[Native-Americana] [Sitting Bull] Autograph Letter, Signed by Captain Edmond G. Fechet of the 8th U.S. Cavalry Offering an Account of the Encounter that Ended with the Death of the Famed Lakota Warrior, Sitting Bull, 1890

Fort Yates, North Dakota. December 30, 1890. One sheet, 10 x 7 3/4 in. (254 x 197 mm). Autograph letter, signed by Captain Edmond G. Fechet of the 8th US Cavalry, to Isaac N. Roland. In part: "I am sorry that I cannot comply with your request, as I have nothing of my own to send you. I was too busy when I drove off Sitting Bulls followers from when they had the Indian police penned up, to secure any trophies myself. After the fight was over, some of the police brought me as a present a beautiful buffalo robe, embroidered with porcupine quills which they gave me as a present as it had been the finest Sitting Bull had. I start out with the Cavalry at day light to try and capture the balance of Bull's band, when I come in again I will see if I cannot get hold of something for you..." Creasing from old folds, closed tears along same; scattered stains.

Captain Edmond G. Fechet of the 8th U.S. Cavalry offers an account of the encounter that ended with the death of famed Lakota warrior, Sitting Bull (1831-1890).

In 1890 Sitting Bull and his Sioux followers had been living on the Standing Rock Reservation, overseen by United States Indian Agent James McLaughlin based at Fort Yates. A year before, the Ghost Dance ceremony began being adopted by many Plains Indian tribes, advocating an end of American westward expansion. United States officials were wary it would lead to a coordinated Indian rebellion, so McLaughlin, fearing that Sitting Bull might join, ordered his arrest that December.

On December 15, over 40 armed police officers entered Sitting Bull's village, informed him that he was under arrest, and attempted to usher him to Fort Yates. The other Sioux nearby began to surround the officers, and when Sitting Bull refused to comply the tensions erupted. A member of the Sioux fired on the officers, who in turn shot Sitting Bull. Within minutes 14 men were killed or wounded. Sitting Bull's body was buried at Fort Yates until 1953, when it was exhumed for reinternment near his birthplace in Mobridge, South Dakota.

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How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

[Native-Americana] [Sitting Bull] Autograph Letter, Signed by Captain Edmond G. Fechet of the 8th U.S. Cavalry Offering an Account of the Encounter that Ended with the Death of the Famed Lakota Warrior, Sitting Bull, 1890

How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

[Native-Americana] [Sitting Bull] Autograph Letter, Signed by Captain Edmond G. Fechet of the 8th U.S. Cavalry Offering an Account of the Encounter that Ended with the Death of the Famed Lakota Warrior, Sitting Bull, 1890

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