1865 October 14: The 30th Wisconsin Comes Home

The following front page article comes from the October 14, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.

The Thirtieth.

The 30th Reg. is home.  So large a proportion of the officers and men of this Reg. went from this part of the State, that it has been watched here with more than usual interest.

No regiment in the State was made up of better material, or has more creditably discharged the duties which it was called on to perform.  So trusty was its character and so orderly its deportment that it was long kept in the State, engaged in the difficult and delicate duty of enforcing the draft.  Sent from the State into the far Indian country, it had no opportunity of winning laurels in battle, but it had much hard work, which was cheerfully done.

For considerable time past the regiment has been doing provost duty in Kentucky and has been remarkable for its efficiency, and honorable soldierly conduct.  Many of its members have been detailed to important  places, and Col. DILL has most of the time been Provost Marshal General of the State, and received high praise for the manner in which he filled that difficult position.  [Daniel J. Dill]

The boys are welcome home.  As they left bearing our warm wishes for their safe return, so now we rejoice that so many of them are spared to share in the prosperity and enjoy the peace which again blesses the land.

1865 May 27: Letter from the Thirtieth Wisconsin in Kentucky, News of the Guerrillas Captured with Sue Mundy

The following letter comes from the May 27, 1865, issue of The Polk County Press.  The 30th Wisconsin Infantry contained many men from northwest Wisconsin, spread across multiple companies.

Correspondence of the Polk Co. Press.

FROM THE THIRTIETH WISCONSIN REGIMENT.

A SKETCH OF ITS DOINGS IN KENTUCKY, &C.

LOUISVILLE, KY., MAY 8, 1865.

FRIEND FIFIELD.—Here I am setting in my Sanctom Sanctorum [sic]¹ trying to wear away a dull time,—for I have been perfectly at leisure of late—or rather busy doing nothing.  I thought to myself, that perhaps you would like to hear from some member of the BLOODLESS 30th Wisconsin Regiment, and of the grand campaigns the Regiment has been through since it has been in Kentucky.  Five companies of the regiment, under the command of Col. D. J. DILL [Daniel J. Dill], arrived here the 29th of November, 1864.—Four companies under Major JOHN CLOWNEY, were waiting at Paducah for sometime previous to our arrival, for us to join them, and then if possible, to go to the front,—which every member of the regiment have been anxious to do, since its organization.  However such was not our fate.  The Col.’s orders had “gineout”² at this place, and nobody knew anything about the regiment, nor did they seem to care much ;  consequently had to go into camp and await something to “turn up” to relieve us of our situation.  We lay here in camp ten days.  Col. DILL after making every effort to get the regiment together, finally succeeded in getting Major CLOWNEY with his command ordered to this place.  The next move to be made was if possible to get ordered to the front, where we could bather our “maiden swords” in the blood of a “confed” [Confederate]—but all efforts seemed to be unavailing, and we lay here in camp not knowing whether we belonged to Uncle Sam or not, nor even recognized.  The men set about trying to make themselves comfortable.  The weather being cold and either raining, snowing, blowing or freezing—without any fire only what the men had to do their cooking with, as we were in tents.  Finally on the 11th of Dec., orders came from Regimental Hd. Qrs. to strike tents, and be ready to march at short notice.  All was bustle and confusion.  About 10 o’clock on the 11[th] we marched down to the Nashville depot, and proceeded on our journey rejoicing until the next day at 2 P. M., when we arrived at Bowling Green and found that was our destination, as the rebel Gen. LYON³ was in the vicinity of the Louisville and Nashville Rail Road, with quite a force, and might possibly (as there was quite a large supply of Government stores there), attack the place.  We went into camp about two miles back from the town, and immediately formed a picket line.—We staid here four weeks doing picket duty and not a sign of the enemy.  Raining and snowing, nearly all of the time, and the way the Kentucky soil stuck to the Union soldiers boots, you could really say that it was true Union.  The men when off duty were building log houses for shelter and comfort, and had fairly got ready to enjoy life, when we were ordered back to Louisville.  [paragraph break added]

Accordingly on the 10th of January, we took a special train at 1 o’clock, P. M., and did not arrive in Louisville until the morning of the 12th having traveled  72 miles in sixty hours.  If we had been in haste we certainly should have taken “walkers line.”  On our arrival at Louisville we were ordered to duty at the Military Prison, to guard Confederate prisoners ;  but this could not last long without some change.  Major CLOWNEY with three companies was ordered to Frankfort, to protect the loyal Kentuckians from guerrilla outrages.  Capt. MEACHUM [sic: Edgar A. Meacham] was ordered with three companies to the city, to do Provost duty ;  three companies being left at the prison with plenty of Guard duty for the whole nine companies.  I will here say there is but nine companies in the State.  Co. “I” was left at Fort Union, D. T.  There has not been more than six hundred prisoners here at any one time since we have been stationed here, as they are transferred to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, as soon as the rolls are made out and transportation furnished—the companies that are stationed here guarding them through to their destination.—A great many of them are good looking men, but their dress is not very becoming.  It looks as if they had not changed it since they entered the service.  The Prison is now nearly cleaned out.  None are left here now but the sick and wounded that are unable to travel.  Five guerrillas are confined here, among them is BILL McGRUDER [sic: “Billy” Magruder] and MIDKIFF [sic: Henry Metcalfe], captured with SUE MUNDY.  McGRUDER was badly wounded in the lungs, but is recovering slowly.  I think he will have a chance to practice on the hemp for twenty minutes some of these fine days for exercise.⁴  Guerrilla bands will soon be broken up in this State, as Gen. PALMER [John M. Palmer] is using every effort to bring them to justice.

I suppose I should say something about Louisville.  It is a very well laid out city, with many beautiful residences, but it cannot look as well as it did before the war broke out.—The streets are very much out of repair, and it will take a number of years to bring it back to its original appearance, and as for the genuine loyalty of its inhabitants, I should not want to trust it much, although there are many loyal people here.—The 14th of April there was quite a large procession paraded the streets all day, in honor of our victories.  On the morning of the news of the assassinnation [sic] of our beloved President, the city looked dark and gloomy enough.  The business portion of the city was heavily draped in mourning, also many residences.  Every Union citizen felt as though they had lost their best friend, while many of the “secesh” would say “that it was the death blow to the rebellion.”  Quite a number would rejoice in private, but if the boys in blue could find one of them, he was promptly marched off for safe keeping.  It would not do to talk secesh to any great extent, as Union men were not to be trifled with.  Business has fallen off nearly one half since that time—all Government offices have also cut down their expences [sic] one half of what they were before the surrender of LEE’S army [Robert E. Lee].

