USA > Minnesota > Dakota County > History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 27
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In May, the Sioux were removed from the state, together with the Winnebagoes, and sent to a new reservation on the Missouri River. Efforts were made to get rid of the Chippewas, but were not successful.
Gen. Sibley in May concentrated three thous- and troops at Camp Pope, on the upper Minnesota River, for his expedition. These were: the Sixth, Seventh, and Tenth Infantry, Capt. Jones' Bat- tery, and the Mounted Rangers. On June 17th, the expedition started on its march. Gen. Ste- phen Miller was meantime in command of the department here. Gen. Alfred Sully was at the same time moving up the Missouri River with another expedition.
On June 22d, the War Department authorized
the formation of a three years battalion of six companies of cavalry, for service against the In- dians, to be commanded by Major E. A. C. Hatch. This was soon recruited, and in active duty at the various posts in this department.
OUR REGIMENTS IN THE SOUTH.
The summer of 1868 was one of hard service and brilliant renown to our regiments in the South. On May 3d, the Fourth Regiment was in hot action in the battle at the crossing of Big Black river, with a loss of three killed. One of its officers planted the Union flag on the Capitol at Jackson. At Champion Hills (May 16th) it lost one killed. On May 22d, at Vicksburg, it again suffered severely, losing twelve killed and forty-two wounded. The Third Regiment was also in the same campaign. On May 19th, the Fifth Regiment near Vicksburg, lost one killed and five wounded.
The severest loss of any of our regiments in the war, however, was that suffered by the First Regiment at Gettysburg, on July 3d. It took part in the hottest of that memorable action, and made a movement in the face of an awful fire from the rebels. In a few minutes it lost sixty- eight killed, 149 wounded, 90 missing, and when it emerged from the baptism of fire, had only 87 men in its ranks. The news of this terrible car- nage was received with profound sympathy by the people of the State, mingled with thankful- ness, however, for the great victory won there, and at Vicksburg, on the same day.
DEATH OF LITTLE CROW.
During June, a band of seventeen Indians greatly annoyed the settlers in Meeker and Kandi- yohi counties, killing several. On July 8d, a man named Nathan Lampson, and his son Chauncy, were hunting near Hutchinson, when they espied two Sioux. A fight ensued, in which Mr. Lamp- son was badly wounded, when his son, by a fortu-
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nate shot, killed one of the Indians. The dead body of the latter was taken to Hutchinson. From its appearance, and certain marks, it was supposed to be Little Crow. It was scalped, and the re- mains buried. Not long after, an Indian was captured in Dakota, which proved to be Wo-wi- na-pe. Little Crow's son. He confessed that the Indian killed by Lampson was his father, and that he was with him at the time. The remains of the celebrated chieftain, whose name for months was a terror to our people, were then exhumed, and the skeleton preserved. The scalp and arm bones are in the museum of the Histori- cal Society, at St. Paul.
Gen. Sibley's expedition reached the Coteau of the Missouri on July 24, and on that day, at a place called " Big Mound," was attacked by about one thousand Indians. A sharp engage- ment ensued, in which twenty-one Indians were killed, and only two of our troops. On July 26, at " Dead Buffalo Lake," the Sioux again attacked his column, but were repulsed, with a loss on our side of one man. On July 28, at "Stony Lake," about two thousand Indians again gave battle, but were routed, with considerable loss. The expedition pursued the savages to the Missouri river, across which they escaped. It returned to the state about Sept. 1st. Gen. Sully's column had several engagements with the Indians, chas- tising them severely.
The summer of 1863 was memorable for an in- tense drouth, which continued until the close of 1864. During these two seasons almost no rain fell, yet the harvests were good. The worst re- sult was on the river, which was unprecedently low, and business was badly interfered with, and the lumbering interest was, for the same reason, greatly depressed.
On Sept. 19 and 20, at Chickamauga, the Second Regiment was hotly engaged, and suffered a loss of thirty-five killed and one hundred and thirteen wounded.
Early in October, the Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth Regiments were relieved from duty here and sent to St. Louis, from whence they went to the front.
On Oct. 12th, the War Department, having called for two hundred thousand more troops, authorized the Second Regiment of cavalry to
take the place of the Mounted Rangers, whose term of service had expired.
On Oct. 14 the First Regiment was engaged at Bristow's Station, and lost one killed and nine- teen wounded, capturing two hundred prisoners and several guns.
