In the July 6 issue of this paper, there was an article about the descendants of General Eugene A. Carr visiting the Summit Springs battlefield south of Sterling. Indeed, it was the Carrs’ ancestor who led the cavalry charge against the Indians camped at Summit Springs. Tall Bull and more than fifty Cheyenne and Sioux men, women, and children, were slain.
Evidently, the lack of Native American participation in the recent Heritage Fest bothered even General Carr’s own namesake. While at Summit Springs, Eugene Carr III said “I wish there would be more (Native American) participation. I know this is a place of great sadness for them, and I wish we could talk about that. I wish there was something I could do to assuage the hard feelings.”
Had Sterling’s July 4 Heritage Fest been an event that included Tall Bull’s descendants and other Cheyenne and Sioux participants, Eugene Carr III might have gotten his wish. Reconciliation would have been an ideal way for Indians and non-Indians to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Summit Springs affair.
In early April 2019, I wrote to this paper urging that there be participation by Cheyenne and Sioux representatives in the Heritage Fest.
Instead, two non-Indian speakers were featured to tell their side of the Summit Springs story.
Too often, White historians portray Tall Bull and the Dog Soldiers as renegades and “outlaws.” But to many Native Americans, Tall Bull and his people were patriots and “freedom fighters.”
Maybe in 2069 (the 200th anniversary of the Summit Springs conflict), Native Americans will feel welcome and be encouraged to participate in a public event that fairly — and respectfully — commemorates the historic battle of Summit Springs.
A public event like that would be truly remarkable, and one worthy of remembrance.
Timothy J. Kloberdanz
Fargo, North Dakota