I should have said in my letter before, that the officers of the regiment are scattered nearly as bad as the companies.  Col. DILL was detached and put in command of the Post of Louisville for sometime, and then was relieved at his own request, and is now Provost Marshal Gen. of this District.  Lieut. Col. BARTLETT⁵  is on a General Court Marshal in session in this city.  Surgeon HOYT [Otis Hoyt] is in charge of Post Hospital.  Adjt. SPENCER⁶  is Post Inspector.  Lieut. WILSON [Henry A. Wilson] of company “A” is in charge of a Bureau for the purpose of issuing rations to the destitute families of our soldiers, which belong to Kentucky regiments.  The guerrillas so infest the towns where the soldiers enlist from, that they are obliged to leave their homes, and come to the city to live, where they can be protected.—The season here seems to be very forward to the people from the North.  Every thing is growing nicely and in the city gardens look beautiful.  In some they have mowed the grass, and Peach trees have all been in blossom, and the Shade trees have leaved [sic] out.

As I have used up my present material, I will close, hoping to have something more interesting to communicate at some future period.

Yours,          .D. A. F.

1.  Sanctum Sanctorum is a Latin phrase from the Bible meaning “holy of holies” and referred to the inner place of the Tabernacle of Ancient Israel and later the Temples in Jerusalem. It’s derivative meaning, used here, is any private place that is secure and free from infringement.
2.  Irish slang for “go out” or “get out.”
3.  Hylan Benton Lyon (1836-1907) graduated from West Point in 1856 and was a career military officer, fighting Indians in Florida and then in California and Washington Territory. When the Civil War started, he resigned and raised Company F of the 3rd Kentucky Infantry, which soon became part of the 1st Kentucky Artillery. Lyon equipped the unit, which initially was known as Lyon’s Battery (later Cobb’s Battery). In January 1862 Lyon was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 8th Kentucky Infantry and exercised command in the absence of the colonel. Lyon’s regiment was part of the garrison of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, and he became a prisoner of war when the fort surrendered to General Grant. He was exchanged in September and his regiment was reorganized as the 8th Kentucky Infantry, with Lyon as the colonel. The regiment fought during the Vicksburg Campaign, with Braxton Bragg, Joseph Wheeler, with James Longstreet at the Siege of Knoxville, and the Third Battle of Chattanooga. By 1864, Lyon commander cavalry as a brigadier general under Nathan B. Forrest. In December 1864, he led 800 Kentucky cavalrymen on a raid into Tennessee and western Kentucky, attempting to enforce Confederate draft laws and to draw Union troops away from General John Bell Hood’s Nashville campaign. His men burned seven county courthouses that were being used to house Union troops. With the end of the War, Lyon accompanied Tennessee Governor Isham G. Harris to Mexico, where he was a civil engineer for nearly a year before returning to his home in Eddyville, Kentucky. He resumed farming, opened a prosperous mercantile business, and served as state prison commissioner. He was primarily responsible for the Kentucky State Penitentiary being located in his hometown of Eddyville.
4.  A hemp rope will be used to hang Magruder in October, 1865.
5.  Edward M. Bartlett, from Durand, was on general court marshal duty from March to September 1865.
6.  Theodore C. Spencer, from Eau Claire, was Post Inspector in Louisville from February to September 1865.

1865 March 4: What the 30th Wisconsin Has Been Up to in Kentucky

The following letter, reprinted from the Madison State Journal, comes from the March 4, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.  Companies A, D, F, I, and K of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry had men from northwest Wisconsin, especially A (Saint Croix Guards) and F (Salomon Tigers).

From the Thirtieth Regiment.

Still on guard duty—Bearing a good name—
Location of the different Companies—Transfer
of Prisoners of War.

Correspondence of the State Journal.

OFFICE MILITARY PRISON, }
Louisville, Ky., Feb. 16, ’65. }

Messrs. Editors :  Having had the pleasure of beholding, scaning [sic] and perusing the contents of your ever interesting Journal, I find myself much refreshed, and also deeply indebted to the donor for the privilege.  Indeed it does my soul good to occasionally read Wisconsin papers for the Old State contains the centre of my attractions, and often in solitary hours my memory reverts to those it contains, who are ever dear to me.

The stupendous struggle which has shaken the country from its centre to its very circumference, has called into activity thousands of brave, heroic men in its defense, and while thousands have been swept from view, their memory and fame lives in the hearing of those who loved them yet thousands more are ready to sell life dearly, in need be, in maintenance of the priceless inheritance bequeathed us as a Nation from our illustrious Revolutionary grandsires.

Among the number doing battle for the right and justice, none stand more prominent than those composing the rank and file of the “Model 30th Wisconsin.”  Not a hand of one of its number has been stained in human gore ;  yet it has won a name a mame [sic] among the best, for military bearing, exemplary deportment and intrinsic worth.

I hold that the 30th Wisconsin has been sadly misused by not being afforded an opportunity of going to the front, and participating in the hand to hand contests that have been waged against “slaveocracy” and those who are sapping the foundation of the national fabric—endeavoring to pull down our Republican institutions, and on the ruins thereof build up an oligarchy, dedicated to human bondage and ignorance.  Had the officers and men been allowed this privilege, I am confident, they would have adorned themselves with high honors, and acquitted themselves worthily.  The old 30th is yet a legion of itself, and although its deeds have gone unsung, its braves who have fallen in their country’s service have not gone unwept for.  Peace to the ashes of the brave men who have sunk from view ; but whose memory still lives.

At the preeent [sic] writing the 30th Wisconsin foots up as follows :  Co. A, D and F on provost duty, city of Louisville, Ky. ;  C, H and K guarding military prison, and commanded by Lieut. Col. Bartlett ;  B, E and G at Frankfort, Ky., under Maj John Clowney ;  at Fort Union, Idaho.  Col. Daniel J. Dill, who has been acting Brigadier General for some time past, with headquarters at Bowling Green, KY., is now Post Commandant of Louisville.

