 On the morning of August 18, a large party of painted and armed Sioux warriors surrounded the buildings of the Lower Sioux Agency, a settlement populated by the Indian agent and various government personnel.The Sioux gave a signal and launched a surprise attack on the post on unsuspecting and unarmed men, women, and children.Under the direction of Chief Little Crow and the cry, "Kill all of the Whites and Cut Hairs...," newspaper editor, legislator, and trader, James Lynd, was the first man killed.