Report On the Death of Sioux Chief Sitting Bull
12/15/1890
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This report by James McLaughlin, U.S. Indian Agent at the Standing Rock Agency, is part of Special Case 188 pertaining to the Ghost Dance. A map of the site where the fight occurred is enclosed with the report. The order to "secure Sitting Bull" is also included.
Transcript
[document cover, originally folded in three][stamped] 39602 OFFICE OF 1890
INDIAN AFFAIRS
Rec’d DEC 22
[handwritten] s c 1896
[stamped] CASE NO. [handwritten] 188
[stamped] STANDING ROCK AGENCY,
FORT YATES, N.D.
[handwritten and underlined] Dec 16. 1890
[handwritten] James McLaughlin U.S. Ind. Agent.
[horizontal line]
[handwritten] Reports the fight on the morning of the 15th inst. On Grand River between the Indian Police and Indians, and the capture and death of Sitting Bull.
[horizontal line]
[handwritten] Ind agt McL, in A Decr 30/90
5 Inclosures
[handwritten] To Secty December 23
1890
[handwritten]S. B 209-53
[handwritten] 22/99
[handwritten and encircled on third folded section] Copy
[typeset] United States Indian Service,
[stamped] STANDING ROCK AGENCY
FORT YATES, N.D. [typeset] Agency,
December 16, 1890
[remainder of document handwritten]
Hon. T. J. Morgan,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
In accordance with my telegram of yesterday informing you of a fight with the Indians of this reservation I now have the honor to make the following detailed statement. My action in the matter has been governed by Department instructions.
The troops left Fort Yates at 12 PM. on the night of Sunday the 14th instant for Grand River, with Louis Primeau as Guide, and my Indian police who were there at Grand River, or enroute, were instructed to arrest Sitting Bull when the troops were sufficiently near to afford them protection in case of resistance to the arrest.
At “Day Break” on Monday morning the 15th the Police went to Sitting Bull’s Camp direct to
[handwritten at bottom of page] 4-96 6
his house and surrounded the house; a detail was sent into the house where Sitting Bull was sleeping on the floor, the remainder staying outside. They aroused him and announced their purpose, at the same time raising him to a sitting position, and he at first seemed inclined to offer no resistance and they allowed him to dress, during which time he changed his mind and they took him forcibly from the house. By this time the police were surrounded by Sitting Bull’s followers, members of the Ghost Dance, and the first shot was fired by “Catch the Bear” one of the hostiles and the lieutenant of Police, Henry Tatankapah, (Bull Head), who was in command of the detachment of 42 men, was struck; the fighting then became general, in fact it was a hand to hand fight. Sitting Bull was killed, shot through the body and head in the early part of the fight by Bull Head and Marcelus Chankpidutah (Red Tomahawk) who each shot at him.
Four Policemen were killed outright and three wounded, one of the latter dying at the Agency Hospital this morning after his removal there.
[handwritten at bottom of page] 4-97 7
Bull Head, the Lieutenant of Police is dangerously wounded but may recover. The hostile Indians lost 8 killed and several wounded and were driven from the field by the police; they fled up Grand River leaving their wives and families & all their property and dead behind them. Two Troops of the U.S. Cavalry (100 men) arrived on the ground immediately after the fight which had occupied less than half an hour and took possession of the Camp, its inhabitants property and dead. The military did not pursue the fleeing hostiles and the latter will no doubt fall into the hands of some one of the Commands moving at the different points west or south of the reservation.
The Police returned about 3 P.M. to day accompanied by the Cavalry detachment having incharge the remains of the four dead policemen, and Sitting Bull also two prisoners, Henry Growler Sitting Bull’s Nephew 21 years old, and “Middle” son of Little Assinaboine, 21 years old.
The dead policemen will be buried tomorrow at
[handwritten at bottom of page] 4-98 8
the Agency with Military honors. Sitting Bull’s remains are in the possession of the Military at Fort Yates.
The details of the battle show that the Indian police behaved nobly and exhibited the best of judgment and bravery, and a recognition by the Government for their services on this occasion is richly deserved and should be promptly given with a substantial allowance for the families of those who are dead, and also for the survivors to show them that the Government recognizes the great service that has been done for the country in the result of yesterday’s fight.
