History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 71

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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A change was made in the superintendency of the Sioux City and Fort Randall wagon road, February, 1866, G. C. Moody retiring. He was succeeded by an attache of the Interior Department, residng at Cincinnati. A. B. Miller. a professional engineer, who came on to Dakota and took charge of the work. the most important part of which was the construction of the bridges over the Big Sioux, Vermillion and James rivers, the Big Sioux bridge being the only one on which a beginning had been made, and was yet in an unfinished condi- tion. There had been considerable delay in securing the iron work for the superstructure, and it had been found that the appropriation was not sufficient to complete it. An additional appropriation of $10,000 was made at the cur-

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rent session of Congress. The work upon which Mr. Miller engaged, the construction of the bridges over the Big Sioux, Vermillion and James rivers, progressed satisfactorily though not rapidly, under his superintendency, the delay being chiefly attributable to the tardiness of contractors in supplying material and damage from the spring floods. Work on the bridge over the James River had been going forward in a desultory manner since the summer of 1865. Mr. Miller was an excellent superintendent and doubtless had pushed the work as rapidly as circumstances would admit of. He had practically completed the Big Sioux and Vermillion bridges, which were first in order, and in 1867 had made some progress with the James River structure. He was taken ill at Sioux City early in November, 1867, and died at the Northwestern Hotel on the 9th of that month. His malady was called dyspepsia. He left a widow and two children who at the time of his death were in New York. His sudden death interrupted the work. lle had ordered a large proportion of his material for the James River bridge from Chicago, shipping it to Council Bluffs thence up the Missouri by steamboat and delays in the reception of these supplies had prevented the rapid progress of the work. This bridge had been seriously damaged by the high water in the stream in the spring of 1867. The unfinished superstructure was lifted from the piers and floated off some distance, but was grappled in time to preserve a part of it. The remainder of the season was expended in returning it to its proper position and in supplying the material that had been damaged or floated off beyond recovery. And to add to the discouraging situation it was found that the appropriation was well nigh exhausted, and nothing further could be done by the Federal Government until a further appropriation was made. Under these circumstances the commissioners of Yankton County, supported by the unanimous sentiment of the people, submitted a written proposition to the secretary of the interior, Mr. Browning, to turn the entire matter over to Yankton County, includ- ing all material and whatever funds might be remaining, and the county would guarantee to complete the work forthwith. The secretary declined this proposal for the reason that he had no authority to enter into such an agreement, but authorized the county to take charge of the uncompleted bridge and material, and care for it until Congress should make the needed appropriation to complete the work, which it did at the next session and the bridge was completed in 1869 under the superintendency of Hon. John Lawrence.

The interior department ordered work suspended on the Big Cheyenne Wagon Road in the spring of 1866. The survey and a portion of the construction work on the road had been completed the year before, and the appropriation for the improvement had not been exhausted, and no cause for the discontinuance of the project was apparent. An explanation came out later, when it was found that the directors of the Union Pacific Railroad had, through General Curtis, a member of the peace commission and also a director in that company, represented to the department that the opening of the Cheyenne Road would be fraught with grave consequences owing to the uncompromising opposition of the Sioux Indians, who regarded the improvement as a pretext on the part of the whites to get into the Black Hills ; on the other hand it was stated on the authority of men familiar with the Indians interested, that they desired the road built and traveled, because it would be the means to bring a class of whites through the country who would be generously disposed to the Indians, and whose sugar, coffee and flour were given out to them liberally by the emigrants; that the road would not jeopardize the safety of the Black Hills because its route would lead to the north from the forks of the Cheyenne.

