In his second portrayal of the remarkable Shoshone leader Chief Washakie (1798-1900), Battle of Two Hearts, artist Dave McGary focuses on one of the most dramatic battles in the history of the American West to reveal a younger Washakie, experienced but still vital, as the invincible warrior that he was. Indeed, Washakie's hard-won victory over the Crow enemy at Crowheart Butte in west central Wyoming is legendary.
Washakie was as committed to his people's education as he was to protecting their lands. "Today, education is the weapon my people will need to protect them," he said. Consequently, proceeds from the sales of Chief Washakie, and matching funds from the Wyoming State Legislature, have resulted in a scholarship endowment at the University of Wyoming totaling nearly $400,000.
The Battle of Crowheart Butte was ignited when Crow Chief Big Robber and his braves refused to leave an area near this unique geological outcropping at the middle northern boundary of the present-day Wind River Reservation. Game had become increasingly scarce in other areas, with more tribes looking to the Wind River Valley for their winter supply of meat. Like the Shoshone, the Crow believed that this was their territory, too. When the Crow moved in to hunt, Washakie allowed them to stay for several weeks. Eventually, however, Washakie sent one of his best warriors and the warrior's wife as a peace envoy with a message telling Big Robber that it was time to move east toward the Owl Creek Mountains.
The Crow Chief's response was to kill the Shoshone scout as the woman watched helplessly. Big Robber then sent the wife home to relate the horrific scene to Chief Washakie. Washakie considered Big Robber to be a very strong opponent who was revered among his people, the Crow, for his steadfast bravery. Washakie immediately organized a Shoshone war party of men he had trained personally to military precision and set out to attack the band of Crow camped on the Big Wind River near the Kinnear Ranch. A group of friendly Bannocks joined Washakie in his attack on the Crow.
Although taken by surprise, the Crow proved to be formidable adversaries for Washakie's men and the two sides fought for nearly a week without resolution. Finally, realizing that both chiefs were losing too many warriors, Washakie approached Big Robber with a proposition: The two chiefs would fight each other. And whichever chief lost, his men would forfeit the hunting lands and go home.
Fearless and menacing, Washakie rode even closer to the Crow chief and taunted him: "You and I will fight. And when I beat you, I will cut out your heart. And I will eat it!"
As the Shoshone and Crow warriors gathered on opposites sides to watch, the two chieftains rode back and forth taunting and yelling at each other. As the fight raged on, it became impossible to distinguish one from the other in the distant haze of dust. Finally, Washakie emerged with Big Robber's heart on the end of his lance and the winner was determined. True to his word, Washakie did cut out the dead chief's heart, but his descendants say he did not eat it. Instead, he displayed it until after the Shoshone victory dance that night. Out of respect for the triumphant Washakie, the Crow gave him two young women. He later took one of them to be his wife.
In Battle of Two Hearts, McGary catches the moment when Washakie first raises his lance challenging Big Robber to begin their duel. Washakie's horse, a bold and strikingly beautiful Appaloosa, senses the tension of the moment with its neck arched, mouth open, nostrils flared and head turned to anticipate where the two chiefs would clash. On the animal's chest is painted a yellow handprint - the sign of Washakie's "Yellow Bang" clan - and his tail is loose and flowing to avoid getting caught during battle. A feather painted red is tied to the horse's mane. The stunning creature had been a gift to Washakie from legendary Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce.
In addition to his full war bonnet, eagle tail feathers adorn the bonnet cap, painted red to represent Washakie's battle wounds. The red feathers are place in a line just inside the back of the war bonnet. His fringed shirt also is painted red around the yoke and each sleeve has three slits to signify that he is a chief. Scalp locks are tied around the edge of the yoke. Underneath his shirt, Washakie also wore a hardened rawhide shield that protected him like body armor during battle.
The yellow hand also decorates the front of Washakie's war shield that was made from the skin from a buffalo hump. Hot rocks were used to stretch the skin while it was still fresh. Then the skin was placed over the shield and tied securely with strings until it dried and could be painted. Twelve eagle feathers hang around the edge of the bottom half of the shield. To hold the shield, Washakie uses buckskin handles that were threaded through holes drilled in the dried buffalo skin. Washakie had a shield for every occasion - hunting, moving camp, war, etc. - and hung them on willow branches outside his tepee.
Washakie, in fact, means "The Rattler," a name that the chief earned for the rattle he always carried with him to accompany himself when he sang. Prior to fighting, he is said to have ridden to the top of the hills surrounding his home and sang his battle song while hitting a rawhide drum resounding for miles. But for Washakie's enemies, "The Rattler" had a different meaning. For them, his rattle was a terrorizing sound used by the rampaging chieftain to spook their horses in the heat of battle.
Masterwork Bronze with Patina and Paint,
Edition of 60, Year Cast 2001
