Narrative of My Captivity Among the Sioux Indians (Legends of the West)
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History
Book Type: Hardcover
Pam C. (PamC) reviewed on + 117 more book reviews
In 1864 the Kelly wagon train, a party of six persons, departed Geneva, Kansas bound for Idaho,"...with high wrought hopes and pleasant anticipations of a romantic and delightful journey across the plains.." Unaware of the rising hostilities between Indians and settlers, the party chose to turn down the offer to join a larger train and instead continued on their way West content in their own company. It was a decision they would regret.
At the end of a "hot and oppressive day" they were confronted by a band of two hundred and fifty Indians, who after making more and more demands upon the company, finally turned and began the massacre that would end in the carrying away of Fanny and her daughter, Mary.
Fanny Kelly's captivity coincided with General Sully's campaign against the Santee Sioux, and although she did not realize it, she was witness of the last days of the free roaming way of life of the Plains Indians. She describes, in detail, daily life in an Indian camp and notes customs that differed greatly from her own previous existence. At the same time her own status among the tribe was constantly being reversed from captive drudge to honored guest.
Fanny Kelly's captivity coincided with General Sully's campaign against the Santee Sioux, and although she did not realize it, she was witness to the last days of the free roaming way of life of the Plains Indians. Her account of life with the Sioux is both fascinating and harrowing. She describes, in detail, daily life in an Indian camp and notes customs that differed greatly from her own previous existence. At the same time her own status among the tribe was constantly being reversed from captive drudge to honored guest.
First published in the nineteenth century, the modern reader will find much that is interesting in Narrative of My Captivity Among the Sioux, not least because Fanny Kelly tells her story with the accepted hostility that was common in her day, hostility that has led to stereotyping and misunderstandings that still exist today.
At the end of a "hot and oppressive day" they were confronted by a band of two hundred and fifty Indians, who after making more and more demands upon the company, finally turned and began the massacre that would end in the carrying away of Fanny and her daughter, Mary.
Fanny Kelly's captivity coincided with General Sully's campaign against the Santee Sioux, and although she did not realize it, she was witness of the last days of the free roaming way of life of the Plains Indians. She describes, in detail, daily life in an Indian camp and notes customs that differed greatly from her own previous existence. At the same time her own status among the tribe was constantly being reversed from captive drudge to honored guest.
Fanny Kelly's captivity coincided with General Sully's campaign against the Santee Sioux, and although she did not realize it, she was witness to the last days of the free roaming way of life of the Plains Indians. Her account of life with the Sioux is both fascinating and harrowing. She describes, in detail, daily life in an Indian camp and notes customs that differed greatly from her own previous existence. At the same time her own status among the tribe was constantly being reversed from captive drudge to honored guest.
First published in the nineteenth century, the modern reader will find much that is interesting in Narrative of My Captivity Among the Sioux, not least because Fanny Kelly tells her story with the accepted hostility that was common in her day, hostility that has led to stereotyping and misunderstandings that still exist today.
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