At the state election this fall, Gen. Stephen Miller was elected governor, by a vote of 19,628 over Henry T. Wells, who had 12.739.
On Nov. 23, the Second Regiment was in the action at Mission Ridge, and suffered a loss of five killed and thirty-four wounded.
The provost marshals of the state made an en- rollment of all the male citizens this fall, pre- paratory to the draft. Resistance was made in some cases, but no serious disturbances took place, as in other states.
EARLY IN 1864,
the regiments which enlisted in 1861, and had re- enlisted as " veterans." were allowed to return to the State on furlough. They were received in the various towns of the State with the most lively demonstrations of pride and grati- tude, and banqueted and petted as the brave heroes deserved.
On April 28th the First regiment. whose term of service had expired, was mustered out at Fort Snelling. Barely one hundred of the 1080 men who had stood on the same parade ground three years before, were in the ranks. Out of some re- enlisted men and recruits a battalion was formed, called the "First Battalion," which did good ser- vice during the next year.
On March 30th the Third regiment had a close action at a place called Fitzhugh's Woods, near Augusta, Ark. Seven were killed and sixteen wounded. Gen. Andrews, commanding, had his horse shot under him.
On June 6th an expedition left Fort Ridgely in pursuit of the hostile Sioux on the Missouri River, under command of Gen Sully. It con- sisted of the Eighth Minn. (mounted), six compa- nies of the Second Cavalry, three sections of Jones' Battery, and Brackett's Battalion of cav- alry, which had re-enlisted and was now organ- ized as a separate command.
On June 14, the Sixth Regiment left Fort Snel- ling for the south, and was soon after placed in the Sixteenth Army Corps, in which was also the
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CLOSE OF THE INDIAN WAR AND THE WAR OF SECESSION.
Fifth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth Minnesota reg- iments. The Fifth had, not long previously, taken a part in the disastrous Red River cam- paign, and the Ninth had borne a share in the unfortunate Guntown expedition (June 10), where it suffered a loss of seven killed, thirty-three wounded, and two hundred and forty-six taken prisoners.
On Feb. 1 the War Department had made a call for two hundred thousand men, and on March 14 another call for the same number, fol- lowed by one in April for eighty-five thousand. The quota of our state under these heavy calls was about five thousand men, and on May 26 drafting commenced to fill the quotas of some districts which were delinquent. The desire of some towns and districts to escape a draft led to the issuing of bonds, with the proceeds of which they paid high bounties and procured recruits. Subscriptions were raised in some districts for the same purpose. A class of middle men. called recruit, or bounty, agents, sprang up, who, in bidding for recruits, sometimes gave as high as $700 or $800 for men to fill quotas. Under this stimulus recruiting went on pretty lively, while a considerable number of men were drafted and sent to fill old regiments. On July 18th came an- other call for five hundred thousand, and this again produced a new struggle to fill quotas. The entire number of men apportioned to our state up to this time was 21,442.
That these frequent and heavy drafts for men produced a feeling of doubt and despondeney can not be denied. It was now the fourth year of the war, and its end still seemed far off. while its rapa- cious maw appeared to literally swallow up the enormous levies which the people in their pride and patriotism promptly furnished at each call. There was mourning in nearly every household for some " unreturning brave," and suffering in the families of enlisted men.
The inflation of the currency also produced an unheard-of rise in the price of living. On June 1 gold was 150. On July 11th it had reached 285-the highest point during the war. All other values advanced accordingly. There was some silver lining to the dark cloud, though. The great advance in goods literally made the for- tunes of many dealers. 'Even real estate began to show lifc, while there was an ease in the money
market which reminded one of 1857. Several of our railroads were now in active progress, and labor was in great demand. The continued drouth and low water was a serious drawback, however. Prayers were put up in most of the churches for rain.
Small raids were made by the Sioux several times during the summer, and several persons killed, but these attacks occasioned but little alarm.
On July 13th, our Fifth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth Regiments were in the Battle of Tupelo, and all suffered some loss. The Seventh had nine killed and fifty-two wounded. Col. Wilkin, of the Ninth, was killed-one of the bravest and finest officers who left our state.
