History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 64

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1198

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As future experience disclosed, the Indian war which was inaugurated by Little Crow in Minnesota in August, 1862, was terminated with the conclusion of this campaign. The causes of the long and costly and unprecedented insur- rection have already been sufficiently referred to. While a period of comparative peace ensued for some years following, the repeated efforts of the whites to open the Black Hills, and the building of the Union Pacific Railroad and the surveys for the Northern Pacific later, served to keep the Indian mind in a state of irritation and antagonistic. The redmen complained of these projects, which, with the increase of travel through what they called their country, drove away their game and deprived them of their subsistence.

This condition could not be avoided ; the Government recognized it, and was abundantly prepared to make up the deficiency and much more. In fact it was even then supplying to its Indian wards generous supplies of food and clothing.

CAPTAIN NELSON MINER'S REPORT

Northwestern Indiun Expedition, Camp First Battalion, Dakota Cavalry, Deerkill Mountain. August 2. 1804.

Sir :-- I have the honor to report that in the battle of the 28th of July. 1861, my command was held in reserve for a time in rear of the battery of the First Brigade until a space occurred in the skirmishers on the left between the Eighth Minnesota Infantry and the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, when I was sent with Company A, of my command, to occupy sud space. When, after driving the Indians for some two miles, a large force of Indians appeared on the hill in front of us, when we charged up the hill and fired several volleys at short range, with good effect, when Captain Pope, with his battery, Company B. of my command, Company M, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and the Nebraska scouts, came prompthy to my

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support, which caused the Indians to retreat. I then, with Company A, Dakota Cavalry, passed to the left of a hill which was in our front, when the battery, with Company B of my command, went to the right, when after a little skirmishing the Indians went up the mountains, which were in front of the command. We then halted and soon after returned and camped with the rest of the command on the battlefield. At an early hour next morning, after ascertaining that it was impossible to follow the Indians farther with any pros- pect of success, I went to the Indian camp with both companies of my command, in accordance with orders, for the purpose of destroying the property of said Indians, and although several other companies were at work destroying the property of the Indians, my two companies destroyed some seven hundred skin lodges, a large quantity of buffalo robes, camp equipage and provisions. The casualties in my command were only one soldier, of Com- pany A, slightly wounded. In conclusion, I beg leave to state that in my opinion great wisdom was displayed in the conducting of said battle by our most worthy general. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, NELSON MINER,

Captain, Commanding Dakota Cavalry.

BRIG. GEN. ALFRED SULLY, Commanding Expedition.

This was the only official report of any battle in which the Dakota troops were engaged. They took part in several skirmishes at Sioux Falls, Yankton, and on Sully's march up the Missouri Valley, and were employed extensively in scouting and patrol duty.

From the report of Col. M. T. Thomas, colonel of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteers, who commanded the Minnesota brigade on its march across Central Dakota in 1864, to the Missouri River, and joined General Sully opposite, or a few miles above, the mouth of the Cannon Ball River :

Headquarters Minnesota Brigade, Northwestern Indian Expedition, Fort Ridgely, Minnesota, October 9, 1864.

Captain : I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the Minne- sota or Second Brigade of the Northwestern Indian Expedition, ordered from this district to join Brigadier General Sully on the Missouri River :

