NO. 5 SITTING BULL STIRLING 37 



I will try and think of some trinket that would please him as a gift from 

 you — something that will cost but little — -I can't think of anything at present. 

 Am quite well. Have been out in the field a good deal this summer and am 

 quite busy. I have the luck to be alone with the Co. most of the time. 



Love to all. Of course you will be elected. If you need my vote I will come 

 home on election day. 



Yours truly, 

 W. Tear (signed) 



Fort Randall, D. T. 



August 1 6, 1882 

 Dear General: 



I send you inclosed Sitting Bull's interpretation of his paintings recently sent 

 you. 



I furnished the book which contains the paintings and from time to time 

 saw him at work on them. These notes were taken down by me, after the 

 paintings were completed, in Sitting Bull's tipi in the same routine as given 

 by himself (thro an interpreter of course) Bull having the picture before him 

 while giving a description of the fight. It was impossible to locate the scenes 

 with any definiteness ; "The Land of the Sioux" ; "The Land of the Crows" 

 and "a long way from the Missouri" being the usual location given. In talking 

 of his life Bull uses his name instead of the pronoun "T" ; that is he speaks in the 

 third person. In these notes you must understand that it is Sitting Bull speaking. 

 Bull made these pictures for me to show his gratitude for blankets and clothing 

 furnished his children last winter before the Government supply of clothing for 

 his band arrived. 



I am endeavoring to get him to complete his history up to the present time, 

 and if successful you shall have it. 



Bull says he is 43 years old. I think he is nearer 50. These scenes of his 

 life of course comprise his life from the time that he was able to ride a horse 

 and handle a bow. The scars of the wounds he speaks of are visible now. 

 Regards to your family. 



Yours truly, 



W. Tear (Signed) 

 Lieut. 25th Infantry 

 Gen. J. C. Smith 

 Chicago, 111. 



250 W. Van Buren Street 



The list of explanations with the picture record are written in 

 the hand of Lieutenant Tear on nine pages of foolscap paper. These 

 explanations are here placed opposite the pictures described, exactly 

 as written. 



