Native Lakota Hunkpapa Sioux War Chief. Known as Matohinsda, “Bear Shedding His Hair” in his youth, he acquired the name Pizi “Gall” when he attempted to eat the gall bladder of an animal. He distinguished himself early as a warrior and hunter, fought at the Battle of Big Mound with Inkapudta and was with Crazy Horse at the Battle of the Rosebud against General George Crook. He eventually became Sitting Bull's military chief, and led attacks on army troops along the Yellowstone River in 1872 and 1873. At the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, he rallied his warriors in the face of Major Reno's attack against the First Nations village. After Reno's retreat he turned his attention to the main body of the 7th Cavalry and joined forces with Crazy Horse to defeat George Armstrong Custer. Following the battle, he accompanied Sitting Bull in his retreat into Canada. He finally surrendered on January 3, 1881, and was settled on Standing Rock reservation. There he lent his prestige to the reservation farming program and became an active supporter to educate Indian children in special schools. In 1889 he became a judge on the reservation's Court of Indian Offenses. The once mighty warrior spent the rest of his life as a distinguished Lakota and peaceful farmer. The inscription on the rear of his headstone reads "An Honest Man Should Always be Remembered".
Native Lakota Hunkpapa Sioux War Chief. Known as Matohinsda, “Bear Shedding His Hair” in his youth, he acquired the name Pizi “Gall” when he attempted to eat the gall bladder of an animal. He distinguished himself early as a warrior and hunter, fought at the Battle of Big Mound with Inkapudta and was with Crazy Horse at the Battle of the Rosebud against General George Crook. He eventually became Sitting Bull's military chief, and led attacks on army troops along the Yellowstone River in 1872 and 1873. At the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, he rallied his warriors in the face of Major Reno's attack against the First Nations village. After Reno's retreat he turned his attention to the main body of the 7th Cavalry and joined forces with Crazy Horse to defeat George Armstrong Custer. Following the battle, he accompanied Sitting Bull in his retreat into Canada. He finally surrendered on January 3, 1881, and was settled on Standing Rock reservation. There he lent his prestige to the reservation farming program and became an active supporter to educate Indian children in special schools. In 1889 he became a judge on the reservation's Court of Indian Offenses. The once mighty warrior spent the rest of his life as a distinguished Lakota and peaceful farmer. The inscription on the rear of his headstone reads "An Honest Man Should Always be Remembered".
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
Abraham Gall - Pizi Died Dec. 5, 1894 Aged 55 years
Advertisement