Since August 1st, 1864, to January 1st, 1865, the number of prisoners of war forwarded from Nashville, Tenn., and sent North of the Ohio river amounted to 13,788 ;  the number of deserters for the same period was 1,057.  The number of prisoners of war received at this office from Jan. 1st to Feb. 1st stand as follows :  Field officers 65 ;  line officers 235 ;  non-commissioned officers 217 ;  privates 3,218 ;  political prisoners 28.  The number of deserters received are as follows :  field officers 1 ;  line officers 2 ;  non-commissioned officers 3 ;  privates 762.  There have been about 9 civil prisoners received for the same time ;  6 of whom took the “oath of amnesty,” while 3 refused, and will be forward as prisoners of war for exchange.  We have on hand at the present time 157 prisoners of war and 15 bushwhackers, a number of whom in all probability, will go out of the world with their necks broke.

Capt. Chas. B. Pratt,¹ of the 25th Michigan, is the executive officer of the military prison, and has been in charge of the same for the past two years. His gentlemanly deportment and business qualifications, render him the right man in the proper place.

Respectfully yours,                        FRANK J. ROWE.²

1.  Charles B. Pratt, of Marshall, Michigan, was largely instrumental in recruiting the men of what became Company A of the 25th Michigan Infantry, and was made captain at the organization. For nearly two years Captain Pratt was on duty as executive officer at the military prison at Louisville, Kentucky. He was repeatedly complimented in official reports. The surgeon and acting medical inspector, of prisoners, in his report of October, 1863, to the authorities at Washington said, “I commend Captain Pratt most highly for the condition to which he has brought the prison under his command.” Another inspecting officer in his report of December 3, 1864, said, “Great credit is due Captain Pratt for his efficient discharge of the duties of his position,” and still another inspector whose report is dated January 21, 1865, says: “Captain Pratt, executive officer of the prison, certainly deserves credit for the efficient and faithful manner in which he discharges the duties of his position. ”
2.  Frank J. Rowe was a first sergeant in Company B of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry. He was from Mineral Point, enlisted August 21, 1862, and was discharged with a disability in June 1865.

1864 December 17: Sand Creek Massacre; Government Jobs for Disabled Veterans; Rosser’s Raid on New Creek; To Hood: “Go to Nashville or to hell”

Following are the smaller items from the December 17, 1864, newspapers in northwestern Wisconsin, The Polk County Press and The Prescott Journal.

From The Polk County Press:

— A detachment of the 1st and 3rd Colorado cavalry, under Col. Chivenglen [sic],¹ had a fight with the Indians, near Fort Lyon, and killed between four and five hundred Indians and captured about five hundred ponies and mules.

Chief Black Kettle,² White Antelope and [L]ittle Rope were killed.  The Indians were about 9,000 strong.³

Our loss was nine killed and thirty-eight wounded.

The troops are still pursuing the savages.

A Noble Letter From the President.

Mrs. Brisby, a poor widow, was recipiant [sic] of the following letter from President Lincoln.  Her sixth son, who was recently wounded, is now lying in hospital.

EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.

DEAR MADAM :—I have been shown on files of the War Department, a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachussetts [sic] that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.  I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming ;  but I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.  I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you your only son, the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours very sincerely and respectfully,

A. LINCOLN.

— Capt. H. H. Pratt, 7th Minnesota Volunteers, has been discharged from the service by order of the Secretary of War for physical disability.

DESERTERS.—Deputy Pro. Marshal Vincent [William J. Vincent], of Polk Co., passed through this city Sunday, on his way to La Crosse, with a couple of deserters.—Hudson Star and Times.

— The 30th regiment is at Nashville, Tenn.  The boys will soon have a chance to smell powder,—what they have been praying for so long.—Ib.

From The Prescott Journal:

The Chief Justiceship.

SALMON PORTLAND CHASE is the Chief Justice of the United States.  The new life of the Nation has begun.  It recognizes eternal truth, and an undreamed of glory and development awaits our future.  The progress of ideas in the four years past is wonderful.  It may be summed up in four words—TANEY then ;  CHASE now.  Then, the dangerous and disloyal system of slavery seemed securely protected by law ;  now, outlawed as a traitor, condemned as an assassin, and despised as a thief, it feebly draws its expiring breath.—How fitting, how consenant [sic] with the triumph of ideas and the march of events, that SALMON P. CHASE, a liberty-loving son of the loyal North, now assumes the roles of the Chief Justiceship, and expounds the scriptures of American law.

The Prohibition of Slavery.

In his Message, Mr. LINCOLN speaks of a constitutional amendment, prohibiting Slavery in the United States, as an assured fact, which if not accomplished by this Congress, will assuredly be by the next.  In this respect he but reiterates the voice of the people, as expressed in the late election, and in this case the voice of the people is the voice of God.  The prohibition of Slavery is not only a moral duty, but the demand of patriotism and common sense.  Slavery was the combustible material in the National edifice.  Its devotees fired the building, and when the flames are extinguished and the edifice is to be rebuilt, it seems to be the dictate of good policy and sound sense to build it fire proof.  We are not working primarily for the negro, but for our own safety, and if the negro is benefitted thereby, we are certainly glad of it.

The Calls of Charity.

At this season of the year, the calls of charity are frequent and pressing.  “The poor ye have always with you,” says the Savior, and in nothing is the excellence of christian civilization more manifest than in the charity which alleviates the sorrows and supplies the wants of the poor, the suffering, and the unfortunate.

First of all should the families of the soldiers, if needy, be supplied,  Then, the Sanitary, and Christian, and Freedmen’s Aid Commissions appeal to us—all noble charities, to which it is a duty, and should be a pleasure, to contribute freely.  But while our hearts are moved by the needs of the suffering, let us not be blind to the wants of the poor at home.  There should be an organization in this city to quietly relieve those who, not entirely destitute, are yet struggling ineffectually for those comforts which they actually need.

Let us give liberally of our store, and the remainder will be sweetened by the consciousness of having lightened the burden of the heavy laden, and given strength and courage, where else were sorrow and despair.

SHOULDER STRAPS.—Recent orders of the War Department declare that officers serving in the field are permitted to dispense with their shoulder straps and prescribed insignia of rank on their horse equipments.  The marks of rank prescribed to be worn on the shoulder-straps will be worn on the shoulders in place of straps.  Officers are permitted to wear overcoats of the same color and shape as those of the enlisted men of their command.  No marks of rank will be required on overcoats, hats or forage caps, nor will sashes or epaulettes be required.

