Hodges Soileau (American, B. 1943) "Red Cloud" Signed lower middle. Original Oil painting on Canvas laid on Foam Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the Fleetwood First Day of Issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 10c Red Cloud stamp issued on August 15, 1987. 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 independent 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 goldfields. 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. Image Size: 10.25 x 13.25 in. Overall Size: 13.25 x 16.25 in. Unframed. (B11202) See More