From Edward Curtis’ Field Notes:

“The recognized war-honors were four in number: striking one of the enemy, whether dead or alive; killing an enemy; taking a scalp; capturing a horse. Coup could be counted by the first four men that struck any individual of the enemy; that is, four honors could be taken from each hostile warrior. One who had led four war parties and in each case struck one of the enemy first was regarded as a chief. If in addition he had been wounded in battle…he was permitted to wear a shirt ornamented with scalps.” – Edward S. Curtis

Volume 03, The Teton Sioux, 1908. Plate facing page 106.