Under the call of July 23d. an eleventh regi- ment of infantry was authorized, and filled very quickly. James Gilfillan, formerly of the Sev- enth, was appointed colonel. The Eleventh left the state on Sept. 22d, for Tennessee, where it performed guard duty for several months.
A battalion of heavy infantry was also re- cruited, which was soon increased to a full regi- iment. W'm. Colville. late of the First Regiment, was placed in command. The regiment served for several months at Chattanooga, Tenn.
The bullets of the enemy were not so disas- trous to some of our regiments, as the malaria of southern swamps. Our Sixth Regiment at Helena, and the Third at Pine Bluff, Ark., were both decimated by disease. Sometimes only a handful of men were found well enough for duty.
On October 5th, the Fourth Regiment was in a heavy action at Altoona, and captured two flags. Their loss was killed, 13 ; wounded, 31.
On December 7th, the Eighth Regiment took part in an engagement near Murfreesboro, Tenn- essee, in which it lost 14 killed and 76 wounded, in a charge on the enemy's batteries.
On December 16th, the Fifth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth Regiments took part in the great bat- tle of Nashville, between Thomas's and Hood's armies. All suffered loss, though fortunately not severe.
On December 19th, another call was made, for 300,000 troops, and the recruiting and bounty business grew more intense than ever, and con- tinued all winter.
During this time, the patriotic people of our
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State were contributing with generous liberality to the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, to various relief movements, to special hospital funds of our various regiments, for the support of destitute soldiers' families, and individual cases of distress without number. No State in the Union did more, proportioned to their means, in these works, than the people of Minnesota.
THE YEAR 1865
opened with more encouraging prospects. The large forces of the Union army were gaining sub- stantial victories. The successes of Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, Sherman in his historic march to the sea, " crushing the confederacy like an eggshell," and Grant, doggedly consuming the enemy at Petersburg, were fast shattering the rebellion. In the siege of Spanish Fort, at Mobile, in April, the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth Minnesota Volunteers bore an active and honorable part.
Not unmingled with tears were the rejoicings over these victories. Every battle bulletin brought sorrow and mourning to many homes in our state. On April 3d came the great news of the fall of Richmond, and on April 8th, while the people celebrating this event, the dispatch of General Grant announcing the unconditional surrender of Lee and his army was received, setting nearly everybody crazy with joy. On April 13th the provost marshals received an order to cease draft- ing and recruiting, and the war was practically over. One of its saddest results was yet to come -the death of President Lincoln, on April 15th. This calamity was duly observed in all the towns of the State, on April 19th, by suspension of business, and religious services. These gloomy feelings were soon dispelled, however, by the
RETURN OF OUR REGIMENTS,
early in the summer, and their muster out at Fort Snelling. As each of these bodies of brave men returned, they were received with such ovations and demonstrations of joy as a grateful people could devise. Quietly our soldiers "hung up their bruised arms," and were soon again ab- sorbed into the body of the people. In all, Min- nesota had furnished to the armies of the repub-
lic 25,052 men, or about one seventh of its entire population at the beginning of the war. Of these, it is estimated from the best data obtaina- ble, that 2500 were killed in battle and died of disease during the war, while probably twice as many more received wounds from which they will suffer through life. Many died shortly after the war, from the effects of disease or imprison- ment incurred in service. In her devotion to the cause of the Union, our State has a bright record.
The state was almost free from Indian raids during all this year. Only one of any moment occurred. On May 2d a family of five persons named Jewett, were murdered near Garden City. A half breed named Campbell, who aided in the raid, was arrested at Mankato several days afterward, and hung by a mob.
The census of 1865, showed a population of 250,099-a gratifying increase, considering the war of secession and the Indian war as draw- backs.
With the close of the war a new era of pros- perity seemed to have begun in the state. Money was abundant, immigration brisk, labor in de- mand, and real estate advancing. Our railroads were in rapid progress in all directions, and vil- lages and towns springing up everywhere.
On Nov. 11th, at Fort Snelling, Shakopee and Medicine Bottle, two Sioux convicted of taking part in the massacre of 1862, were hung. They had fled to Manitoba, and were not caught until 1864.
This fall much excitement was occasioned by the reported discovery of gold quartz at Lake Vermillion. Several mining companies were formed, and veins opened and worked, but the yield did not pay, and the mines were soon aban- doned.