The force, consisting of the Eighth Minnesota Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, mounted; six companies of the Second Minnesota Cavalry Volunteers ; one section of six-pounder smooth bore guns, and one section of twelve-pounder mountain howitzers, all brass pieces; a corps of forty-five scouts, with a train of ninety-three six-mule teams and twelve ambulances, was rendezvoused at this camp on the Ist day of June, 1864, and took up the line of march on the 6th day of June, with thirty days' rations, via the Minnesota and Intpah rivers and Captain Sully's Trail, to Goose Nest Lake on the Minnesota Coteau; from thence to the James River below the mouth of Elm River; from thence to the headwaters of said river, at the foot of the Missouri Coteau, across it to the Bois Cache Creek, and down to Swan Lake Creek, which we struck at a point seven miles from the Missouri River, and joined General Sully's command on the 30th day of June, having marched 332 miles. July 4th, marched for Long Lake River; arrived on the 8th, ninety-nine miles. Opposite this point General Sully located Fort Rice, above the month of the Cannon Ball River. The whole command crossed the river on steamboats and prepared for a campaign against the Indians, which prepara- tions consumed eleven days. Leaving Fort Rice on the 19th of July, marching up the Cannon Ball River for five days, nearly a west course, thence one day's march to the Heart River, 110 miles. At this point the main train, with 125 Idaho emigrant wagons that had followed us from Minnesota, were corralled, and, taking six days' rations in light wagons, started north in search of the Indian camp, reported to be on Knife River. On the third day after crossing Knife River we arrived in sight of the enemy's camp. located on a plateau, or succession of rough land, with great rugged buttes overhanging it. The position for defense and safety could not have been better, being protected in front by almost impass- able wooded ravines, and in rear, as soon as the hills were ascended, through narrow chasms, they were safe from pursuit, except from dismounted men or the equally active Indian ponies belonging to the enemy. For particulars of the engagement please refer to my official report to Brigadier General Sully, of the date of July 28 and 29. Returned to Heart River July 30th, having marched in six days 172 miles, and fought the battle of Tah-kah-o-kuty.

Starting from this point August 3d, we reached the Little Missouri River August 7th, 831/2 miles. At this point the Indians again made their appearance, and made some slight offensive demonstrations, which were casily quieted. The country for sixteen miles before reaching the river had been of the most terrible and indescribable character, and continued so for twenty miles beyond.

On the morning of the 8th of August, in making an egress from the river bottom, the battle of the Little Missouri, or "The Hills That Look at Each Other," commenced and was fought during that and the succeeding day. ( A report of the operations of the brigade during the battles of that date enclosed. )

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From the best information it has been ascertained that the Indians that were first encountered at Tah-kah-o-kuty had been largely reenforced by other bands and returned war parties, and had collected at this point to oppose us, and certainly felt confident, with the advantages of position ( which could not have been better chosen), of an easy victory.

It certainly was the largest body of Indians ever assembled on the American Continent to fight a battle.

The Minnesota Brigade, having the advance in the battle of the 8th instant, had the honor of encountering this immense horde, and fighting nearly all of them through the day, whipping and driving them about twelve miles. Commencing at 7 A. M., the fight was continued until dark of a long summer day, without water, and the thermometer at 110 degrees in the shade. Over buttes, through ravines, rocks, and stones, the wild yells and rapid dashes of the savages, the troops pressed forward with a courage and untiring energy that rapidly overcame all obstacles, and night closed the wild wake, and the men laid down on their arms in line of battle, eager for the morning's light to again commence the work of death. Hundreds of the savages lay along the hillsides and ravines. Our loss was but seven wounded, and a few horses. During the 9th instant they entirely disappeared, and our march was continued to the Yellowstone River, over a country almost devoid of water or grass, and two-thirds rations for the men, a distance of 104 miles.

The remainder of Colonel Thomas' report, so far as it relates to the rettirn march to Fort Rice, is stibstantially the same as the report of General Sully, given in former pages. Of his return march to Minnesota, Colonel Thomas gives but a brief account, as follows :

Having been relieved at Fort Rice from duty with the Northwestern Indian Expedition, the Minnesota Brigade started for Fort Wadsworth September 15th, marched by way of Long Lake, crossing the James River a few miles below the Bone Hills, and reaching Wads- worth September 26th, distance, 200 miles. Having been directed to relieve the battalion of the Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry at this post, Major Rose, with companies B. C. 1) and 11. Second Minnesota Cavalry, was detached for that purpose. Major Clowney's Bat- talion, on being relieved, joined the command, marching on the 20th of September, and reaching this post ( Fort Ridgely ) October 8th, four months and three days after our departure. In that time we have marched 1,625 miles. The behavior of both officers and men has been all that could be desired.

General Sully had left but a small force to guard the settlements during the absence of his expedition. There was, all told, about two hundred and forty sokliers distributed through the settlements between the Big Sioux River and Choteatt Creek, a distance of 150 miles, and despite their unwearying vigilance, small bands of from three to ten bold hostiles would penetrate the patrol line, commit some depredations, inflame the mind of the settlers, and make their escape.