INTERESTING TO DISABLED SOLDIERS.—It is asserted that the movement of department clerks at Washington for increase of salaries will be met by a counter movement for employing in all the Government offices, so far as is compatible with the public interest, those who have become disabled in the military and naval service of the country.  It is expected to pass Congress in form of a resolution enjoining upon heads of departments to give all such, found competent, a preference.

“COWARDLY SNEAKS.”—The Richmond Enquirer ridicules the idea that the incendiarism at New York was the result of a plot having the sanction of the confederate government, and expresses the hope that Gen. DIX [John A. Dix] will hang all the southern refugees in that city, whom it characterizes as “a set of cowardly sneaks, not above burning hotels.”  Those who defend rebellion have no business to shrink from bearing its burdens.

  The rebel papers are denouncing the secret sessions of their Congress.  The Charleston Mercury says is is [sic] high time that the people and the press should “lift a voice of earnest condemnation of this new system of smothering public opinion” which it adds “even the Yankees do not practice.”  The same paper in speaking of JEFF. DAVIS’ sanction of emancipation by putting slaves in the public service, to be subsequently freed, cries out :  “Whither have fled the ‘constitutional scruples’ once so characteristic of our chief magistrate ?”  [Jefferson Davis]

The Mercury is nearly as unhappy as it used to be under the Government of the Union.

A HARD ALTERNATIVE.—The rebel General Cheatham [Benjamin F. Cheatham] is understood to have said that Gen. Hood [John Bell Hood] has orders to “go to Nashville or to hell.”

Richmond newspapers of Saturday contain accounts of the recent rebel raids on the the [sic] Baltimore and Ohio railroad.  Gen. Rosser [Thomas L. Rosser] is said to have been in command, and it is stated that he captured at New Creek and Piedmont 800 prisoners, 8 cannon, 200 wagons and ambulances, 800 small arms, 1,500 horses, 1,600 head of cattle and a great amount of other property.⁴

1.  John Chivitngton (1821-1894) was a former Methodist minister who served as colonel of the 1st Colorado Volunteers during the Colorado War and the New Mexico Campaigns of the Civil War. In 1862, he was at the Battle of Glorieta Pass and earned high praise for his decisive stroke at Johnson’s Ranch, even though his discovery of the Confederate supply train was accidental it did force the Confederates to retreat since they lost their supplies. Two years later, on November 29, 1864, Chivington gained infamy for leading a 700-man force of Colorado Territory militia in a massacre of peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho at Sand Creek, about two-thirds of whom were women, children, and infants. The Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War conducted an investigation of the massacre, but while they condemned Chivington’s and his soldiers’ conduct in the strongest possible terms, no criminal charges were brought against him or them.
2.  Black Kettle (ca. 1803-1868) was a leader of the Southern Cheyenne Indians who was a peacemaker who accepted treaties to protect his people. He survived the Sand Creek Massacre, but was killed four years later at the Battle of Washita River.
3.  Most of the warriors were out hunting, which is why the victims were primarily women and children.
4.  Rosser’s Raid on New Creek took place on November 28, 1864, near Keyser, West Virginia.

1864 October 1: Letter from Colonel Dill in Dakota Territory

The following letter from Colonel Daniel J. Dill of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry appeared in the October 1, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal.  The 30th Wisconsin Infantry had many men from northwest Wisconsin.

Letter from Col. Dill.

HEADQUARTERS FORT RICE, D. T., }
August 15, 1864. }

FRIEND LUTE :—I thought a few lines from the 30th Wisconsin, to give you, and the readers of the JOURNAL, an idea where they are, might be of interest to some who have friends in the regiment.

The regiment, as has been its lot since its organization is scattered over Dakota Territory, in four different places, with one company at Fort Ridgely, Minn.

The Headquarters of the regiment, with Co’s A, C, F and H, are at this post.  Major Clowney [John Clowney] with Co’s D, E and K, is about one hundred and forty or fifty miles east of this, near James River, not far from what is called Jumping Lake.  Capt. D. C. Fulton, with Co. D, is at Fort Sully, about 200 miles south of this post.  The post built last fall, by Lt. Col. Bartlett, with Co’s D and F.  Capt. N. B. Greer, with Co. I, is at Fort Union, D. T., six miles above the mouth of the Yellow Stone [sic] River, near the line of Idaho.  Capt. A. B. Swain, with Co. G, was left at Fort Ridgley to garrison that post.

I first arrived at this place July 7th, in company with Brig. Gen’l ALF SULLY [Alfred Sully] and Staff, and my Staff, with a guard of thirty men under Lieut. Howes, on the steamer Island City, which was detached from the fleet for the purpose of examining the bank and country around for a proper point for the Fort.  On discovering this place we at once selected it and stuck up our pole.  I think it is the best point for a Fort that I have seen from Sioux City up.  We returned to the fleet in the evening.  The next morning the fleet got in motion for their destination, the first time they knew what it was.  The boats all arrived in the evening except those which did not get to the landing until the next morning, July 9th.  We had quite a tedious trip up the river from St. Louis, having been on the boats the most of the time from the 25th day of April.  Co. F joined the command at Fort Sully, also, Lieut. Col. Bartlett.

We at once went into camp, and the boats commenced unloading the supplies, when three of the largest boats were put to ferrying over Gen’l Sully’s command, known as the North-western Indian Expedition, composed of cavalry and artillery, about four thousand strong.  Part of the expedition was sent by Gen’l Sibly [sic: Henry Hastings Sibley] from Minnesota across the country ;  the other portion (the larger one) the Gen’l brought up from Sioux City and Fort Randall, all meeting at Swan Lake, a point about one hundred miles below this, where the fleet had arrived some two days before.—At that point the Gen’l joined the fleet and left the expedition under command of Col. Thomas, of the 8th Minnesota, after supplying it with rations and forage.

