White Bull, Joseph, 1849-1947
Variant namesBiographical notes:
Chief Joseph White Bull (Pte-san-hunka) was born in April 1849 in the Black Hills of South Dakota. He was the son of MakesRoom, a Miniconjou chief, and Good Feather Woman. White Bull was a nephew of Sitting Bull. He was trained in the arts of warfare and hunting, and by adulthood played a major role in the protection of Teton land from settlement. By the time of the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876, White Bull participated in nineteen battles, and was twenty seven years old. At this battle, the forces of the 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer were met by a large contingent of Dakota and Cheyenne warriors. Custer's forces were completely wiped out, with only a lone horse escaping. In this legendary battle, White Bull has sometimes been credited with slaying Custer. White Bull's writing has been interpreted the following way: he and Custer were engaged in hand to hand combat, but eventually White Bull gained the upper hand. He was able to grab Custer's carbine, after which he shot Custer in the chest. White Bull surrendered to government troops in 1876. He eventually became a chief, replacing his father upon his death. He also acted as a judge of the Court of Indian Offenses. He died on June 21, 1947.
From the description of Sioux history in pictures : the White Bull manuscript, 1781-1931. (University of North Dakota). WorldCat record id: 48872360
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Subjects:
- Dakota Indians
- Little Bighorn, Battle of the, Mont., 1876
Occupations:
Places:
- South Dakota (as recorded)
