaties, but retained hunting and fishing rights in their older territory. They also agreed not to attack railroads or settlers. In exchange, the U.S. Government established a smaller reservation than before, consisting of a large portion of the western half of what is now the state of South Dakota, including the Black Hills.
All the tribes involved gave up many thousands of acres of land that had been promised in earlier treaties, but retained hunting and fishing rights in their older territory. They also agreed not to attack railroads or settlers. In exchange, the U.S. Government established a smaller reservation than before, consisting of a large portion of the western half of what is now the state of South Dakota, including the Black Hills.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer.
National Archives Identifier: 531079
Full Citation: Photograph 111-SC-95986; General William T. Sherman and Commissioners in Council with Indian Chiefs at Fort Laramie, Wyoming; 4/1868; Photographs of American Military Activities, ca. 1918 - ca. 1981; Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, Record Group 111; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/sherman-chiefs-fort-laramie, January 18, 2025]Activities that use this document
- Analyzing a Photograph of a Treaty Council
Created by the National Archives Education Team
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