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Crazy Horse Facts & Worksheets

Crazy Horse, meaning "His-Horse-Is-Crazy," was an Oglala Lakota war chief in the nineteenth century.

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Crazy Horse, meaning “His-Horse-Is-Crazy,” was an Oglala Lakota war chief in the nineteenth century. He took up arms against the United States federal government to fight against the takeover of Indian country by white American settlers and to maintain the Lakota people’s traditional way of life. 

See the fact file below for more information on Crazy Horse, or you can download our 27-page Crazy Horse worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

EARLY YEARS

  • He engaged in several critical battles in the American Indian Wars on the northern Great Plains, including the Fetterman Massacre in both the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn in which he commanded a successful war party, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1877 and the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1866, in which he functioned as a decoy, gained him enormous respect from both his adversaries and his own people.
  • Crazy Horse was severely wounded by a bayonet-wielding military guard in September 1877, four months after surrendering to US forces under General George Crook at Camp Robinson in present-day Nebraska.
  • He is one of the most renowned and legendary Native American warriors recognized by the United States. Postal Service issued a 13 Great Americans series postage stamp in 1982.
  • The specific year of Crazy Horse’s birth varies, although most believe he was born between 1840 and 1845. His parents were from two Lakota tribes of the Sioux.
  • Crazy Horse was also the name of his father, born in 1810. Crazy Horse was named Cha-O-Ha (“In the Wilderness” or “Among the Trees”), meaning he was one with nature.
  • He was born in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the son of the Oglala Sioux shaman Crazy Horse and his Brule Sioux wife.
  • Crazy Horse had a brighter complexion and curly hair than the rest of his clan. He was nicknamed “Curly Hair” and “Light-Haired Boy” as a youngster since boys were not customarily named until they had an experience that earned them a name. His mother, Rattling Blanket Woman, born in 1814, gave him the nickname “Curly” or “Light Hair” because his light curly hair resembled her own. Crazy Horse was just four years old when she died.
  • Crazy Horse received the nickname “His Horse Looking” as a child. However, he was more popularly known as “Curly” until 1858, when he was given his father’s name after a battle with Arapaho warriors, while his father was given the moniker Worm.
  • Crazy Horse’s demeanor was recognized for its aloofness, shyness, humility, and lonesomeness. He was kind to the needy, the elderly, and children.
  • Crazy Horse’s reputation as a warrior rose throughout the late 1850s and early 1860s, as did his popularity among the Lakota. In their oral histories, the Lakota related stories about him.

THE VISION OF CRAZY HORSE

  • Crazy Horse was not a traditionalist regarding his tribe’s customs, dismissing many Sioux traditions and rites.
  • Crazy Horse went off into the grasslands for a vision quest in 1854, bypassing the prescribed procedures.
  • It was common for young men from the plains tribes to seek visions that resembled guidelines for fulfilling one’s destiny. 
  • Crazy Horse began to have glimpses from another dimension after refusing to eat or drink for four days: he learned that if he lived modestly, avoided war trophies, and embraced a simple mindset, he would never be injured in battle. 
  • With one exception, Crazy Horse is said to have never been broken in subsequent encounters.

