Question

How does the account of the Wounded Knee Massacre by the interpreter for General Forsyth, Philip F. Wells, compare to Dewey Beard’s depiction of that day?
A
Neither Philip F. Wells or Dewey Beard are sure how the Wounded Knee Massacre escalated so quickly or who is to blame.
B
Philip F. Wells believes the events of Wounded Knee were self-defense, while Dewey Beard believes that it was a misunderstanding that unnecessarily escalated to a massacre.
C
Philip F. Wells, while reluctant, agrees with Dewey Beard’s opinion that unnecessary force was used that day at Wounded Knee.
D
Dewey Beard holds his people responsible for the Wounded Knee Massacre, agreeing with Philip F. Wells’s assertion that they fired the first shot, even if it was fired due to a misunderstanding.

Answer 1

The correct answer is "B".

Dewey Beard, also known as "Iron Hail" was the last known survivor of "The Wounded Knee Massacre". As a teenager, he fought in the Battle of Little Bighorn, which resulted in Colonel George Armstrong's defeat. Till his death, he insisted that the massacre was caused due to unnecessary use of force by the US troops.

On the other hand, Philip F. Wells, who served as translator between General Forsyth and Big Foot, came to the conclusion that it was an act of self-defense. Wells was half Sioux, however, he disliked them for killing his father.