The Dakota Sioux Indian Wars of 1862-1863
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A BGES Civil War Field University Program: Lincoln’s Other War; The Dakota Sioux Indian Wars of 1862-1863 The Indian problem preceded the Civil War and it occupied a good portion of the prewar army’s focus. Men like Richard Ewell and John Bell Hood had extensive prewar experience indeed Hood’s arm had been pinned to his side by an arrow during an early assignment. The war though had eclipsed the peacetime focus on controlling the Indians many of which had been pacified by relocation to reservations. Here men whose life had been nomadic and self reliant were changed in disastrous ways that changed the basic composition of their lives. As the Civil War consumed more and more resources and manpower, tribal treaties administered by Indian Agents were loosely adhered to and in cases ignored. For people whom had become dependent upon government subsidies, to pay traders and other merchants, walks to the agency for the distribution of cash and supplies was both demeaning and crucial especially as the seasons changed. In August 1862 emotions boiled over and when Indians showed up for the handouts and came back empty handed the frustration manifested itself in attacks against settlers who lived in close proximity to the reservation. Indians, under the general control of Little Crow, murdered settlers—most of Scandinavian origin in cold blood and others who mixed with the settlers reacted in different ways—some joined the murderous rampage and others helped warn the ignorant farmers and saved their lives. Still in just over a week, approximately 500 civilians were slaughtered and many mutilated. The state and Federal government responded and while soldiers were being cultivated for shipment to the Civil War, the local depots diverted recruits to protect the frontier while Washington sent a seasoned but disgraced Major General, John Pope and numerous Confederate soldiers whom had deserted and joined the Union army. By the end of the year, the renegades had been captured tried and executed. The government did not forget and it dissolved the reservation and hounded the remaining Indians throughout 1863 and beyond. It is the forgotten war. Tuesday, September 8, 2015 7 PM: Meet at the headquarters hotel which will be announced. Having finished our book work prep, we are really excited about this program. This is the first time either of us has walked these grounds, as such until we have completed our four day site survey at the end of October we offer this as a first cut at the itinerary. We will do this program as outlined unless we believe we can materially improve it by changing the order, added or deleting sites. We will fine-tune the program by December 1st. We will meet briefly to provide nametags, say hello, outline the program and provide the reading books. Wednesday, September 9, 2015 Bags out by 8 AM for an 8:15 AM departure: Lets be on board to start promptly—Its important to understand the frontier as the Civil War begins. Many of you familiar with the Civil War recall as the war extended its tentacles it drew on all its states— the 1st Minnesota earning particular fame on July 2nd, 1863 at Gettysburg. This emptying of the draft age men out of the state for the “Slave War” turned the focus away from the long standing problems of the region and skews the distribution of obligated resources for the Indian reservations. We will start at the 1862 Army District Headquarters at Fort Snelling. Here Neil will summarize the pacification of the Sioux and the relations in Minnesota. Geography will drive this program and we will go to Mankato to witness where Lincoln exacted a severe justice for the uprising by ordering the largest mass execution in America’s history—38 simultaneous hangings. Following our lunch break we will reassemble to go visit sites in and around New Ulm. This village was one of the central sites of Indian reprisals and outrages. We will overnight in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. We will take breaks each day to allow you to have lunch which is not included in the registration fee. Evenings will be free for people to socialize or call for a pizza. We wanted to hold the cost down by not drawing extra for meals that you may want to economize on. Thursday September 10th, 2015 Again have the bags on board by 8 AM for an 8:15 AM departure: Our first site today is a wonderfully restored relic of the times, Fort Ridgely. Here on August 20 and 22, 1862 the fort was subjected to vicious and hard hitting attacks executed by Little Crow’s Indians. We will then visit the Redwood Agency where the Indians came for their handouts. When the wampum and supplies were not available the disaffected Indians rioted and at Redwood Ferry massacred settlers (our next stop). The war progressed rapidly and with the disproportionate