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THB[NATIVE AMERICAN] Moccasin Taken From Crow Leader w/ Provenance
![[NATIVE AMERICAN] Moccasin Taken From Crow Leader w/ Provenance](https://s1.img.bidsquare.com/item/xl/3177/31778687.jpeg?t=1UzcKW)
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About Auction
LiveOct 10, 2025
Day one of Fleischer's 2025 Fall Premier auction includes early American artifacts, documents, signatures, ephemera, and weaponry. Rare material relating to African American history is featured, as well as fine examples of antique photography. Fleischer's Auctions info@fleischersauctions.com
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- Lot Description
MOCCASIN TAKEN FROM THE LEADER OF THE CROW UPRISING
Historic grouping consisting of a moccasin, purportedly blood-stained, taken off the body of the Crow warrior, Sword Bearer, accompanied by two letters of provenance. Sword Bearer, also known as Wraps‑Up‑His‑Tail, was the leader of the Crow Rebellion. Sword Bearer's resistance to U.S. forces ended with his death at the hands of Captain Frank K. Upham at Fort Custer, Montana, on 5 November 1887.
1. Crow hide beaded moccasin. Taken from Sword Bearer on 5 November 1887.
2. Autograph letter signed by Frank K. Upham, to John Ward Dean. Fort Custer, Montana, 28 January 1888. 2 pages, 4to.
3. Autograph letter signed by John Ward Dean, to Captain F. K. Upham. Fort Custer, Montana, 17 February 1888. 1 page, 8vo, on New-England Historic Genealogical Society letterhead.
Provenance: New England Genealogical Society, deaccessioned in 2000.
One of the two accompanying letters is a detailed correspondence from Captain Upham, dated 22 January 1888. In it, Upham describes the encounter and aftermath, noting grimly that he personally found the moccasin “on [Sword Bearer’s] foot...instead of a scalp I send you another emblem." Upham continues and expresses his intention to gift the moccasin to the New England Historic Genealogical Society as a token of appreciation for his recent election as Corresponding Secretary: "It is a Moccasin, an ancient one, which has doubtless travelled hundreds of miles, and has a hole in its sole that seems to express the condition of the poor departed warrior when he parted from it.”
The second letter, dated 17 February 1888, was written by John Ward Dean of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. He responds to Upham, graciously acknowledging the gift: "the thoughtfulness and purpose manifested in the gift by the donor, rather than the article itself, makes us take much pride in this relic."
In September 1887, the “Crow War," or “Crow Rebellion,” erupted when Sword Bearer (Wraps‑Up‑His‑Tail) led a small party in a daring raid to recover horses stolen by the Blackfoot from the Crow reservation. After recovering the stolen horses, Sword Bearer and his followers rode back triumphantly to the Crow Indian Agency. In what came to be called the “Crow Incident,” Crow warriors circled Indian Agent Henry E. Williamson’s residence, firing shots into the air and then into the ground at Williamson’s feet. Alarmed by the unexpected gunfire and fearing an assault on his home, Williamson immediately wired the troops at Fort Custer to request military support, triggering the U.S. Army’s intervention. Troops from Fort Custer, under the command of Captain Frank K. Upham, were dispatched to bring the Crow back under reservation control; on 5 November 1887, Upham’s Company G engaged Sword Bearer’s band in a fierce skirmish, delivering the shots that fell the young leader and effectively ended the uprising.
[Native Americans, Native American History, American Indian, Indian History]
[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]
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