The expedition after being formed, and was fitted out with supplies and left on the 19th of July moving up the Cannon Ball River, keeping out of the range of the impassable hills and streams emtying [sic] into the Missouri, directing their course to a point on the Yellow Stone [sic] River known as Brazeaus [sic: Brazeau’s] House.  On the third day after the expedition had left, the steamer Effie Dean came down the river, having two traders on board from Fort Bethal [sic: Berthold], who reported that the Indians were encamped, about one thousand lodges strong on the head of Knife River, or between that and Little Missouri river.  I at once sent a messenger after the Gen’l, telling him where they were reported to be.  The messenger overtook him the next day, about 75 miles out, when he at once changed his course towards where they were reported to be.  If he had continued on his course he would have left them to his right about 60 miles.  On the 28th of July he came on them with the most of his force and had quite a spirited fight with them, lasting about six hours.  He states in his dispatch to me that they killed 150 Indians and distroyed [sic] their camp and supplies.  The Gen’l says they appeared so confident of whipping him that they did not commence to take down their tepees until he was right on them.  They retreated into a mountainous country with large ravines, where it was impossible to pursue them.  He left them and returned to his route where he expected to move on to Yellow Stone [sic].  He thought he would get there in ten days from date of writing, which would have been yesterday.—Five boats went up from this place to Fort Union with supplies for that post and the expedition.  It was a question whether they could get up.  I heard from them yesterday by men who came down the Yellow Stone [sic] in flat boats from near Virginia City.  They passed them about 15 miles below Brazeaus [sic] House trying to get over a bar which it was doubtful whether they could pass.  The men report that the Yellow Stone [sic] can be navigated to the mouth of the Big Horn if they can get over that one bar.

Miners report that the country is overrun about Virginia [City] ;  that the emigration is immense, and a great many will necessarily suffer the coming winter.  I think they had better went into the service than ran away from it, as many thousands did.  There is another class in the mines, they tell me, that is not to be pitied—secessionists ;  that it became too hot for them to remain in the States.  A large number of that class went up on the boats this spring.  One boat that part of Co. I was on was loaded with that kind of customers.  Lieut. Buckman, who was in command, had considerable trouble to prevent a collision between them and the soldiers.  One of the fleet of boats sent up with supplies to Fort Union, snagged and sunk.  She was a total loss except the most of her machinery.  One of the four which I had bringing supplies from Fort Sully, snagged the last trip down and came very near sinking.  She was able to keep afloat and went on down.  We have got all the supplies up for this post and Fort Union, and also the supplies for the post at Devil’s Lake, which was to be established this season, but has been abandoned for the present, and the supplies will be stored here this winter.  Our amount of supplies in quite large ;  no danger of suffering for a year to come at least.

We are getting along very well with our Fort ;  have nearly all the outside buildings up, seventeen in number.  Inside of them barraks [sic] for the men and quarters for officers will be built.  There will be 30 buildings in all when put up.  They run in length from 64 to 160 feet.  The Fort is 400 by 500 feet.  Our St. Croix men are the very men to build any kind of buildings.  Trempeleau and Washara county men are equally as good.  Gen. Sully says they are the best body of men he ever saw, as a regiment, and for working or building they excel.

The health of the command is good.  The morning report shows about thirty men sick ;  ten or twelve of them in the hospital ;  the rest slight cases of bowel complaints.  The weather is excessively hot through the day and cool at night.

Capt. Fiske arrived at this post this morning with his emigrant train for Idaho [Territory, now Montana].  There are about 200 teams.

Very Respectfully &c.,
.                      .DAN’L J. DILL.

1864 September 17: News of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry From the “Frontier Scout”

The following article on the 30th Wisconsin Infantry comes from the September 17, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal.  Companies A, D, F, I, and K of the 30th contained men from northwest Wisconsin.

From the Indian Frontier and the Thirtieth Regiment.

We have received a copy of the Frontier Scout,¹ a neat and spicy little three column, four page paper, started and owned by Co. I of the 30th Regiment, and published by WINNGAR [sic] & GOODWIN² at Fort Union, Dakota Territory.

The Sioux Indians are reported as pretty thick in that neighborhood, and very hostile.

An extra of the Scout, under date of July 29th, gives the following account of a skirmish on that day, from which it appears that our soldiers are aided by friendly Indians :

At a very early hour this morning we were aroused from our slumbers by the cry of “Indians !”  In a few moments the forces were out, but the Sioux kept at a respectful distance ;  they succeeded, however, in getting possession of two horses belonging to a small party of Assinnaboines [sic] camped near the fort.  After a few minutes skirmishing with them the big gun was brought to bear and a shrapnel shot fired at them, which killed one as it burst—tearing the bowels completely out of him.  The Assinnaboines [sic]  and three or four Mandans and Gros Ventres, with some of the soldiers, immediately gave chase.

About two miles and a half below they came up with the Sioux, who turned and gave battle.  Quite a sharp fire was kept up by both sides for a few minutes, when one of the Mandans succeeded in killing a Sioux and his horse.  After some more skirmishing it got too warm for the Sioux, and they retreated, leaving one warrior and two horses on the field.  The Assinnaboines [sic] immediately scalped their fallen enemy and cut off his hand bringing both hand and scalp to the fort as trophies.  They also recovered their two horses.  The Sioux fought bravely and made some desperate attempts to recover the body of their fallen friend, but their efforts were unaviling ;  they did succeed, however, in carrying off the body of the one killed by the shell.  Three Assinnaboines [sic] were wounded by arrows.

The Indians around the fort are having a big scalp dance—brandishing their bloody trophies aloft, singing, dancing, drumming, &c., in honor of the great victory.  We learn that at one time some of the boys were nearly surrounded by the red devils, but others coming up, they were rescued from their perilous situation, and so succeeded in driving the Sioux back.

The arrival of Chaplain GREEN³ at the Fort is mentioned in terms of warm rejoicing.  He had been seriously ill, but was better, and had visited this detached company to minister the wants of the soldiers, purposing soon to return to the other companies below.  The Scout says :

Mr. Green is truly the soldiers friend and we will venture the assertion that there are few men that have done as much for the benefit and comfort of the soldiers.  He is ever ready to assist the soldier in any manner that will conduce to his comfort to the utmost of his abilities.  In the hospital he is unremitting in his attentions to the sick, cheering and encouraging the down hearted and homesick and relieving their many wants in a thousand ways rarely thought of by the regular attendants.

