Reva, South Dakota Explained

Reva, South Dakota
Settlement Type:Unincorporated community
Pushpin Map:South Dakota#USA
Pushpin Label:Reva
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:South Dakota
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Harding
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population As Of:2000
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:Mountain (MST)
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:MDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation Ft:3054
Coordinates:45.5453°N -103.0839°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP codes
Postal Code:57651
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank2 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank2 Info:1257361

Reva is an unincorporated community in Harding County, South Dakota, United States. Although not tracked by the Census Bureau, Reva has been assigned the ZIP code of 57651.

The community has the name of Reva Bonniwell, the daughter of a first settler.[1] It is the location of the annual Reva Turtle Races.

History

The Battle of Slim Buttes occurred here on September 9–10, 1876, in the Great Sioux Reservation between the United States Army and Miniconjou Sioux during the Great Sioux War of 1876. It marked the first significant victory for the Army since the stunning defeat of General George Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn in June.

One hundred fifty troopers led by Captain Anson Mills from the 3rd U.S. Cavalry surrounded the village of thirty-seven lodges and attacked it the next morning, shooting anyone who resisted. Taken by surprise, the Native Americans fled, with a mortally wounded Chief American Horse the elder and fifteen women and children hiding in a nearby ravine/draw. Having refused treatment by the army surgeons after surrendering, American Horse eventually lost his life, as well as two women and one child. One tribal boy was found alive in the village, having slept through the initial fighting. Those Sioux who escaped spread the word to neighboring Sans Arc, Brulé and Cheyenne villages, telling Crazy Horse and other leaders that they had encountered 100-150 soldiers. Unknown to them, Crook's main column of infantry, artillery, and other cavalry had their arrival.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Federal Writers' Project. Federal Writers' Project. South Dakota place-names, v.1-3. 1940. University of South Dakota. 58.
  2. http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMQ34X_Battle_of_Slim_Buttes_Historic_Site_Reva_SD "Battle of Slim Buttes Historic Site - Reva, SD"