resources soon the two sides were in dramatic conflict. Our first stop after lunch is the battlefield of Birch Cooley—the most famous of the uprising’s fights. We will then go to the decisive battle site of Wood Lake. The defeat of the Dakota at Wood Lake leds us to the last site of the day at Camp Release where hostages were released and prisoners were processed. We will end the day at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Friday September 11, 2015 You now know the routine have the bags on board by 8 AM for an 8:15 AM departure. The troops brought to suppress the uprising included big names from the east such as Major General John Pope who had just been routed and subsequently relieved after the battle of Second Manassas. He was supported by regular troops that included deserters from the Confederate armies who had enlisted in the Union army. These Galvanized Yankees would have a chance to prove their loyalty by serving on the plains. After the decisive defeat in Minnesota, the Union dissolved the reservation and pushed the Sioux away. Tailed by Union general Henry Sibley the harassed Indians were pursued across the Dakota prairie. Soon the names of Big Mound, Stony Lake and Dead Buffalo Lake would be added to the roster of Indian and American battles. We will reach the distal end of our road trip with our overnight in Bismarck, North Dakota. Saturday September 12th, 2015 Again have the bags on board by 8 AM for an 8:15 AM departure. The day opens with a detailed look at Fort Abraham Lincoln. We have visited this place on other trips—it will be made famous as the home of the 7th Cavalry and Lieutenant Colonel and Libby Custer. We will then pick up the trail of the second US punitive expedition led by General Alfred Sully in 1863. This march will bring us in conflict with 4,000 Yanktonai Sioux and Uncpapa Sioux at Whitestone Hill. We will then visit the well kept Fort Abercrombie en route back to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Sunday September 13th, 2015 Here on our last day have the bags on board by 8:15 AM for an 8:30 AM departure. Our route of march takes us back to the 1862 uprising to the site of the Acton Massacre—here four Indians massacred five settlers on August 17th thus touching off the uprising. A month later close by in the battle of Acton, Minnesota volunteers took the measure of Little Crow and his warriors. We then return to Minneapolis no later that 4 PM where the program ends. No flights before 6 PM can be guaranteed. Thank you for joining us. I think you will agree that you have experienced something special and unique. Very few have ever done this program and no one ever with Neil—one of the nation’s foremost Indian wars experts. About the Faculty: Neil Mangum is one of the nation’s foremost historians and is an expert on George Custer. A retired National Park Service official, Neil served as Superintendent at the Little Big Horn National Battlefield as it transitioned from Custer National Battlefield. The popular Mangum only allows himself four or five tours a year and BGES is fortunate to enjoy his favor. He enjoys the cliental and the small folksy nature of the group that is usually well prepared. Neil is author of The Battle of the Rosebud: Prelude to the Little Big Horn. He has a following and most people on this trip will have travelled with him before which makes this event even nicer. Hotel Information: Your registration fee includes includes 5 nights single or double occupancy lodging. Hotels will be announced and contact information provided before the event. Transportation: The servicing airport is Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP). We will select a hotel that has a shuttle service to and front the airport. We will also make arrangements for those who drive in to leave their cars at the headquarters hotel. Recommended Reading: You will be provided with a reading book and maps upon arrival. The following books are suggested to enhance your readiness for the program. All prices are inclusive of shipping. ________ Gregory Michno: Dakota Dawn, $36 click here to order _________Gary C. Anderson: Little Crow, Spokesman for the Sioux $20 click here to order ________ Paul Beck: Columns of Vengeance, Soldiers, Sioux and Punitive Expeditions 1863-1864 $35 click here to order ________ CM Oehler: The Great Sioux Uprising $20 click here to order Registration Form Lincoln’s Other War: The Dakota Sioux Indian Wars of 1862-1863 A BGES Field University Program Presented by Neil Mangum September 8-13, 2015 from Minneapolis, MN Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _________________________________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________ Email: _____________________________________ Registration includes a reading book with maps, the academic program, support of a professional historian, tour director, admissions and transportation.