I respectfully urge that the Interior Department co-operate with the War Department in obtaining Congressional Action which will secure to these brave survivors and to the families of the dead a full and generous reward. Besides the Indian police there were four volunteers, erg: "Gray Eagle," "Spotted Thunder" "Otter Robe" and "Young Eagle" who participated in the fight rendering good service and deserving like recognition. Gray Eagle (Gabriel
[handwritten at bottom of page] 4-99 9
Wanblihotah) is one of the Judges of the Court of Indian Offenses, and his two sisters are Sitting Bull’s wives; until about 17 months ago he was Sitting Bull’s main support.
Casualties in the Police Force
Henry Tatankapah (Bull Head) 1st Lieut., in command dangerously wounded, 4 wounds.
Charles Kashlah (Shave Head) 1st Sergeant, Mortally wounded, since dead.
James Wambdichigalah (Little Eagle) 4th Serg’t, Killed
Alexander Hochokah (Middle) Private, Painfully wounded
Paul Akichitah (Afraid of Soldier) Private, Killed
James Armstrong (Special Police Killed
Hawk Man " Killed
“Indians killed outright and bodies held by police.
1 Sitting Bull
2 Black Bird Very bad man
3 Catch the Bear Ditto
4 Little Assinaboine Ditto
5 Crow Foot, (Sitting Bull’s son, 17 years old, a bad young man)
6 Spotted Horn Bull, a chief
7 Brave Thunder, a chief
8 Chase Wounded"
[handwritten at bottom of page] 4-100 10
and several others badly wounded but carried off by their friends and whose names are not yet known.
A large majority of the Indians of this Agency are loyal to the Government and universal satisfaction is expressed by them as it ends the Ghost Craze here.
I have sent couriers to overtake the fleeing Indians advising them to return as their only
safety was at the Agency and that if found outside of the Reservation they must suffer the consequences.
While this conflict causing the loss of some of our best, ([each word underlined] noble and brave) policemen is to be very much regretted, yet the great good accomplished by the ending of Sitting Bull’s career whose influence has been of such a retarding nature, and the determination the police manifested in maintaining the will of the Government, is most gratifying.
I enclose copies of telegrams showing the authority under which the Indian police were
[handwritten at bottom of page] 5-1 11
engaged in the arrest of Sitting Bull, also copy of a message sent in by John M. Carignan, Teacher of the Grand River Day School, showing the contemplated flight of Sitting Bull, and the necessity for his immediate arrest, also a rough sketch of the battle ground.
I am, Sir,
very respectfully.
Your obed’t Serv’t,
[signed] James McLaughlin
U. S. Indian Agent.
5 Inclosures.
[handwritten at bottom of page] 5-2 12
[document cover, originally folded in three]
[handwritten and underlined] Inclosure No. 1
accompanying letter of U.S. Ind Agent McLaughlin reporting death of Sitting Bull &c &c
[horizontal line]
[stamped on second folded section]
39602 INDIAN OFFICE. 1890.
Inclos No. [handwritten] 1
[handwritten partial document in two pieces]
(Copy Telegram)
Washington, D.C.
December 1, 1890.
To James McLaughlin
Agent
Standing Rock Agency, Ft. Yates, N.D.
By direction of the Secretary during the present Indian troubles you are instructed that while you shall continue all the business and carry into effect the educational and purposes of your Agency you will as to all operations intended to suppress any outbreak by force co-operate with and obey the orders of the Military Officers commanding on the reservation
[document cover, originally folded in three]
[handwritten] Inclosure No. 2
accompanying letter from U.S. Indian Agent McLaughlin reporting death of Sitting Bull &c
[stamped on second folded section]
39602 INDIAN OFFICE. 1890.
Inclos No. [handwritten] 2
(Copy Telegram)
Washington, DC.
Decr 5, 1890.
To McLaughlin
Agent
Standing Rock Agency, N.D.
Referring to your telegram of this date Secretary directs that you make no arrests whatever except under orders of the Military or upon an order from the Secretary of the Interior.