GENERAL WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN

  • The finding of gold along Montana’s Bozeman Trail in 1866 prompted General Sherman to construct several forts in Sioux territory. 
  • In 1866, a regiment engaged with Sioux and Cheyenne warriors after Crazy Horse posed as a decoy, resulting in the deaths of 80 white troops in an ambush. The soldiers’ bodies were cut apart to convey a message to Sherman.
  • Crazy Horse took part in a raid on a tiny fort in 1867. Sherman then traveled the Native prairie regions, meeting with chiefs and seeking peace.
  • By 1868, the soldiers had been removed from the contested forts, and a treaty was negotiated to grant native inhabitants possession of the Black Hills, lands west of Missouri, and property in Wyoming. Under fear of arrest, no whites would be permitted to access that zone.
  • Crazy Horse, on the other hand, refused to sign the pact, preferring to invade rival tribes.
  • Crazy Horse’s first love was Black Buffalo Woman. They met in 1857, but when Crazy Horse was on a raid, she married a man named No Water.
  • Crazy Horse continued to pursue her and eloped with her in 1868 when No Water was on a hunting trip. Crazy Horse and Black Buffalo Woman were united for one night before No Water stole his wife away, shooting Crazy Horse in the nose and shattering his jaw.
  • Despite their worries about bloodshed between communities, the two men reached an agreement.
  • Crazy Horse urged Black Buffalo Woman not to be penalized for leaving and to receive a horse as recompense from No Water.
  • Crazy Horse ultimately married Black Shawl, who died of disease, and then Nellie Larrabee, a half-Cheyenne, half-French woman.
  • Black Buffalo Woman’s fourth child, a daughter, was said to be the outcome of her night with Crazy Horse.

GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER

  • As railways extended westward, conflicts between Native Americans and troops grew.
  • Crazy Horse participated in a raid with Sitting Bull against 400 troops in 1872, and his horse was shot from beneath him when he attempted a charge, a rash push ahead to meet the US Army.
  • As railways extended westward, conflicts between Native Americans and troops grew.
  • Crazy Horse participated in a raid with Sitting Bull against 400 troops in 1872, and his horse was shot from beneath him when he attempted a charge, a rash push ahead to meet the US Army.
  • General George Armstrong Custer traveled into Sioux country in 1873. Crazy Horse initially saw Custer somewhere along the Yellowstone River when he came across a detachment of napping soldiers.
  • The Sioux attempted but failed to seize their horses, and Crazy Horse retreated after a struggle.
  • Custer’s men entered the Black Hills in pursuit of gold, breaking treaties and bringing in civilian miners who outnumbered the Native population.

THE ROSEBUD BATTLE

  • By 1876, a significant number of tribes had assembled around Montana’s Little BigHorn River to join Sitting Bull.
  • General George Crook, who had previously plundered a hamlet falsely claimed by Crazy Horse, launched an attack, but Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull rallied troops to repel Crook in the Battle of Rosebud in a battle that lasted six hours.

THE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIGHORN

  • One week later, General Custer fought at Little Bighorn against the advice of his Native guides, who told him he would lose the fight.
  • Crazy Horse led up to 1,000 Indians to flank Custer’s soldiers and help seal the general’s sad loss and death in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, better known as Custer’s Last Stand. The result of the battle, namely the defeat of the US forces, was the most significant event of the Great Sioux War of 1876.

CRAZY HORSE SURRENDERS

  • While the Sioux suffered ongoing hostility from General Crook during a terrible winter that destroyed the tribe, Crazy Horse moved to Big Butte to harass white miners in the Black Hills.
  • Sensing the tribe’s survival struggle, Colonel Nelson A. Miles attempted to make a deal with Crazy Horse, offering to assist the Sioux and treat them properly.
  • Soldiers shot and murdered three messengers sent by Crazy Horse to discuss the bargain, and Crazy Horse escaped. Miles relentlessly attacked Crazy Horse’s camp until winter weather forced him to retreat.
  • Crazy Horse, who was incapacitated by the winter, met with Lieutenant Philo Clark, who offered the hungry Sioux their own reserve in exchange for their submission. Crazy Horse concurred.

THE ARREST OF CRAZY HORSE

  • During the discussions, Crazy Horse encountered problems with both the Army and his tribesmen. Clark tried to persuade Crazy Horse to travel to Washington, but he declined, reinforcing the Army’s stance that Crazy Horse was too untrustworthy for discussion.
  • Some Sioux were agitated with others after hearing that Crazy Horse had gained favor with white people who intended to establish him as Sioux chief.
  • Tensions grew as the Army sought Crazy Horse’s assistance in their struggle with the Nez Perce Indians. 
  • Despite the fact that Crazy Horse had not spoken during these meetings, an interpreter said Crazy Horse had sworn not to stop fighting until all white men were killed.
  • Some Sioux warriors joined the Army to fight against the Nez Perce warriors. Crazy Horse was furious and threatened to abandon the discussions before being detained.