Chaplain GREEN gives the following with regard to the present location of the different companies of the 30th:

Companies A, C, F and H, with Col’s Dill [Daniel J. Dill] and Bartlett,⁴ are on the west bank of the Missouri, five miles above Cannon Ball river, and thirty above the 46th deg. of north latitude, building Fort Rice (named after Gen. Rice [James C. Rice], the christian [sic] hero, who fell in the battle of the Wilderness.)  The boys are well and happy as possible so far from home and the struggle we enlisted for.  They have a band organized with a fine set of brass instruments.

Companies B, E, G, and K, under Major Clowney [John Clowney], left Fort Snelling, in Minnesota, about the 1st of June for James river, where they will work on a fort until the 8th Minnesota, now with Gen. Sully [Alfred Sully], relieves them in the fall, when they will join Colonel Dill at Fort Rice.  Company D remains at Fort Sully.

1.  Copies of the Frontier Scout are available at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Archives Division.
2.  Robert Winegar and Charles H. Goodwin, both from Eau Claire and both in Company I of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry.
3.  Asa B. Green, also from Eau Claire, was formerly a steamboat captain on the Mississippi. Rev. Green was commissioned chaplain of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry on October 25, 1862, and he mustered out September 20, 1865.
4.  Edward M. Bartlett, from Durand, was lieutenant colonel of the 30th Wisconsin.

1864 August 27: The 30th Wisconsin Infantry Marches West Across Minnesota

The following column is from the August 27, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal.  Company A of the 30th was the Saint Croix Guards and Company F was the Salomon Tigers, both primarily from northwest Wisconsin.  Companies D, I, and K also contained men from northwest Wisconsin.

OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

From the 30th Regiment.

The Departure of the Indian Expedition from
Fort Ridgely—What it consisted of—The March—
General Appearance of the Country—Incidents by the Way, etc., etc.

GARRISON FOR FORT WADSWORTH, D. T. }
Camp on Kettle Lake, Aug. 2d, 1864.}

In compliance with previous promise, I embrace this opportunity of acquainting your readers of the departure and progress of our expedition for the wilds of the great Northwest, under command of Major John Clowney, of the 30th Wisconsin volunteers.

Pursuant to orders, the 9th of July witnessed our departure from Fort Ridgely.  The expedition comprised companies B, E, and K, 30th Wis. Vol. Inf.; company M, 2d Minnesota cavalry, and three guns of Jones’ ¹ artillery, 3d Minnesota Light Artillery.  The accompanying train reached 2½ miles.  Twelve miles march brought us to Camp Hope, on the Lower Sioux Agency, overlooking the Minnesota river.  This agency, once the pride of the white man, now lies a complete ruin on the summit of the overhanging banks of the deep waters of the beautiful St. Peters.

July 10—We resumed our march, and 13 miles brought us to Redwood Lake, where we went into camp.  Our resting place for the night was in full view of the defense thrown up by Captain Pope in 1862.  Graves of whites and Indians encompassed us on all sides.  The remains of the whites had been exhumed, and funeral rites gone through with by relatives, friends and acquaintances.  Thus has the unfortunate been cared for who fell by the savage hand of the red man in their furious onset August 18th, 1862 ;  while on the other hand the ravens of the air have preyed upon the the dingy carcasses of the red men till nothing remains to mark their resting place but hollow graves and mouldering bones.

July 11.—At 5:15 p. m. we left Redwood Lake, and after marching till fifteen minutes of 9, camped on the open prairie, three miles from water, but within range of timber, and went to bed supperless.  This day was marched 9 miles.

July 12.—At 9 a. m. we left and marched five miles, and coming to water halted for the day.  Our camping ground was in full view of the former residence of the notorious Joe Brown, the husband of so many Indian women, the father of a multitude of half-breeds, and the possessor of an estate of 5,000 acres.  Joe was captured by the Indians in 1862, and his scalp was saved from the scalping knife through the intercession of his “better-halves.”  At present Joe is the leading scout of Gen. Sully [Alfred Sully], and is said to be one of the best in the Northwest.

July 13.—At about  5:30 A. M., we broke camp, passing on the Wood Lake route, where a desperate battle between whites and Indians was fought.  In the engagement the Indians are said to have numbered 3,000 and the whites 1,500.  The loss sustained by the whites was 75 killed, that of the Indians unknown.  The works thrown up are still existing.  At 10 A. M. we crossed the Yellow Medicine at the Upper Sioux Agency.  This place retains every indication of a once flurishing [sic] place.  Natural advantages for manufacturing are abundant.  Climbing to the summit of the hills on the western side of Yellow Medicine, a sad and desolating spectacle greets the eye.  Stretching for miles lies a fertile plain, once subservient to the hand of the husbandman, now assuming a harsh and primitive state.  Once beautiful buildings of brick now stand bereft of roofs, sections of walls, etc.  Household furniture lies rotting, while miles of fences are torn down, burned and strewed around.  Years of hard toil have been ruthlessly destroyed by savage fiends, men and women butchered, and children tortured to death.  We marched twelve miles this day, camped on an elevation of ground, close by good water, with abundance of pasturage.

Before proceeding further, I will say that the Upper Sioux Agency, on the Yellow Medicine, is the last place where signs of civilization will greet us.  Henceforth we are to encounter the wilds of Minnesota and Dakotah.  A more beautiful section of country than the Upper Sioux Agency is very seldom met with.  Wood and water are abundant.  Materials for building purposes and convenient.  Brick of the first class can be manufactured, in proof of which stands a kiln already burned, awaiting use.  I understand the Sioux reservation lands are to be appraised by three commissioners (already appointed) and sold for the benefit of the United States.  The lands comprise 710,000 acres, lying on the south and west banks of the Minnesota river, in a strip from nine to twelve miles long, running from Fort Ridgely to Big Stone Lake.  I have been creditably informed that the day is not far distant when this country will have the advantage of being penetrated by two railroads—one extending from Winona, the other from Minneapolis, running due west to the foot of Big Stone Lake.  I hold that the security of this country from all Indian depredations is complete, and emigrants seeking a home in the far West can here repose in safety.

July 14.—At 5½ o’clock A. M., broke camp and marched till 6 o’clock P. M., making 20 miles.  The day was exceedingly warm ;  men and animals suffered much from dust and the lack of water ;  several oxen fell by the way.  Sloughs the most filthy were explored for water, and finally an article unfit for man or beast was found, and devoured as if the best.  This day’s march was over a continuous plain, no tree or shrub to relieve the eye from monotony.  Our route led us past Camp Relief, where, in 1862, the Indians to the number of 1,800, comprising women, children and 250 warriors, peaceably delivered themselves up to the safe keeping of Brig. Gen. Sibley [Henry Sibley].  We camped on an eminence overlooking the peaceful waters of the Minnesota.  At this point of the stream wild fruits are plentiful.

