Little Crow was born at the Dakota settlement of Kaposia just below present-day Indian Mounds Park. His father died in 1846 after accidentally discharging a gun. Band leadership was disputed between Little Crow and his brother. They had an armed fight that resulted in Little Crow being wounded in both wrists. This left scars that he concealed with long sleeves for the rest of his life. He had a third physical oddity, a double row of teeth. By 1849, Little Crow took control of his band.