The state election this year was very feebly contested. Two well-known old settlers were nominated for governor, but the vote was light. Wm. R. Marshall received 17,318 and Henry M. Rice 13,842. At the same election an amend- ment to the constitution was voted on, proposing to confer the elective franchise on negroes, but was defeated.
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PRINCIPAL EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1881.
CHAPTER XXIX.
PRINCIPAL EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1881.
& Period of Inflation. -- Rapid Railroad Construction. -. Proposed Removal of the Capital .- Attempted Adjustment of the Railroad Bonds .--. Legislative Control of Freight Tariffs. -- Prairie Fires in 1871 .-- An Aretie Cyclone .-. Impeachment of State Treasurer .- The Jay Cooke Panie. --- Regulating Railroad Tariffs .... Grasshopper Ravages .--- Suffering on the Frontier .--- Relief Measures Adopted by the Legislature .--- Murderous Raid by Missouri Outlaws. - Further Attempts to Adjust the Railroad Loan Debt .--- End of the Grasshopper Becarge .--- Return of "Good Times," and Rapid Growth in Prosperity.
The year 1866 was one of great financial ease. The large expenditure of money by the govern- ment, in the pay of discharged troops, bounties, and various war claims, made money unusually plenty.
The railroads of the State were pushed this year with great vigor. By winter, 815 miles were in operation. There was a continuous line from St. Cloud, via Owatonna, to Winona, a distance of 245 miles. These roads were an important element in aiding the settlement and business of the State. Formerly the sole dependence for travel and freight had been on the river, and the . winter was a season of dullness and depression. This was now largely changed.
At the State election in the fall of 1867, Wm. R. Marshall had 34,874 votes, and Charles E. Flandrau 29,502. This would indicate a popula- tion of about 320,000, showing a heavy immigra- tion during the years 1866 and 1867. At this election, a negro suffrage amendment was again voted on and defeated. The following year [1868] the amendment was a third time voted on, and adopted; ayes, 39,493; noes, 30,121.
PROPOSED REMOVAL OF THE CAPITAL.
At the session of the legislature in 1869, a bill was introduced to remove the seat of government to a spot near Big Kandiyohi Lake. The bill was at first regarded as a joke, and it met with small opposition, passing both houses with little delay. Gov. Marshall vetoed the measure, and an at- tempt to pass the act over his veto, failed.
At this session, the legislature celebrated the completion of an all-rail route to the east by a
visit to Milwaukee, and to the Wisconsin legisla- ture at Madison.
At the state election in the fall of 1869, Horace Austin (rep.) was elected governor, by a vote of 27,348, over George L. Otis (dem.), who had 25,401. .
By the census of 1870, Minnesota was found to have 439,706 population.
PROPOSED ADJUSTMENT OF THE RAILROAD BONDS.
At the session of the Legislature in 1870, an act was passed submitting to the people an amendment to the constitution, providing for the sale of the five hundred thousand acres of what was known as the "Internal Improvement Lands," and the use of the proceeds in extin- guishing the state railroad loan bonds, in the fol- lowing manner: Two thousand of the bonds were to be deposited with the State Land Commis- sioner on or before the day of sale, by the hold- ers, they agreeing to purchase with them the lands at $8.70 per acre, etc. The amendment was adopted by a popular vote, but as only 1,082 bonds were deposited by the owners, the measure failed.
The unusual low water of 1863, '64 and '65 had now given way to a series of years of the oppo- site extreme. In 1870 occurred great freshets, doing much damage, and the water was reported "higher than for twenty years."
Railroad construction had been pushed with great vigor for the last year or two. At the close of 1870, there were 1,096 miles in operation, 329 of which were built that year. A road had been completed to Lake Superior during the season, thus connecting the river and lake systems, while the Northern Pacific Railroad was under full headway.
During 1869 and '70, much complaint was made by shippers, of unjust charges by the railroads of
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the State. Governor Austin, in his message, January, 1871, called attention to the subject very pointedly. An investigation was made by a legislative committee, which resulted in the en- actment of a freight and passenger tariff, and the creation of the office of Railroad Commissioner. The tariff so fixed was disregarded by the rail- roads, and in 1871, an action, as a sort of test case under the statute, was commenced by John D. Blake, of Rochester, against the Winona and St. Peter Railroad, for unjust freight charges. The presiding judge decided the act unconstitu- tional, but the Supreme Court of the State re- versed this decision, when the railroad company appealed the case to the Supreme Court of the United States. It was not until 1876 that a de- cision was rendered, sustaining the right of legis- lative control over railroad tariffs.