July 15.—At precisely the hour of the day previous we packed tents, but owing to the fatigue of the 14th we made but eight miles march.  Coming in full view of Lac qui Parle river, which is bounded on both sides by broken hills, the ravines thickly wooded by ordinarily sized trees and a dense growth of underbrush, Company B being in front, the 1st platoon was “deployed in line” and skirmished the passage for the “redskins,” the 2d platoon following after, and each alternate company doing likewise ;  but “redskins” were scarce in this vicinity, and many of the boys evinced their confidence by taking to picking wild gooseberries, and did not make good their appearance till the western hills of the Lac qui Parle had been reached by the entire expedition.  The utility of having the rear company skirmish the passage after the entire train had passed did not appear evident to me, and I failed to see the “military necessity” of it on that occasion.  All things being satisfactory, a high hill was chosen as our camping ground, giving us a commanding view of the immediate country for miles.  This day was as hot as the previous one, and the atmosphere more oppressive.  About bedtime dark clouds loomed up from the west, and came spilling on a massed column, the artillery of heaven fired signal guns, warning us of the raising of the floodgates of the upper realm, while the lightning flashed—grapevine like—illuminating the entire sky.  Rain upon rain fell, and nature drank freely for a brief spell, when all was hushed in silence.  I must again remark that all the ills soldiers are heir to are not embodied in poor whisky [sic], salt junk and hard tack.  “Pup-tents,” commonly called shelter tents, are to the soldier the most abominable of them all, and often are they emphatically damned in a rain storm, and on this night got a severe blessing.

July 16.—Broke camp at 6 o’clock A. M.  The morning was delightful, and favorable for our march.  Traveling four hours, a halt was made to rest the animals and let them feed.  After an hour and ten minutes halt the march was renewed.  The afternoon’s sun came out with all his power, the intense rays of which affected man and beast.  The incidents of the day were enlivened by a brisk chase after a prairie wolf, which made good his escape.  A march of twelve miles brought us to Lake Ann, a small body of water on the open prairie.  The water of this lake being stagnant and unfit for use, wells were dug ;  but the supply they furnished not being sufficient to meet the demand on them, recourse was had to the lake water, which by straining and boiling was rendered “go-down-able.”  At this lake we remained for the night.

July 17th.—As early as 1 o’clock a. m. the sound of the bugle awoke us—as soon as possible, all hands flew to packing—breakfast over, “loading up” commenced, and at 20 minutes past three we had broken camp and were on our way.  The 17th being the Sabbath, the commanding officer went through a general overhauling of soldiers detached from their companies as teamsters, for the purpose of finding out whether or not they were properly equipped to defend themselves against an attacking foe.  Many were and more were not, but all were given to understand that they must become so at once, or abide the penalty of military disobedience, stringently administered.  The train was then formed into four lines deep—the front of the column protected by Company B and one piece of artillery, the centre supported by Co. K. and another piece of artillery, while the rear was guarded by Co. E., one piece of artillery and one platoon of cavalry, while the other platoons of cavalry were deployed as flankers.  The scouts being far in advance completed our marching position.  A march of 32 miles brought us to Big Turtle Lake, where we camped for the night.  Severe driving and want of water killed six of our oxen.  The waters of Big Turtle being very inferior, we were compelled, as on former occasions, to dig for it.

The departure of the returning train from Fort Wadsworth to Fort Ridgely, compels me to draw my letter to a close, as it carried with it all letters from the boys to the dear ones at home, and is the only means of conveyance we have as yet.  I understand that a mail route will be established by Major Clowney between Forts Wadsworth and Abercrombie.  Abercrombie is some eighty miles distant from Wadsworth, and if things are properly managed, we can have a mail once a week hereafter.  Capt. Fisk’s expedition, which is accompanying an emigrant train to Idaho, rendered us much service in getting the mails since leaving Fort Ridgely.  We being five march in advance, by the aid of our cavalry we held communication with him, and his cavalry with Fort Ridgely.—Thus since the 9th of July to the present we have received three mails.

In my next I shall give you a full account of our trip from Big Turtle Lake to Fort Wadsworth.

F. J. R.

1.  John Jones, from Saint Paul, Minnesota, was 39 when he became the captain of the 3r Minnesota Light Artillery Battery on February 25, 1863. He served in that capacity until the battery mustered out on February 27, 1866.

1864 August 20: Indian Hostilities and Military Fort Building on the Plains

Along with fighting the Civil War, the United State Army was also fighting an Indian War on the Great Plains.  In yesterday’s post we saw several references to General Alfred Sully fighting Indians in Idaho Territory.  The articles here on Indian affairs are from the August 20, 1864, issues of The Polk County Press and The Prescott Journal.  The first two describe hostilities with various Indian tribes in Nebraska and Colorado.

During the summer of 1864, Indians in Dakota Territory were angry and apprehensive because of the previous year’s  military expeditions—the Sibley and Sully Expeditions of 1863—which had severely injured area Dakota, Lakota, and Yanktonai bands of the Sioux nation.  In response, the Indians increased their attacks on Northern Plains transportation routes, including the Fisk Expeditions to the Idaho gold fields and steamboats traveling on the Upper Missouri.  In the summer of 1864, General Sully returned to the Upper Missouri to build a series of military forts.

The larger article below, from the Journal, is a letter from the 30th Wisconsin Infantry at Fort Wadsworth in “Dacotah” Territory (now called Fort Sisseton, located in present-day South Dakota).  The fort was formally established on August 1, 1864, by Major John Clowney and three companies (B, E, K) of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry. It was named to honor General James Samuel Wadsworth, who was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864. The fort was strategically located atop a tableland called Coteau des Praries.  The post was renamed Fort Sisseton, on August 29, 1876—after the local Sisseton Dakota Indians—when it was discovered that the original name conflicted with a Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island in New York.