In February, Mr. Brookings, who was superintendent of the Big Cheyenne Road, was relieved of his office and directed to turn over the public property in his possession to Colonel Sawyer, superintendent of the Niobrara Road. This action terminated operation on the shortest and most practicable route from the Missouri to the gold fields of Montana and Idaho, and caused great surprise and indignation among the people of the territory. The Government was committed

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to the opening of this route, and valuable interests in Montana as well as Dakota would be detrimentally affected by its abandonment. An authentic state- ment giving the reasons for abandoning the project was given out from Wash- ington a few weeks later, as follows :

The secretary of the interior has directed the suspension of surveys for certain wagon roads in the territories. This has been done upon the recommendation of E. B. Taylor, vi Nebraska; Maj. Gen. S. R. Curtis, General Sibley, and Henry W. Reed, of lowa, a majority of the commissioners appointed to treat with the hostile Indians of the Upper Missouri last autumn. In their judgment it would be highly impolitic and dangerous to make any further surveys of routes through a country inhabited by felon bands of Sioux Indians before the negotiations contemplated with the bands and tribes, as well as those already negotiated, have been fully completed and the annuities under the latter fully paid as stipulated.

There were reasons for believing that this recommendation of these gentlemen connected with the Indian peace commission was not given solely because they apprehended any objection from the Upper Missouri Indians, but in response to the influence of the Union Pacific Railroad then being constructed, whose policy was to discourage the opening of the Upper Missouri routes, and to direct emi- gration to the gold fields along and near the line of the great railway. In evi- (lence of this, an article from the treaties made in 1865, to which these objecting gentlemen were a party, is here quoted :

Article 4th. The said band represented in council shall withdraw from the routes over- land already established or hereafter to be established through this country, and in considera- tion thereof, and of their non-interference with the persons and property of citizens of the United States traveling thereon, the Government of the United States agrees to pay the said bands, ete., here giving the consideration, time of payment annually, to extend for twenty years.

This article fourth was a part of all the treaties with the Missouri tribes ; and a significant fact is that the Sawyer's Wagon Road from Sioux City via the Niobrara, and the Big Cheyenne Wagon Road were the only Upper Missouri roads then authorized by Congress. It is clear that these commissioners, who had induced the secretary of the interior to suspend the work, had forgotten this treaty stipulation or were guilty of gross misrepresentation in order to assist a rival route at the great expense of the emigrant in time and money. The Union Pacific Route, from the nearest point to the gold fields of the Northwest on their line, was greatly inferior in every essential feature for a wagon road and nearly double the distance of the Cheyenne Route.

Colonel Sawyer, who had charge of the Sioux City and Niobrara Valley Wagon Road to Idaho, went out in 1866 to complete his work begun in '65. lle was provided with a military escort consisting of twenty-five men, and had great need of a larger force, for much of his time was consumed in counseling and fighting with the hostile bands of Indians, who looked upon his expedition as a Black Hills crusade. The conflict known as the Battle of Crazy Woman's Fork was fought by Sawyer's military and civilians, in which five soldiers and one lieutenant were killed, and a number of whites wounded with arrows. The expedition was most continually harassed by Indians, which made its progress slow, and for too miles in the country south of the Black Ilills region, the com- mand encamped in the neighboring Sand Hills, where, though exposed to many privations and discomforts, they were exempt from the stealthy attacks of the savages. The expedition finally passed beyond the Black Hills country and were no longer molested by the Indians, and finally reached Fort Reno and Piney Fort. on Powder River, Montana, and from that point went on to Virginia City. Owing to the Indian difficulties this expedition was prevented from making such an examination of the country as was necessary to determine whether a practicable highway could be found through that region, and the route was never opened or traveled, at least that portion of it along the Niobrara. The strenuous opposition of the Indians which Sawyer encountered did not spring from opposition to the

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wagon road to Idaho nor from any feeling of hostility to the Government, but grew out of their suspicions that their cherished Black Hills were to be invaded and taken from them.

ARMY VS. CIVIL CONTROL OF INDIANS

The harmonious relations between the civil authorities of Dakota and the military authorities of the department of Dakota commanded by Gen. John Pope, Milwaukee, began to be disturbed during and after the campaigns against the Indians in 1864. There was a feeling on the part of our civil authorities that more could be accomplished by treaty with the Indians than by fighting them, and at less expense ; and Governor Edmunds, of Dakota, was quite in earnest in his efforts to induce the Washington authorities to give his treaty plan a trial. On the side of the governor were about all the influential whites in the Indian country, including the missionaries, the traders, and many prominent and influen- tial civilians at Washington and Philadelphia, and also to some extent, the busi- ness interests of the territory which felt the injury done to immigration, and de- sired a return of peace when eastern people could feel secure in coming here and taking up the land.

