…a Sioux War Chief of the Oglala Lakota a seasoned warrior and one of the most capable opponents the U.S. Army ever faced, in 1866–1868 he led a successful conflict known as Red Cloud's War.

As a warrior and a statesman, his success in confrontations with the U.S. government made him one of the most important Lakota leaders of the nineteenth century.

During the Lakota War (1876-77) for unknown reasons, Red Cloud did not join Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and other war leaders. After the defeat of the Lakota Nation, Red Cloud continued to fight for the needs and autonomy of his people, even if in less obvious or dramatic ways than waging war.