Few Indian Chieftains are as well known, revered, and as shrouded in legend as Crazy Horse. Like the Messiah of his people, he led his “troops” into battle repeatedly after visions of himself as leader of his people inspired him to action. Even among white people he was known for his fearlessness in battle. There was non-among the Indian tribes that matched his military prowess or skills both as a leader of the people and warrior. Despite this fearlessness, and the larger than life persona that surrounded him, Crazy Horse’s legacy ended in an undignified manner fit not even for an animal. The very people he had agreed to turn himself into disemboweled him, the same people who should have taken care of him so that a fair trial could be held. As his life was, so to was his death shrouded in mystery; however, E. A. Brininstool’s collection of letters and accounts of Crazy Horse’s death called, “Crazy Horse: The Invincible Sioux Chief,” …show more content…
Lee was an evenhanded man when it came to the Native Americans, and was the Indian agent at Spotted Tail. Lee was with Crazy Horse when he suffered the injury that would kill him, but not when he died. Lee was an acquaintance to Crazy Horse, his family, and his fellow Indians. This is a possible reason that Crazy Horse trusted Lee to take him to Camp Robinson. It was on his deathbed that Crazy Horse absolved Lee of responsibility for the betrayal of the other white men. He respected Crazy Horse and had no intentions to harm him, or knowledge of what was planned. Lee’s intimacy with and friendliness with the Indians, and his ability to convince Crazy Horse of his safety if he accompanied Lee all likely helped convince Crazy Horse to follow to Camp Robinson. Lee’s role in the death of Crazy Horse was perhaps that of the naïve man or enabler. With hope that the promises he made to Crazy Horse would come true he brought Crazy Horse to right to his death; indeed, in the end Lee’s role would be, “a source of torture,” for