get along."Big Eagle spent his final years living in Granite Falls, Minnesota, where he died after two days of illness on January 5, 1906. "A Sioux Story of the War" In June 1894, Big Eagle was interviewed by historian and journalist Return Ira Holcombe through two interpreters. The narrative, "A Sioux Story of the War: Chief Big Eagle's Story of the Sioux Outbreak of 1862," first appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on July 1, 1894 and was reprinted in Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society later that year. In his introduction, Holcombe explained the terms under which Big Eagle granted the interview:Mr. Big Eagle was first informed that his statements were wanted solely in order that a correct knowledge of the military movements of the Indians during the war might be learned. It was suggested to him that no harm there from could come to him or any of his people; that neither the war banner nor the "bloody shirt" waved any longer in Minnesota; that it was well known that he was a prominent character in the war, but that he was now and had been for many years a quiet, industrious Christian citizen, respected by all who knew him, and he was assured that he would be correctly reported. He readily consented to tell his story, and gave full permission to use his name.Holcombe was satisfied that Big Eagle was honest in his statements:The old man was very frank and unreserved. He did not seem to wish to avoid or evade an answer to a single question. He is of more than ordinary intelligence, and spoke candidly, deliberately and impassively, and with the air and manner of one striving to tell “the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” He proved a mine of information, and his story contains many items of history never before published. Historical significance of narrative Big Eagle's narrative was the first comprehensive account of the war to be published from the point of view of a Dakota leader who had fought alongside Little Crow. In the words of historian Kenneth Carley, "In addition to being a 'first' and an 'exclusive,' the interview had significance because of the fact that Big Eagle was a Sioux leader who took part in councils where decisions were made." Return I. Holcombe himself was uniquely well-qualified to conduct the interview of Big Eagle. A Union Army