THE DEATH OF CRAZY HORSE

  • When Crazy Horse got back to camp the next day, he asked to speak with military authorities but was escorted to a cell instead.
  • Crazy Horse resisted as he realized the betrayal.
  • Little Big Man, an old buddy who worked as a policeman for the Army, attempted to hold Crazy Horse, who drew a hidden knife on him.
  • A soldier pushed a bayonet into Crazy Horse’s belly, piercing his kidneys, in an attempt to stop him from attacking Little Big Man.
  • Crazy Horse passed out and was taken to an office, where he refused to sleep on a cot. Only his father was allowed to visit him.
  • Crazy Horse died on the night of September 6, 1877, while lying on the bare floor in Fort Robinson, Nebraska, at the age of 35. His body was hauled away by Sioux and buried at an unknown site near Wounded Knee Creek.

CRAZY HORSE MONUMENT

  • Crazy Horse is renowned for his courage, tenacity, and leadership of spirit in the face of almost insurmountable obstacles.
  • His memory is honored by the Crazy Horse Memorial, an unfinished massive sculpture in the Black Hills near Mount Rushmore. The Crazy Horse Memorial, begun in 1948 by artist Korczak Ziókowski (who also contributed to Mount Rushmore), would be the world’s biggest sculpture when finished.
  • The sculpture grounds are open to the public and reputedly get over one million visitors each year. They are operated by the charity Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation.
  • There is considerable disagreement over the authenticity of an alleged Crazy Horse photograph dating from 1877. Throughout his life, he eschewed being photographed because he was committed to preserving traditional Native American culture and practices.

Crazy Horse Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Crazy Horse across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Crazy Horse, who was an Oglala Lakota war chief in the nineteenth century. He took up arms against the United States federal government to fight against the takeover of Indian country by white American settlers and to maintain the Lakota people’s traditional way of life. 

Crazy Horse Worksheets
Crazy Horse Worksheets
Crazy Horse Worksheets

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Crazy Horse Facts
  2. War Leader
  3. Know Me Better
  4. Test Your Knowledge
  5. More About Me
  6. Leading a War
  7. Draw Me
  8. Why Am I?
  9. The Chosen One
  10. Soap Carving
  11. Preserving Culture

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Crazy Horse?

Crazy Horse (1840–1877) was a Native American Lakota warrior and leader of the Oglala Sioux tribe. He played a significant role in the resistance against the encroachment of European settlers and the U.S. government into Lakota lands during the late 19th century.

What is Crazy Horse Monument?

The Crazy Horse Memorial is a monumental sculpture under construction in the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA. It is dedicated to honoring the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse and aims to preserve Native American culture and history. The monument depicts Crazy Horse mounted on his horse, pointing symbolically into the distance.

What is Crazy Horse’s significance in Native American history?

Crazy Horse is celebrated for his leadership in the resistance against the U.S. government’s attempts to force Native American tribes onto reservations. He played a crucial role in the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, where combined Lakota and Cheyenne forces defeated General Custer’s cavalry.

What were some of Crazy Horse’s notable achievements?

Crazy Horse was known for his exceptional courage, military strategies, and commitment to his people’s freedom. He was involved in several battles against U.S. forces, including the Fetterman Fight and the Battle of the Rosebud. His leadership and determination left a lasting impact on Native American history.

Why is Crazy Horse often portrayed as a heroic figure?

Crazy Horse is celebrated as a heroic figure due to his unwavering dedication to preserving Lakota culture, land, and way of life. His resistance against overwhelming odds and his willingness to fight for his people’s freedom have made him an enduring symbol of Native American resistance and strength.

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