History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 26

Author: Warner, George E; Foote, Charles M., joint author; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota. 1n; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 26

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RELIEF MEASURES FOR THE REFUGEES.

The condition of the poor refugees from the ravaged districts, was deplorable in the extreme. In St. Peter alone, there were in September, as many as 6,000 or 7,000 for some days, and at one time 8,000. In St. Paul there were 1,000, and at Minneapolis an equal number, and all the towns had more or less. They were all destitute of money, clothing, employment, &c., and many were sick, while not a few were actually insane from trouble and grief. The active exertions of citizens of St. Peter alone prevented great suffer- ing there, but their means were soon exhausted. They then appealed through the papers for aid, and Governor Ramsey appointed commissioners to receive and disburse supplies. About $20,000 in money was contributed, half of which came from eastern cities, while large quantities of cloth- ing were collected by local relief committees, in St. Paul and other places. The Legislature, when it met, voted $25,000 more. These amounts relieved the worst cases of need. In October, most of those whose homes had not been des- troyed returned to them, and the number of des- titute rapidly decreased. Several hundred, how- ever, were supported all winter. Fortunately, laborers had now become scarce, and wages en- hanced, so that all could get employment. The building of railroads went along unchecked in the midst of all the panic. The Winona and St. Peter Railroad completed about ten miles of road this fall.

NEGOTIATIONS FOR RELEASE OF THE PRIS- ONERS.

Before leaving the battle-field of Birch Coolie, Col. Sibley left the following note attached to a stake:

" If Little Crow has any proposition to make to me, let him send a half-breed to me, and he shall be protected in and out of camp.

"H. H. SIBLEY,

" Col. Com'g Mil. Exped'n."

Col. Sibley had reason to believe that their re- peated defeats had discouraged the foe, and ne- gotiations could be made with the disaffected Indians, and those tired of fighting, for the re- lease of the prisoners. This note bore good fruit very soon.

It was now evident that all the marauding bands from the interior had been called in, and that the Indians would oppose the column on its march with all their combined forces.

Col. Sibley ordered the Third regiment, then at Glencoe, to join his command, and it reached Fort Ridgely on Sept. 13th.

Meantime Col. Sibley's note had been shown Little Crow on his return from the raid on the Big Woods settlers, and A. J. Campbell, a half- breed who acted as his secretary, read it to him. Crow at once dictated a reply, blaming Galbraith and the traders for wronging them, and enumer- ating some grievances which caused the war. He requested an answer. This note reached Col. Sibley at Fort Ridgely on Sept. 7th. Col. S. at once replied demanding that Little Crow should release the prisoners, and he would then treat with him. On Sept. 12th a reply was received from Crow, saying that the Mdewakantons had 150 prisoners, and other bands some more. He said: "I want to know from you, as a friend, what way I can make peace for my people." Col. Sibley at once replied, urging Crow to give up the prisoners, and complaining that he had allowed his young men to kill nine more whites since he sent the first letter. The same -courier who brought Little Crow's letter also brought one pri- vately from the chief Wabasha, and Taopi, a Christian Indian. They asserted that they were forced into the war, and were now anxious to make peace, and if a chance offered they would come in and give themselves up, with all their prisoners. Col. Sibley replied to this message urging them to do so, and promising them pro- tection, adding that he was now strong enough to crush all the Indians who held out.

When this letter was received by Wabasha and his friends who wished to separate from the other Indians, a great dispute arose among all the bands. Indeed, disaffection and jealousy had been brewing ever since the outbreak. The pris- oners were in great peril and might have been murdered. But at last all worked out well, and

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the friendly and repentant Indians carried the day.

The War Department had meantime created Minnesota and Dakota into a military depart- ment, and appointed Gen. John Pope to the com- mand. He reached St. Paul on Sept. 12th, and established his headquarters there. The

EXTRA SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE,

called by the Governor, met on September 9th, and adjourned on September 29th. The legisla- tion was mostly in regard to matters growing out of the Indian war. A. Board of Auditors was created to adjust claims growing out of the mas- sacre, and $75,000 was appropriated to settle them. Congress was memorialized to reimburse the State for this outlay. A Board of Commis- sioners was authorized to collect names of slain, and the facts of their death, &c. [This was never done.] The sum of $25,000 was voted for the relief of indigent refugees. Congress was also memorialized for the removal of the Winneba- goes from the State.