Governor Edmunds, for the purpose of preventing these damaging incur- sions, isstted the following order :

The calamities which have recently fallen upon the border settlers in our neighboring territory, Nebraska, extending into the State of Kansas, from roving bands of hostile Indians, should admonish all citizens living on the border, or in the immediate vicinity of the Indian country, that, as a precautionary measure they should prepare to meet the wily foe. While I. at the present time, see no greater cause to apprehend an attack on our settlements than heretofore, still, inasmuch as roving bands of hostile Indians are committing depredations upon our neighbors, I have deemed it a matter of duty to call the attention of our citizens to this very important subject, that they may be fully advised. and take such steps as may be thought necessary to place themselves in the best possible state of defense.

Now, therefore, 1. Newton Edmunds, governor and commander-in-chief of the militia of the territory, do order as follows, viz. :

All male citizens liable to perform militia duty under the laws of the territory are hereby ordered to assemble at the place and time designated below and enroll their names preparatory to being formed into companies. After the enrollment on the days designated the citizens thus enrolled will at once proceed to the election of officers to take command of the men enrolled at the various rendezvous. Each list of forty to sixty names will proceed to choose one captain, one first and second lieutenant, who will, upon a list being forwarded to the commander-in-chief at headquarters, be commissioned to the grades, respectively, to which they have been elected. Five sergeants and eight corporals will be allowed to each company. Where sixty or more names are enrolled, two or more companies may be formed. The enro Il-

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ment at all points will begin at 10 o'clock A. M. on Thursday, the 8th day of September, 1804, at the following named rendezvous :

Brule Creek, U'nion County, at Richland.

Big Stone Foint, Union County, at Twelve Mile Hotel.

Elk Point, Umnon County, at Elk Point Hotel.

Clay County, east of the Vermillion River, at Vermillion.

Between the Vermillion and Dakota rivers, at Peter Emerson's.

Yankton County, west of the Dakota River, at Yankton.

Bon llomme County, already enrolled.

Charles Mix County, at Major Hauntter's, near Fort Randall.

Todd County, at the Ponca Agency.

Upon receiving notice of the enrollment and organization of companies, steps will be taken at once to distribute arms and ammunition to the various companies in proportion to the number enrolled and officers.

Witness my hand and the great seal of the territory, at Yankton, Dakota Territory, August 29, 1804. NEWTON EDMUNDS, [SEAL ] Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Militia. Attest :

JOHN HUTCHINSON, Secretary.

Lieut. T. Elwood Clark, of Company B, Dakota Cavalry, was left by General Sully in charge of the military stores at Yankton in 1864, and had also a com- mand of forty-two men of the Sixth Iowa Volunteers. With this force he built a very substantial log fort about six miles southeast of Yankton, on James River. Its dimensions were liberal and intended to accommodate 100 soldiers. With his small force of soldiers and formidable fort, which he named Fort Hutchinson, he exerted a strong and favorable influence in allaying the anxiety of the set- tlers regarding the Indians, who continued to be disturbed by apprehensions of undersight raids, greatly hindering the settlement and improvement of the land. There was also a detachment of Iowa troops at Vermillion, and on the Big Sioux, at Brule Creek, was stationed Company M of the Sixth Iowa, who built a small fort and patrolled the country as far west as James River. Another small force was stationed at Sioux Falls, and still another at Turkey Creek crossing of the Sioux Falls and Yankton wagon road ; in all 246 soldiers, who patrolled the country from the Big Sioux River to Choteau Creek. The presence of these troops and their efficient vigilance, together with the friendly and timely acts of the Yankton Indians, served in great measure to quiet the apprehensions of the exposed settlers, who were engaged in making farms and building homes on the prairies.

General Sully made the following disposition of troops in this military division for the winter by an order issued November 15, 1864.

One battalion of the Seventh lowa Cavalry at Sioux Falls, Lieutenant Colonel Pattice commanding.

Companies E and F, same regiment, on the northern frontier of Iowa, in small detachments.

Company I, Sixth Jowa, and a detachment of Companies A and B, Dakota Cavalry, at Fort Yankton. This fort was six miles north on the James River.

Companies A and B, Dakota Cavalry, were assigned to duty at Vermillion, Bon Homme, Choteau Creek, Yankton Agency and Fort Randall. Headquarters Company A, Captain Mimer, at Vermillion ; headquarters company B, Captain Tripp, Yankton Agency.

