Red Bird

By William Ellery Channing Leonard

"Red Bird" is a powerful four-act drama by William Ellery Leonard that dramatizes a poignant and tragic chapter in American history. Set in the Wisconsin territory during the Winnebago War of 1827, the play centers on the historical figure of Red Bird, a noble Winnebago chief. The narrative explores the escalating tensions between Indigenous nations and the encroaching white settlers, focusing on the cultural misunderstandings and broken treaties that lead to inevitable conflict.

Leonard's work provides a sympathetic and deeply human portrayal of the titular chief, depicting him as a man of great integrity caught between the survival of his people and the overwhelming force of American expansion. As the drama unfolds, Red Bird is forced to make a profound personal sacrifice to protect his tribe from further devastation. The play serves as a striking examination of justice, honor, and the tragic consequences of frontier displacement.

Renowned for its historical sensitivity and lyrical prose, "Red Bird" remains a significant contribution to 20th-century American literature. It offers a compelling look at the complex interpersonal and political dynamics of the early 19th-century frontier, making it an essential read for those interested in historical drama and the multifaceted history of the American West.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025399358
• ISBN13: 9781025399355
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 166 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"