In his message to the Legislative Assembly of 1864-5 and in his official char- acter Governor Edmunds had taken a position in favor of abandoning Indian expeditions and war as a means of securing peace with the Indians, affirming that peace could be had for only a fraction of the cost of an army, and without the sacrifice of human life by means of treaties properly entered into and judiciously observed. The governor was ex-officio superintendent of Indian affairs in Dakota, and was therefore in a position to speak advisedly and authoritatively on the subject. The two campaigns under Sibley and Sully in 1863, and the campaign under General Sully in 1864, had cost a number of lives, both whites and Indians; had been attended by an immense outlay of Government money, and though the Indians had been beaten, their property destroyed, and their or- ganized fighting forces broken up, they were regarded as still hostile and a serious menace to the peace of the frontier, and to the continuance of immigra- tion, and the military power was still depended upon to protect the settlements and control the enemy.

It was presumed that all parties wanted peace ; but the official avenue through which this peace movement had been inaugurated was looked upon by a portion of the military people in authority as an unwarranted interference with their prerogatives. The army, they claimed, had found and subdued the hostile sav- ages, and now if the latter wanted friendly relations restored, let them sue for it to the military power. Thus would they be taught to respect that authority ; while the policy of interference by the civil authorities would tend to belittle the in- fluence of the army with the savages. The army they claimed was entitled to the moral as well as legal support of the Government. This difference of opinion raised a serious question that was not finally disposed of for a number of years, and gave rise or rather contributed to the peace policy of the Government. The question became an issue in the politics of the territory in 1865, and the people of the towns were divided in sentiment, but the contention seemed to be governed largely by the selfish motive as to which policy was best for the material interests of the white people of the territory, and had little regard for the welfare of the Indian ; one side contending that military control meant a large army of con- sumers in the territory and the expenditure of large sums among the farmers for grain and cattle ; while their opponents insisted that there would be greater gain to the farmers in the more rapid influx of immigrants who would take up the vacant lands, establish schools, pay taxes, improve roads and build bridges, and from this source more substantial benefit would be gained to the whites, than from a prolongation of the frontier troubles which would tend to drive immi- gration to other territories and imperil the safety of those already settled in the

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territory. The sequel proved that the whites in the territory by a large majority favored a peace policy.

The governor's proposed policy was not approved by the military people; and those acting with him, including several prominent civilians within as well as without the territory, were indirectly accused of throwing obstacles in the way of the army that only served to encourage the Indians in their hostilities, but strengthened them for conflict.

On the other side and in retaliation, the military were accused of prolonging the troubles that they might continue to hold high positions and control immense patronage and great authority. The Civil war had made marvelous changes in the personnel of the United States army. From a small body of 28,000 men, with little duty, except to garrison a few military posts and protect the public property, it had suddenly become a mighty army of nearly a million men. Mili- tary training and education had been at an exalted premium, and many of the young officers had gained a higher rank in the few years of the war than would have been gained in a life time of service under the ordinary conditions of peace. The Civil war closed in 1865, late in the spring and early summer and there was no time lost in mustering the Union soldiers-the enlisted men-out of service, and returning them to their homes and the industries of peace. And this left a number of officers of the regular army without a command, or other suitable employment. The military departments were reduced in number by consolidation, and some were altogether discontinued. In some few very dis- tinguished instances, the country desired to reward its greatest heroes by special marks of its gratitude. It was therefore not a difficult matter for the captains to discover a selfish motive on the part of the military authorities of the depart- ment to keep up the campaigning against the Indians, even when there did not seem to be a longer necessity for it, for the great bodies of hostile Indians had been thoroughly subdued and weakened by the disastrous defeats they had suf- fered in 1863 and 1864, and their condition in 1864 was discovered to be that of an enemy incapable of making a stubborn resistance. The military gentlemen, however, were strongly intrenched in the war department, and had powerful friends in Congress, while they had also the support of the no-good Indian sen- timent throughout the country. The verbal and written conflict went on between the two authorities, and took on more bitterness with age. The newspapers discussed the matter and the majority largely favored the civil side and as war had grown unpopular the advocates of peace treaties as a substitute for force had the popular breeze with them.