Companies A, L and M, Sixth Iowa, Fort Randall, Major Galligan command- ing battalion ; Colonel Pollock in command of the fort.

Companies of Iowa troops were stationed at Crow Creek ; Lieutenant Berst, Fort Sully ; Major Home in charge at Fort Berthold, Iowa troops.

This disposition of troops gave general satisfaction. There was little appre- hension of Indian raids during the winter, and would have been none whatever had it been known that the hostile Indians had been so terribly defeated by Sibley and Sully during the summer, their arms and ammunition destroyed and themselves scattered in small bands along the upper river, eking out a bare and scanty living by begging at the military posts and from friendly Indian tribes.

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Regarding the Indian wars in Dakota, beginning in 1862 and ending in 1864-65, one fact should be remembered. The immediate cause of Indian hos- tilities did not arise in Dakota. The war began with the Little Crow uprising and slaughter of whites in Minnesota in August of that year. Prior to 1862, the Dakota Indians had been on a peace footing with the whites and the Great Father for a score of years, and to all appearances seemed inclined to peaceful relations up to the time of the Minnesota massacre. But the hostile flame kindled in Minnesota spread with great rapidity until it enveloped the entire Sioux nation and threatened the peace of the entire Northwest. In magnitude it exceeded all the Indian wars in which our Government had been engaged; the wide theater embraced in the hostile country ; the difficulties which confronted the armies sent to subdue the savages; the formidable character of the enemy in numbers, in confidence, skilled in warfare and well supplied with modern firearms-all gave the Indians an advantage they had never before possessed in their armed con- flicts with the whites. If this condition was not more freely and generally recog- nized and acknowledged at the time, it was because of that much greater and more important conflict in which over two million of our countrymen were en- gaged during the same years, and which was conducted on a scale so stupendous as to dwarf the Indian troubles into an insignificant affair by comparison, as it also dwarfed all other wars our country had ever engaged in. It is highly creditable to the troops engaged and to those who managed these Indian cam- paigns and carried the war to such a successful conclusion, that they overcame all obstacles, and there were others nearly as formidable as the hostile Indians : restored to the nation peace on its vast northern and western frontiers and opened the way for the settlement and development of this great Northwest, which has proved such a tower of strength to the nation, and added so materially to its wealth and prosperity during all these succeeding years. The white people who had settled in Dakota contributed their full share to this creditable and gratifying result.

CHAPTER XXXIV THE ELECTION OF 1864

ELECTION IN 1864-DIVISION IN THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP-BURLEIGH AND BLISS FACTIONS-TWO REPUBLICAN CONVENTIONS-BLISS RELIES ON DEMOCRATIC SUP- PORT, BUT GENERAL TODD DECIDES TO RUN-BLISS AND BURLEIGH COMPROMISE AND TILE JUDGE LEAVES THE TERRITORY-BURLEIGH ELECTED ; TODD GIVES NOTICE OF CONTEST-LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATION-CONTEST WITIIDRAWN.

Maj. Walter A. Burleigh, agent of the Yankton Indians, was an announced candidate for the office of delegate to Congress in the winter of 1863-64. The election would be held in September of that year, and Mr. Burleigh had man- aged his campaign so successfully that he had no opposition among the faction of the republican party which he was presumed to represent, which faction con- trolled the regular republican organization. There was, however, a very strong opposition among the republicans, not directed so much against Mr. Burleigh, as against the party which had been identified with Governor Jayne in his cam- paign against General Todd. This campaign had left a serious breach in the republican organization, which instead of healing over had gradually assumed a more formidable antagonism, until another organization was formed with Chief Justice Philemon Bliss as the standard-bearer. The national republican con- vention had been called to meet in Baltimore in June, 1864, to nominate a Presi- dent and vice president. The regular, or Jayne, faction of the Dakota repub- licans had held their convention, to elect delegates to the national convention, in January, as previously noticed, and the rival organization headed by Judge Bliss had determined to hold a convention and also elect delegates. The political outlook in the spring of 1864 in the Dakota field revealed these two rival parties, both republican and nothing more. There was no democratic party in view, and it was an open secret that the democrats would not put a candidate in the field, but would leave the supporters of that party free to vote for whichever of the republican candidates they might prefer. It would seem that the majority of the democrats would naturally lean toward the Bliss faction, that gentleman having been considered friendly to General Todd in the previous contest, and this might have proven true, had Burleigh been an idle politician, which he was not ; and as he had diagnosed the situation intelligently and correctly, he had secured many of the most active democrats among his recruits as one of his first successes and before any conventions were held. Up to this time, April, 1864, the Jayne-Todd contest before Congress had not been decided. Jayne had been given the seat pending the contest. Todd had the moral support of the Bliss republicans in Dakota and was anxious to retain it until the contest was over, in any event, and if he had any thought of being again a candidate in 1864, he was wise enough to conceal it. Todd's closest friends in his own party were those who were giving Judge Bliss and his partisans the utmost encouragement in his fight against the Jayne, or Burleigh, faction. They appreciated the advantage of having two republican candidates.