(Signed) R V Belt
Acting Commissioner
[handwritten at bottom of page] 5-4 3
[document cover, originally folded in three]
[handwritten] Inclosure No. 3
Accompanying letter from U.S. Ind Agent McLaughlin reporting death of Sitting Bull and fight with the Indians.
[encircled] Copy
[stamped on second folded section]
39602 INDIAN OFFICE. 1890.
Inclos No. [handwritten] 3
[encircled] Copy
12:30 A.M.
Grand River Decr 14, 1890.
Major James McLaughlin
Standing Rock Agency, N.D.
Dear Sir:-
“Bull Head” wishes to report what occurred at S. B’s camp at a Council held yesterday. It seems that Sit. Bull has received a letter from the Pine Ridge outfit, asking him to come over there, as God was to appear to them. S. B’s people want to him to go but he has sent a letter to you asking your permission, and if you do not give it, he is going to
go anyway; he has been fitting up his horses to stand a long ride and will go a horseback in case he is pursued. Bull Head would like to arrest him at once before he has the chance of giving them the slip, as he thinks that if he gets the start, it will be impossible to catch him; if you should want to arrest him, he says to send word
[handwritten at bottom of page] 5-5 1
by courier immediately, also to let him know what your plans are; if soldiers are to come, he says to send them by S. B’s Road. He also mentions something about “Shave Head” coming down here but as I am not good enough Interpreter to understand everything he has said you can use your own judgment in regard to that, one thing I understand thoroughly and that is, that the poor man is eat out of house and home, he says that what with Councils and couriers coming to his place that even the hay he had is very nearly all gone. I sympathize with him as I am nearly in the same boat. If you send a dispatch to Bull Head through me, please send me some envelopes as I am entirely out. Can’t even find one to enclose this letter.
Yours very respectfully
(Sgd) John M. Carignan
Note: Mr. Carignan is the teacher of the Grand River Day School, who has kept me informed of Sitting Bull’s movements &c &c. from information reported to him by the police for that purpose.
[handwritten at bottom of page] 5-6 2
[document cover, originally folded in three]
[handwritten] Inclosure No. 4
accompanying letter of US Ind Agent McLaughlin reporting death of Sitting Bull &c.
[encircled] Copy
[stamped on second folded section]
39602 INDIAN OFFICE. 1890.
Inclos No. [handwritten] 4
Copy Telegram.
Headquarters Dept. of Dakota T.
St. Paul, Minn.
December 12” 1890.
To
Commanding Officer,
Fort Yates, N.D.
The Division Commander has directed that you make it your especial duty to secure the person of Sitting Bull.
Call on Indian Agent to cooperate & render such assistance as will best promote the purpose in view.
Acknowledge receipt & if not perfectly clear, repeat back.
By command of
Genl. Ruger.
(Sgd.) M. Barber, Asst. Adjutant-General
Official copy of translation of cipher telegram respectfully furnished Major James McLaughlin.
G.H. Patten
2nd Lieut 22nd Infantry
Acting Post-Adjutant
[handwritten at bottom of page] 5-7 5
[handdrawn map]
[handwritten notations left to right]
Hills & Cañons
Bull Head’s House where Police first assembled
Gray Eagle’s House Where Police concentrated
L. Assinaboine Camp.
Road taken by John M. Carignon at 3 A.M. morning of the 15th from the School to Bull Head’s.
Road taken by Police to the Camp. S. Bull’s Road to Agency
Indian Lodges in the Timber Grand River – Timbered on both sides
Indian Lodges
Dance Tent
Corral
S. B’s stable
Sitting Bull’s House
Indian Houses
Of arrival of Troops immediately
after the fight. Troops
Grand River Day School
[handwritten and signed] Rough sketch of the Country where the fight between Indians
and Indian Police took place on the morning of Decr. 15, 1890
[enclosed in right bracket]
Standing Rock Agency
December 16, 1890
James McLaughlin
US Ind Agent
[handwritten at bottom of page] 39602
This primary source comes from the Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
National Archives Identifier: 300326
Full Citation: Report by James McLaughlin, U.S. Indian Agent, Standing Rock Agency, on the death of Sioux Chief Sitting Bull; 12/15/1890; Special Cases, 1880 - 1907; Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/death-sitting-bull, March 22, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
