APRIL 5, 1884

LAKOTA CHIEF KȞAŊǦÍ YÁTAPI (CROW KING) DIED—LED WARRIORS AT THE LITTLE BIG HORN

Crow King (also known as “Medicine Bag That Burns,” “Burns The Medicine Bag,” or “Medicine Bag”) was a Hunkpapa Sioux war chief. At the time of the Battle of Little Big Horn, as one of Sitting Bull’s war chiefs, he led 80 warriors against Custer’s men on Calhoun Hill and Finley Ridge. For the duration of the battle, Crow King and his band attacked Custer from the south, allowing Crazy Horse and Gall to surround the 7th Cavalry. Crow King had 2 brothers—Swift Bear and White Bull–killed in the fight. He later related that as General Reno’s command retreated, Sitting Bull halted their attack saying “This is not my doings, nor these men. They are fighting because they were commanded to fight. We have killed their leader. Let them go.” If this command had not been given, he felt that Reno’s command also would have been cut to pieces. Crow King died of “quick consumption” and received the rites and sacraments of the Catholic Church.

Source: 
 “Crow King's Story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn,” Leavenworth Weekly Times, Thursday, August 18, 1881.  Retrieved 9/12/2022, Crow King's Story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn (astonisher.com)
Wikipedia
Photo:  Author unknown, pre-1884.  Public Domain.