An act was passed by the legislature of 1871 to "Test the validity and provide for the equitable adjustment" of the State railroad bonds, by the creation of a commission, to ascertain and award the amount due on each. The act was voted on in May following, and rejected by the people. Another important measure passed at the same session, was an act dividing up the 500,000 acres of Internal Improvement Land, among various railroad companies. This was vetoed by Gov. Austin. Two years later the constitution was amended so that no act disposing of these lands should be valid, unless approved by a vote of the people.
In the fall of 1871, destructive fires, driven by high winds, swept over a number of frontier counties, lasting several days, and inflicting great damage on the settlers. Hundreds lost their houses, crops, hay, fences, etc., and several per- sons were burned to death. During the summer, many had also lost their crops by destructive hail- storms. Gov. Austin appealed to the people of the state, by proclamation, for aid for the suffer- ers. He received in response $14.000 in money. and clothing, provisions, etc., worth $11,000 more, while the next legislature appropriated $20,000 for the purpose of purchasing seed wheat for those who had lost their crops.
In November, 1871, Horace Austin was re- elected governor, by a vote of 45,833, over W. Young, who had 30,092.
From 1870 to 1873. was a period of great infla- tion and speculation. The money market was unprecedentedly easy, and real estate partook of the same excitement as characterized the flush times of 1856 and 1857. Railroad building was carried on to a remarkable extent, and the entire State was enjoying an unusual period of material progress and development.
The winter of 1872-3 was an unusually early and severe one. On January 7th, 8th and 9th. 1873. occurred an " Arctic Cyclone ", or ". Polar Wave ", of a violence and intensity never before experienced in this State. The worst effects were felt in the prairie region. Gov. Austin, in a spe- cial message to the legislature, reported that sev- enty lives were lost, thirty-one persons suffered loss of limbs, and about three hundred cattle and horses perished. The legislature voted $5.000 as a relief fund to aid sufferers.
During the session of 1873, charges of corrupt conduct and misdemeanors in office, were made against Wm. Seeger, State Treasurer. On March 5th, the House of Representatives impeached hin. and the Senate. on being presented with the arti- cles. appointed May 20th as the date to sit as a Court of Impeachment. Prior to that date. Mr. Seeger resigned his office, and Gov. Austin ac- cepted the resignation. When the Senate met on May 20th, this fact left that body uncertain whether to proceed with the trial or not. On May 22d, Mr. Seeger sent in a written plea of " guilty" to all the charges. A resolution was then adopted by the Senate. declaring that the judgment of the court was, that he be removed from office. and disqualified to hold and enjoy any office of honor. trust or profit in this State.
On September 19th, 1873. the news was circu- lated in this State, of the failure of Jay Cooke's banking house in Philadelphia, occasioning a financial panic. Its effects here were far dif- ferent from those of the panic of 1857. There was some stringency in the money market, rail- road building ceased, and real estate was very dull for several years, but not a bank in the State closed its doors. and but few mercantile houses failed, Immigration was large, good harvests added annually to the wealth of the State, and it advanced steadily in prosperity.
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THE GRASSHOPPER SCOURGE.
During the summer of 1873, a species of grass- hopper, called the "Rocky Mountain Locust," made its appearance in myriads, in some of the south-western counties, almost totally destroying the crops. Hundreds of families were left in great destitution. These facts being reported by the press, an energetic movement was made in the towns and cities in the eastern portion of the state, to send relief to the sufferers, and large quantities of clothing, provisions, medical sup- plies, etc., were collected and distributed to them, beside quite an amount of money.
At the state election this year, Cushman K. Davis was elected governor, by a vote of 40,741, over Ara Barton, who had 35.245.
When the Legislature of 1874 assembled, it promptly voted $5,000 for the temporary relief of the frontier settlers, and on March 2nd, a further sum of $25,000 for the purchase of seed grain. With the aid thus furnished, the settlers planted their crops again, but soon the ground was fairly alive with young grasshoppers, hatched from eggs deposited the year previous. As soon as these were large enough, they laid bare the region about them, then fell on other localities near by, and thus destroyed the crops in a number of coun- ties again. The people were once more in a state of great destitution.
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