The Baker Massacre Essay

Along the Marias River on January 23, 1870, the Baker Massacre stirred Heavy Runner’s camp. The US Army purged into an innocent Blackfeet camp while most of their warriors were out hunting. The US army shot and murdered the Blackfeet relentlessly. But going back to what started it,it was 1869 when Owl Child murdered white trader, Malcolm Clarke. The government then gives orders to prepare for an attack. General Sheridan would later give orders to Major Eugene Baker to teach them a lesson. Eugene Baker gathers men to initiate an attack on the Native Americans. Baker gets two scouts, led by Joe Kipp and Joe Cobell. But when they get there, Joe Kipp realizes that it is the wrong camp. Around 173 were slaughtered in their camp. The Baker Massacre

In an official report of the Military Department of Dakota, it stated that, “it was necessary to slaughter them” (Helena: Montana Historical Society Press 60-61). It proves the US army’s direct intentions of that time and in that moment. However, shortly after the entourage, A publishing company in New York wrote about the Baker Massacre, calling it a “cold blooded massacre”(New York Evening Post 1). The published paper insinuated that the government/people who initiated it are ruthless killers. All these reports and papers are all within months of the massacre, having more accurate information about the attack. In conclusion, the US army’s perspective is more accurate because the time periods of the articles match the time of the Baker

The self questioning and the “full on attack” thinking split the Army. Joe Kipp for example, noticed it was the wrong camp when he noticed Heavy Runner with papers. He was fifty- sixty yards when Heavy Runner got shot. When the military attacks, he goes in reluctantly. Adding on, the article stated, “Heavy Runner. . . had a camp like six to seven miles from the camp of Pete Owl Child.” (Helena: Montana Historical Society Press, 60-61). The US Army would have made it to the correct camp if they traveled a little further. But on the other hand, another publisher wrote, “The Happy Result of Col. Baker’s. . .” which said, “All are now happy, cheerful, and content,” (McGuire, 2) meaning the Baker Massacre was for the greater good. Both sources have different views on whether the massacre was a good idea. In total, both of the views have an obvious “good” and “evil” view. This provides a large selection about different thoughts on why the Baker Massacre had happened. In this case, the US Army’s perspective shows more than just the attack’s case, but also the feelings of how everyone felt about the