Front:
10USA
000
10USA
15
1987
68970
Red Cloud
RED
NE
Back:
RED CLOUD
First Day of Issue: August 15, 1987
First Issue Location: Red Cloud, Nebraska
Born in 1822 on Blue Creek in Nebraska, Red Cloud
earned a reputation as a warrior, diplomat and leader.
Described as a natural born gentleman, he led an inde-
pendent band in the 1860's, and was eventually accepted
as leader of the Oglala Sioux — the largest Teton Sioux
tribe. Throughout this period the Oglala dominated the
rich Powder River hunting grounds of Wyoming and
Montana. Meanwhile, as the Civil War raged eastward,
John Bozeman was sent to map a trail through Oglala
territory to the Montana gold fields. Red Cloud strongly
opposed the route and the three forts built along the trail.
He kept relentless pressure on the government and the
forts until he succeeded in forcing their abandonment.
He won both victory and peace with the treaty he signed
on November 6, 1868. In his later years, Red Cloud
continued to lead the Oglalas, and on October 7, 1878
he established the Sioux Agency. Blind and ailing, he
died December 10, 1909.
No. 87-80
1987 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by Hodges Soileau.
