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Important chief (1822–1909) of the Oglala Lakota, famous for opposing U.S. Army forces during ‘Red Cloud’s War’ from 1866–1868, when he conducted raids against troops and outposts along the Bozeman Trail. The conflict came to an end with the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, which established the Great Sioux Reservation and ceded the Black Hills to their control; this treaty made Red Cloud the only chief to get the US to sign a surrender document. The treaty would be violated just seven years later after the Black Hills Gold Rush and Custer’s expeditions into the territory, prompting the Great Sioux War of 1876–1877, led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. Red Cloud did not take part, instead hoping to find a peaceful solution, and he became a crucial leader of the Lakota as they transitioned from the freedom of the plains to the confinement of the reservation system. In 1877, the Red Cloud Agency moved to the upper Missouri River. The following year it was moved to the forks of the White River, in present-day South Dakota, where it was renamed the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Never wavering from his steadfast devotion to his people, Red Cloud would die there in 1909. Extraordinarily rare guided ink signature, "Red Cloud," as well as his freehand mark, "X," on an off-white 8 x 10.5 sheet, inscribed and annotated below in another hand, "To John C. Pearson…I hereby certify that the above is the signature of Chief Red Cloud, and mark, F. C. Goings, Gov. Interpreter, June 26, 1906" and "This is in answer to your letter of the 13th inst. The signature of Red Cloud is genuine, he held the pen in his hand while the hand was being guided. John R. Brennan, U.S. Indian Agent." Also includes an original 3.5 x 4.5 photograph of Red Cloud holding his pipe and wearing his peace medal, annotated on the reverse in ink in an unknown hand, "Old Chief Red Cloud, Pine Ridge, S.D., Sept. 1909." In fine condition, with intersecting folds.
John R. Brennan was an important figure at Pine Ridge, appointed as United States Indian agent, superintendent, and disbursing agent for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1901. Known as a fair and competent administrator, he aimed to enact the policies desired by the federal government while allowing the Sioux to retain their traditional culture whenever possible. Frank C. Goings, an Oglala, at various times served as both agency interpreter and chief of agency police at Pine Ridge; he also worked as a recruiting agent for Buffalo Bill and other Wild West shows on the reservation. An amazing autograph virtually nonexistent in provably authentic examples, witnessed by notable representatives of the United States government at the Pine Ridge reservation in 1906.
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