THE NEW REGIMENTS,

(the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th) which had been hurried off to the frontier, half organized, were, by this time, completely organized and mustered in. The Colonels were appointed as follows : Sixth, Wm. Crooks ; Seventh, Stephen Miller ; Eighth, Minor T. Thomas ; Ninth, Alex. Wilkin ; Tenth, James H. Baker.

BATTLE OF WOOD LAKE.

Col. Sibley, after the arrival of the Third Regi- ment and the supplies and ammunition he had needed, broke camp, on Sept. 18th, and started in pursuit of the Indians at or near Yellow Medi- cine. On the morning of Sept. 23d, while en- camped near Wood Lake, the Indians suddenly attacked the force. The Renville Rangers were thrown out, and met the enemy bravely. Maj. Welch soon had the Third Regiment in line, and they poured steady volleys into the advancing line of Indians, as did also the Sixth Regiment, under Maj. McLaren. The fight then became general. Lieutenant Colonel Marshall charged the enemy with three companies of the Seventh and A of the Sixth, and put them to rout. The bat- tle had lasted an hour and a half. Our loss was four killed and fifty wounded; among the latter,

Maj. Welch. The Indians lost quite a number- thirty, it is said-fifteen being found dead on the field. After burying the dead, Col. Sibley marched toward Lac qui Parle, near which place Wabasha had notified him he would meet him and deliver up the prisoners.

RELEASE OF THE CAPTIVES.

On September 26th the column arrived at the camp where the friendly Indians had the prison- ers, and made their own near by. It was oppo- site the mouth of the Chippewa River, and was named by our men "Camp Release." Col. Sibley without delay visited the Indians and demanded the captives. They were at once produced, nearly two hundred and fifty in number. Many. wept with joy at their release ; others had grown almost indifferent. These poor people-mostly women and children-were sent as soon as possi- ble to their friends, if the latter were still living.

The Indians who had given themselves up were at once placed under guard nntil they could be examined as to their guilt. During the next few days a number came in and gave themselves up, and some smaller parties were captured soon after by our troops under Lt. Col. Marshall, so that soon our force had over 2,000 Indian war- riors in their hands. Col. Sibley at once organized a military commission, composed of Col. Crooks, Lt. Col. Marshall, and Capt. Grant, with I. V. D. Heard as judge advocate, to examine all evi- dence against the Indians, and indicate the guilty ones. Another commission of five officers was appointed to try the accused.

These commissions continued at work until November 5th, by which time they had found three hundred and twenty-one Indians guilty of murder, ravishing, and other crimes, and sen- tenced three hundred and three to death. These were at once removed to South Bend, there to await the orders of the president. The other Indians and their familis were taken to Fort Snelling and confined all winter in a stockade.

CLOSE OF THE INDIAN WAR.

Meantime Little Crow and the still hostile In- dians had retreated into Dakota, and before win- ter reached Devil's Lake, where they remained until the next season. As the war in this State was now practically over, most of the settlers whose homes had not been destroyed returned to

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them. The Third Minnesota regiment, and the Twenty-fifth Wis. and Twenty-seventh Iowa, were sent south before winter, but the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Minn., with the Mounted Rangers, were retained for home service, and were stationed in detachments in a cordon of posts reaching from the south line of the State across the frontier to St. Cloud. The country between the garrisons was carefully scouted and patrolled, so that no hostile Indians could pass the line. On November 25th, Gen. Pope removed his headquarters to Milwaukee, and Brig. Gen. Sibley (for such he was made after the battle of Wood Lake) remained in command at St. Paul. The winter passed without any hostilities.

