Two Moons
Encyclopedia
Two Moons pronounced ‘Ishaynishus’ (actually translates into Two Moons) was the son of Carries the Otter, an Arikara
captive who married into the Cheyenne
tribe. Perhaps known best for his participation in battles such as the Battle of the Rosebud
against General Crook
on June 17, 1876, in the Montana Territory
, the Battle of Little Big Horn on June 26, 1876 and what would prove to be his last battle which was that of the Battle of Wolf Mountain
on January 8, 1877. Two Moons defeat in the battle at Wolf mountain by General Nelson A. Miles
would inevitably lead to the surrender of his Cheyenne band at Fort Keogh
in April, 1877.
After the surrender of Two Moons Cheyenne band in 1877, Two Moons would choose to enlist as an Indian Scout for the same General Nelson A. Miles that he had not long since surrendered to. As a result of Two Moons pleasant personality, the friendliness that he showed towards the whites
as well as his ability to get along with the military, Two Moons was thus appointed head Chief of the Cheyenne Northern reservation
by General Nelson A. Miles. Under the title as head chief, Two Moons would prove to play a crucial role in the assistance of the surrender of Chief Little Cow's Cheyenne band to Fort Keogh.
Two Moons would later serve the Cheyenne Northern reservation by traveling on multiple occasions to Washington, D.C.
, where he discussed and fought for the future of his people. In 1914 Two Moons actually met with President Woodrow Wilson
to discuss exactly that. Later that year Two moons was used as a model by James Fraser
for the very famous Buffalo Nickel in 1914. Two Moons died three years later at his home in Montana
at the age of 70. Two Moons grave still lies alongside U.S. Route 212
, west of Busby, Montana
.
Arikara
Arikara are a group of Native Americans in North Dakota...
captive who married into the Cheyenne
Cheyenne
Cheyenne are a Native American people of the Great Plains, who are of the Algonquian language family. The Cheyenne Nation is composed of two united tribes, the Só'taeo'o and the Tsétsêhéstâhese .The Cheyenne are thought to have branched off other tribes of Algonquian stock inhabiting lands...
tribe. Perhaps known best for his participation in battles such as the Battle of the Rosebud
Battle of the Rosebud
The Battle of the Rosebud occurred June 17, 1876, in the Montana Territory between the United States Army and a force of Lakota Native Americans during the Black Hills War...
against General Crook
George Cook
George Cook, was an English opera singer, best known for his performances in the bass and bass-baritone roles of the Savoy Operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company...
on June 17, 1876, in the Montana Territory
Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
, the Battle of Little Big Horn on June 26, 1876 and what would prove to be his last battle which was that of the Battle of Wolf Mountain
Battle of Wolf Mountain
The Battle of Wolf Mountain, also known the Battle of the Wolf Mountains, Miles's Battle on the Tongue River, and the Battle of the Butte, occurred January 8, 1877 in the Montana Territory between the United States Army and a force of Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne during the Great Sioux War of...
on January 8, 1877. Two Moons defeat in the battle at Wolf mountain by General Nelson A. Miles
Nelson A. Miles
Nelson Appleton Miles was a United States soldier who served in the American Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War.-Early life:Miles was born in Westminster, Massachusetts, on his family's farm...
would inevitably lead to the surrender of his Cheyenne band at Fort Keogh
Fort Keogh
Fort Keogh is located on the western edge of Miles City, Montana. Occasionally spelled Fort Keough. Originally a military post, today it is a United States Department of Agriculture livestock and range research station. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places...
in April, 1877.
After the surrender of Two Moons Cheyenne band in 1877, Two Moons would choose to enlist as an Indian Scout for the same General Nelson A. Miles that he had not long since surrendered to. As a result of Two Moons pleasant personality, the friendliness that he showed towards the whites
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
as well as his ability to get along with the military, Two Moons was thus appointed head Chief of the Cheyenne Northern reservation
Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation
The Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, formerly named the Tongue River Indian Reservation, is an Indian reservation that is home to the Northern Cheyenne tribe of the Native Americans. It is located around the small towns of Lame Deer and Ashland, Montana, in parts of Rosebud and Big Horn...
by General Nelson A. Miles. Under the title as head chief, Two Moons would prove to play a crucial role in the assistance of the surrender of Chief Little Cow's Cheyenne band to Fort Keogh.
Two Moons would later serve the Cheyenne Northern reservation by traveling on multiple occasions to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, where he discussed and fought for the future of his people. In 1914 Two Moons actually met with President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
to discuss exactly that. Later that year Two moons was used as a model by James Fraser
James Fraser
James Fraser may refer to:*James Baillie Fraser , Scottish author*James A. Fraser , gold miner and Canadian politician*James E. Fraser James Fraser may refer to:*James Baillie Fraser (1783–1856), Scottish author*James A. Fraser (1843–1937), gold miner and Canadian politician*James E. Fraser...
for the very famous Buffalo Nickel in 1914. Two Moons died three years later at his home in Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
at the age of 70. Two Moons grave still lies alongside U.S. Route 212
U.S. Route 212
U.S. Route 212 is a spur of U.S. Route 12. Though it currently never intersects U.S. 12, it once had an eastern terminus at U.S. 12 in St. Paul, Minnesota. It runs for 949 miles from Minnesota Highway 62 at Edina, Minnesota to Yellowstone National Park.U.S. 212 passes through the states of...
, west of Busby, Montana
Busby, Montana
Busby is a census-designated place in Big Horn County, Montana, United States. It is on the Northern Cheyenne reservation. The population was 695 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Busby is located at ....
.