Among leading republicans, Burleigh was sustained by Governor Edmunds, General ITill, W. W. Brookings, the United States land officers, Boyle and Allen, of Vermillion, and George Stickney, of Elk Point, while Bliss had Attorney

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General Gleason, United States Marshal Pinney, Provost Marshal Waldron, Secretary Hutchinson, Major Dewitt and Byron Smith. Quite a number of democrats were also in the republican ranks, who had abandoned their old party on war issues, Enos Stutsman being the recognized leader of this element and a supporter of Doctor Burleigh.

It would seem that in accordance with the ordinary practice of political parties, and of an administration, the republican party of the nation would have recognized and given preference and support to one of the republican parties in Dakota and endeavored to strengthen it with the federal patronage, but for a great many years after the organization of the territory no such recognition was given, with the exception of the term when Mr. Johnson was President. It is true that the majority of territorial appointments had been given to the citizens of the states where the people were privileged to vote for President and could elect senators, a privilege denied to the territories, and yet a few crumbs fell to the territory, but were disposed of to those who were regulars, bolters or inde- pendents, as the case might be, in about equal proportion. It appears that from the standpoint of the appointing power the republicans of Dakota were engaged in a family quarrel in which neither faction could maintain a claim of superior fealty to the national organization, because all were alike strenuous in their profession of loyalty to the Union and support of the administration. This peculiar situation continued until Mr. Hayes became President in 1877, when there was something of an effort made to induce the new appointees from out- side to use their influence to harmonize the warring elements, which was partially successful, for thereafter no appointments were made from citizens of the terri- tory unless they were endorsed by the trusted advisers of the administration.

These factional differences in the republican party of Dakota grew to such antagonistic proportions during 1863 that the Dakotan newspaper at Yankton was no longer able to maintain a neutral position regarding these differences, and as Doctor Burleigh was part owner of the plant and a leader of the strongest faction, he desired the support of the paper, even at the expense of an open rupture with the Bliss element. This did not coincide with the views of the active partner, Mr. Kingsbury, and the result was an arrangement which placed the editorial department of the paper in the hands of a very able party, satisfactory to both factions, who was expected to bring about a peaceful and amicable ad- justment of the difficulty. This task was given to Hon. Enos Stutsman, but he wearied of it after a few months of patient effort, having exhausted his supply of oil and accomplished nothing in the way of harmony. Rev. Albert Gore, of Union County, a Baptist clergyman, was then employed, and this was followed by the purchase of the entire plant by Mr. Burleigh, Mr. Kingsbury remaining for a time as the publisher. The Dakotan now took up the advocacy of Mr. Bur- leigh's nomination to the position of delegate to Congress, and opened its bat- teries rather pointedly, though mildly, upon the other factions.

This situation begot a desire on the part of the Bliss people for another paper that would defend their position, and the result was the purchase of a new print- ing plant and the establishment of the Dakota Union Newspaper in the spring of 1864, the first number of which was issued on the 10th of May of that year, with M. K. Armstrong as editor and G. W. Kingsbury as associate and publisher. The Dakota Union supported the Bliss faction. The democrats had no news- paper in Dakota, but the Sioux City Register, under Mr. William Freney, be- came their organ and accorded them able support.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 64

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1198

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1198