No. 11. Sitting Bull, Squaw and Twins. Outdoor of Sitting Bull with his wife and their children. Fort Randall, Dakota Territory: Bailey, Dix & Mead, 1882. Copyright statement to mount recto. Imprint, view list, and view title with description printed to mount verso. 

An essential scene from the celebrated 24-view series produced by Bailey, Dix & Mead documenting Hunkpapa Lakota leader Sitting Bull and his followers during their internment as prisoners of war at Fort Randall, Dakota Territory (1881-1883). The composition depicts Sitting Bull and his wife, Seen By Her Nation (or Four Robes), seated with her children outside their canvas tepee alongside visiting Anglo observers, with an officer or cavalryman mounted on a white horse in the background.

After their surrender in July 1881 at Fort Buford and years of exile in Canada following the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull and approximately 170 followers were held under military guard at Fort Randall. They remained imprisoned for 20 months, eventually being released to the Standing Rock Agency in May 1883. 

Sitting Bull (c. 1831/7-1890) was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader most famous for leading his people in resistance against the U.S. government. His first acts of resistance came during Red Cloud's War; however, Sitting Bull is best remembered for creating a safe haven for Native Americans in the Great Sioux War of 1876. This camp was discovered by General Custer, leading to the Battle of the Little Bighorn, in which Sitting Bull's followers, led by Crazy Horse, defeated the U.S. forces. The public outcry at Custer's last stand forced Sitting Bull and his band to exile themselves to Canada until their eventual surrender and imprisonment, as depicted in this stereoview. 

The photographic partnership formed by post trader William H. Bailey, post surgeon Dr. J. W. Dix, and clerk M. C. Mead secured exclusive permission to photograph the encampment, producing what remains the definitive ethnographic and historical documentation of Sitting Bull’s internment.

[Sitting Bull, Tatanka Iyotake, Lakota, Hunkpapa, Sioux, Fort Randall, Dakota Territory, Indian Wars, Battle of the Little Bighorn, Custer, Prisoners of War, Tipis, American West, Frontier History] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Stereoviews, Stereographs, Albumen Prints, Bailey Dix & Mead, Frontier Photographers]

Very good condition overall, with balanced tones, sharp definition, and good contrast. The card mount is solid, flat, and intact, showing minor handling wear and light corner softening. Verso is remarkably clean, crisp, and fully legible.