OUR REGIMENTS IN THE SOUTH

had not been idle meantime. On Sept. 4th the Fifth Regiment was in the battle at Corinth, and under fire some time. One account says: " The ground in front of us was covered with killed and wounded rebels." The Fifth suffered a loss of six killed, eighteen wounded and three missing. The Fourth Regiment was also in the same fight, and lost, during two days' fighting, three killed and nine wounded. The Fourth Regiment was also hotly engaged at the battle of Iuka, on Sept. 19th. It lost three killed, four wounded, two missing.

At Corinth, Oct. 3d and 4th, the Fourth also bore an active share, losing three killed and five wounded. " The regiment bore itself most gal- lantly," says an official report. In the same en- gagements the Fifth Minnesota also shared, ex- pending about fifty rounds of ammunition, with which they made deadly work among the enemy, losing six killed, sixteen wounded, and four miss- ing. The First Battery were also in this en-

gagement, and did good work, having only one man wounded.

THE FIRST REGIMENT

also bore its share during this period. At the Battle of Antietam, on Sept. 17th, it was closely engaged, and left ninety men dead or mor- tally wounded on the field. Their bodies now rest in the national cemetery there.

The First also participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, on December 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th, during which it lost nine wounded and one missing.

EXECUTION OF THE INDIAN MURDERERS.

The three hundred and three Indian murderers were kept at South Bend a short time and then removed to Mankato, where they were confined in a stone warehouse strongly guarded. Mean- time, some (so called) " philanthropists," princi- pally Quakers, at Philadelphia and other eastern cities, interfered in the matter, and got up a strong pressure on President Lincoln to pardon the guilty wretches. This was resisted by the prominent men and officials of Minnesota, the people of the State almost unanimously demand- ing their execution, and threatening, if it were not done, to apply lynch law to them. President Lincoln selected thirty - nine of the murderers, and (on December 6th) ordered General Sibley to execute them. This was carried into effect on December 26th, at Mankato, (one, meantime, dying of disease). Thirty-eight of the savages were swung off of one scaffold, in the presence of a large concourse of people. The rest of the mur- derers were imprisoned until spring, then taken to Davenport, Iowa, where they were confined a few months, after which they were removed to a reservation on the Missouri river, and set at liberty.

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CLOSE OF THE INDIAN WAR AND THE WAR OF SECESSION.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

CLOSE OF THE INDIAN WAR AND THE WAR OF SECESSION.

Events of the Year 1863 .- Scattering Raids on the Frontier .- A Scalp Bounty Offered .- Renioval of the Sioux and Winnebagoes .- Gen. Sibley's Expedition of 1863 .- Brave Conduct of the Third, Fourth and Fifth Regiments .- The First at Gettysburg .- Death of Little Crow .- Gen. Sibley's Column Attacked by the Sioux .- Remarkable Drought in 1863-64 .- Three More Regiments sent South. -Return of the First Regiment .- Gen. Sibley's Expedition in 1864 .- Heavy Drafts for Men .- Inflation and High Prices .- Battles in which Minnesota Troops Took Part .- Union Victories, -- Close of the War .- Return of our Troops .... The State's Share in the Conflict. ... A new Era of Material Prosperity Begun.

The winter of 1862-'63 was spent by Gen. Sib- ley in making preparations for an expedition to the Missouri River, to pursue and punish the hostile Sioux. A third battery of light artillery was recruited for this purpose, and John Jones, the gallant defender of Fort Ridgely, appointed captain. At the session of the legislature, Gov. Ramsey was elected U. S. Senator, but did not vacate the gubernatorial chair until June 30th.

Early in the spring, small parties of Sioux be- gan to make predatory incursions into the state, and these raids continued all summer. Some twenty persons were killed, in all, and a num- ber of horses stolen. The Indians were pur- sued by troops in every case, and a number of them killed. A reward of $25 was offered by the Adjutant General for Sioux scalps, and afterwards raised to $200.

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 1863 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.

DEATHI OF LITTLE CROW.

During June, a band of seventeen Indians greatly annoyed the settlers in Meeker and Kandi- yohi counties, killing several. On July 3d, 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 IIenry 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 6thi 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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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 life, 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. Wm. 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 IIelena, 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

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