In August, 1865, in response to a very general and respectable sentiment prevalent in the country, President Johnson appointed a mixed commission, com- posed of eminent military men as well as civilians to visit the Indian country and make treaties with all the Indian tribes in the Northwest who had recently been engaged in hostilities. Congress at its late session had appropriated $20,000 to defray the expenses of such a commission body. The commission consisted of Newton Edmunds, governor of Dakota; Gen. S. R. Curtis, commanding the Dakota military division ; Gen. H. H. Sibley, Minnesota ; Edw. B. Taylor, north- western superintendent of Indian affairs of Omaha; A. Guernsey, Janesville, Wis. ; and Rev. Henry W. Reed, of Dubuque, la. This commission met at Yank- ton on the 20th of September and elected Governor Edmunds, chairman, and spent several days arranging their plans. They got away for the Indian country on Monday, the 25th of September, taking the Steamboat Cylipso, which they had chartered for their use. The season of navigation was drawing to a close but word had been sent to all the hostile tribes and there was no doubt they would meet the commissioners, so that the board felt it all important not to disappoint them. The usual delays in river navigation were encountered, but in spite of all difficulties, treaties of peace and amity were made with the representatives of nine different tribes of the Sioux, all of whom had been engaged in the hostile ranks in 1863 and '64; these were the Minneconyoux, Brules, Lower Brules, Two

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Kettles, Blackfeet Sioux, Ogalalas, Unepapas, Upper and Lower Yanktonnais and Sans Ares. The lateness of the season prevented as full an attendance at some of the councils as was desired, and there were some of the Black Hill bands that did not come in, but it was discovered that the sentiment of the Indians was overwhelmingly for peace at any price, and the work of the commission was also timely as it satisfied the Indians that the Great Father was still friendly dis- posed; that he was willing to overlook their past hostile conduct, and would extend to them a helping hand as rapidly as they exhibited a disposition to receive it in good faith. The entire Indian population of the Northwest learned of these peace movements in a short time and there was a noticeable change for the better in the conduct of all the tribes. It was one of those victories that give force to the axiom that "peace hath her victories no less renowned than war," and the entire cost or expense to the Government of the commission was less than would have been required to maintain a company of cavalry on the frontier for a year. There was no change in the disposition of the troops because of these peace measures and none was expected for several months, at least until the new routes to the mines in Montana were opened and other treaties made with the remainder of the Sioux Nation. The Minneconyoux and Sans Arcs were the owners of the soil over which the Brookings Wagon Road was laid along the Big Cheyenne, and they were given about twenty-five thousand dollars for the right of way for that thoroughfare.

The Indian commissioners did not complete their work with all the hostile tribes in 1865 and another expedition for a similar purpose was undertaken in 1866 with the expectation of going to the head of navigation on the Missouri. Commissioners Sibley and Taylor were detached to conclude a treaty with a tribe in Western Nebraska, the others named constituting the Missouri commission. They left Yankton on the Steamboat Ben Johnson, June 11, 1866, llon. M. K. Armstrong accompanying the party as clerk. At Fort Rice the commission found about five hundred and seventy lodges, or 3,000 Indians belonging to the Upper Yanktonais, Blackfeet, Sans Arcs and Ogalalas, with whom they arranged terms of peace. A treaty was also made with 188 lodges of Santees who had sent a delegation to Rice for that purpose, claiming that at no time had they engaged in war against the whites, and had been in the company of hostile Indians only under compulsion.

At Fort Berthold a council was held with the Rees, Gros Ventres, Mandans and Cheyennes, all independent nations and all occupying a friendly position toward the Government except the Cheyennes. These Indians had not been en- gaged in hostilities against the Government, but were at constant war with the Sioux which it was desired to terminate in the interest of civilizing both com- batants. A cession of lands was also made part of the agreement. The treaty obligated the Arickarees and their associated tribes, the Gros Ventres and Man- dans to perpetual peace and friendship by abstaining from all hostilities; the Indians also agreed to the construction of roads, highways and telegraph lines through their country: they agreed to surrender to the United States lawless persons guilty of criminal acts; that they would not make war upon other In- dians ; and that no intoxicating liquors shall be introduced among their people. The United States agreed to expend for the benefit of said huichans, in goods, provisions and implements the sum of $10,000 annually for twenty years, in pur- chasing such needed supplies ; in employing farmers and mechanics and school teachers to instruct them and their children. Further :

And the chiefs and headmen of the Gros Ventres and Mandan tribes, associated with the Arickarees, do agree as follows :

It being made known to all the tribes thus associated that the United States may desire to connect a line of stages with the Missouri River. at the salient angle thereof. about thirty miles below Fort Berthold, and may desire to establish settlements and mechanical structures to accommodate the growing commerce and travel. by land and river, the chiefs and headmen of these several tribes do hereby convey to the U'nited States all their right and title to the following lands, situated on the northeast side of the Missouri River, to wit:

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Beginning on the Missouri River at the mouth of Snake River, about thirty miles below Fort Berthold, thence up Snake River and in a northeast direction, twenty-five miles; thence southwardly, parallel to the Missouri River, to a point opposite and twenty-five miles cast of ok Fort Clark; thence west to a point on the Missouri River opposite to old Fort Clark ; thence up the Missouri River to the place of beginning.

As a further consideration on the part of the United States it was agreed to pay to the Gros Ventres and Mandan tribes the sum of $5,000 annually, in goods, at the discretion of the President.

A more formidable enemy than Indians was encountered by the members of the commission in the myriads of hostile mosquitoes above Fort Berthold, bred from the carcasses of thousands of decaying buffalo which lined the banks on either side. The insects would attack the people on the boat at sundown, and thereafter gave them no opportunity to sleep. On one occasion the attack was of such a serious character and so prolonged that it caused a panic among the women and children who had taken passage for some points in the upper river, and fatal results were apprehended as the result of their sufferings. The boat was tied up as was usual during the hours of night, and not a person on board made any effort to sleep. Mosquito bars were no protection, and in desperation the captain weighed anchor and started the Ben Johnson no-stream through the gloom at i o'clock in the morning, piloted by a small boat. Once out in the channel a refreshing breeze was encountered, and the plague largely disappeared.

At Fort Union the commission found about five thousand Indians, three- fourths of whom were not Sioux but were among the hostile tribes. These were the Crows, the Assinaboines, Black Feet and Bloods. Treaties were effected with all these people with very little difficulty. They were opposed to further hostili- ties and desired to be again restored to the Great Father's favor and receive his counsel and rations. The Indians generally accepted the proposition of the Gov- ernment that they should, as far as possible, abandon their savage mode of life and make a beginning in a settled and industrial career.

All the foregoing treaties were nearly identical in their provisions and related to the maintaining of peaceful relations; the Indians to receive certain annuities and protection; their reservations to be respected; and a sum of money was granted to each amounting in most instances to ten thousand dollars, to be ex- pended for them under direction of the President as a consideration for certain overland wagon roads from the Missouri River to Montana, which pass through the Indian country. The Indians were also to be given substantial assistance whenever any of them desired to enter upon a civilized mode of life and culti- vate the soil by being furnished with a farmer, blacksmith and school teachers at the expense of the United States. These treaties, with their provisions further elaborated, were in large part superseded by the Laramie treaty of 1869.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 71

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