The 30th Wisconsin Infantry included many northwest Wisconsin “boys” in companies A (Saint Croix Guards) and F (Salomon Tigers) and scattered other soldiers from northwest Wisconsin in companies D, I, and K.  Of those, only Company K was with Major Clowney.  Fort Rice, in present-day North Dakota, was established on July 7, 1864, and the first structures were built by companies A, C, H, and I of the 30th Wisconsin under Colonel Daniel J. Dill.  When Confederate General John Bell Hood invaded Tennessee, the 30th Wisconsin was called east, with only Company I staying in Dakota Territory at Fort Union.

From The Polk County Press:

FROM NEBRASKA.
WIDE-SPREAD INDIAN HOSTILITIES.

OMAHA, Aug. 11.

W. H. S. Hughes, Adj. Gen’l of Nebraska, has issued an order calling for two regiments of mounted infantry for Indian service, for four months to report to Brig. Gen. Hurford, and Brig. Gen. Coe, as soon as possible.¹  The following is the address of Gov. Saunders² to the citizens of Nebraska :  “News from our western borders is alarming.  Numerous trains of emigrants and freighters have been attacked, the owners have been killed, their wagons destroyed, stock run off, &c.  No less than four different points on the route between our territory and Denver were attacked in one day.  Indians are now known to be infesting those roads for a distance of several hundred miles.

All available troops have been sent forward.  We need more men in order to punish those savages, and give security to our frontier settlements.  In order to meet this want I have thought proper to call upon the able-bodied militia of the Territory to organize a few companies of minute men, who can, and will, if necessary, move at a moment’s warning to the scene of these depredations, to assist in punishing these murderers and robbers, or in driving them from the country.  I make this appeal hoping it will be responded to with willingness on their part.  The Adjt. Gen. has to-day issued a special order from these headquarters, giving particulars in regard to the manner of organizing and reporting these companies.

ALVIN SAUNDERS.²

INDIAN WAR FROM TEXAS TO BRITISH POSSESSIONS.

NEW YORK, Aug. 13.—The Herald’s Washington special says the Commissioner of Indian Affairs is informed by Gov. Evans³ of Colorado, that he is satisfied that nearly all the Indian tribes of the plains are combined in war against the whites, and it will be the largest Indian war this country has ever had, extending from Texas to the British Possessions.

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 13.—Gen. Curtis [Samuel R. Curtis] has returned from Fort Leavenworth.  White men supposed to be rebel emissaries, have been among the Indians, distributing gold, and inducing them to rise against the whites.

From The Prescott Journal:

MORE DEPREDATIONS.—A few days since a party of Sioux Indians made their appearance in Blue Earth Co. Minn., murdering and carrying away thirteen whites, stole eighteen horses, and succeeded in getting away unharmed.  They are pursued, and will probably be overtaken and scalped.

From the 30th Wisconsin—Interesting from Dacotah Territory.

Correspondence of the State Journal.

FORT WADSWORTH, DACOTA [sic] TERRITORY, }
July 29, 1864. }

The 30th Wisconsin volunteers having been so long stationed at Camp Randall, had formed many intimate associations.  Our name had become as familiar with you as household words.  Those associations, we trust, have not yet lost their interest at home.  After the slightly overdrawn picture, I noticed in your paper, of the sufferings endured by a portion of our command on our trip hither, I am tempted to intrude myself on your patience, deeming that a brief description of the locality of the destined goal in the far-off land of the Dacotahs, to which the command of Major Clowney⁴  has joined, will not be unacceptable.

Fort Wadsworth is to be located on a point between 45° and 40° north latitude, and in longitude 97° west, amid a cluster of beautiful lakes, laid down at random on the maps, on the Coteau des Prairies.⁵  Away from these lakes the country is bare and broken, the soil poor and rocky, the vegetation consisting principally of stunted buffalo grass and the treacherous cactus plant.  But the cluster of little lakes away in among these dry hills, surrounded by grassy, fertile valleys, and small groves of stately trees, form enchanting pictures, fit scenes for the inspiration of poet or painter.  You, with your beautiful lakes at Madison, may be able to form some conception of the scene.  Fancy a cluster of beautiful lakes, such as Lake Mendota, of clear, sparkling water, and a beach of sand and gravel ;  around the shores the landscape dotted with every variety of hill, valley, forest and prairie ;  around the margin, capes, promontories and peninsulas, covered with groves ;  islands rising up in oval forms from the centre, covered with trees and luxuriant shrubbery ;  then, in the various windings and turnings in the labyrinth, one sees straits, harbors, bays and channels, all in a miniature picture.  The effect of these visions of beauty is only heightened by the uninviting wilderness surrounding.

Of many of these lands[c]apes, ours is a chosen one.  In beauty I think it excels any I have seen, and as a defensive position, when fortified with proper care and guarded by soldierly vigilance, with a sufficiency of stores on hand, we think it may bid defiance to the whole Sioux [Dakota] nation, with their savage confederates thrown in.  We are on a table land, nestled among a cluster of these gens of the desert, a little peninsula connected with the main land by a strip of but a few rods wide.  Our peninsula extends from north to south about the distance of a mile and from east to west not quite half a mile.  In the centre of this the grounds are laid out for the fort.  A square, 676 feet deep by 61_ feet wide, is to be occupied by the various buildings of the fort, and outside of the embankments and rifle-pits are being thrown up.

The scenery on each side of us is of a character previously described.  Hills, valleys, groves and mild placid waters.  Groves narrowing into thin strips, sometimes in straight margins, at others crescent shaped, then widening out into a broad belt.

From the point of view occupied by our company on the east, we behold a picture excelling anything we have ever seen.  At our feet, separated by a steep grade, is a large lake about a quarter of a mile distant, a strip of timber extends out into the lake.  In this there is a break about the centre, revealing another sheet of water beyond ;  beyond this, timber and water again ;  thus continuing a succession of lakes, points, parks, and groves, terminating in hills, in a back ground, at a misty distance of 18 miles.

In the center of our parade ground, or square to be enclosed by the fort, is a circular mound of proportions so uniform that one would suppose them to be thrown up by the hand of a gardner [sic].  On this little mound occurred the following little incident :

JULY 29th, 1864.

I-ha-o-jaw-jaw, chief of the Sissatoes [sic], of Lac Traverse Sioux, accompanied by a body guard of brawny red men, dressed in gaudy attire—some in buckskin hunting shirts, ornamented with fine bead work, some with red blankets thrown around their bare shoulders, some with red sashes wound around their heads, others with antique head dresses, ornamented with feathers and other trinkets pleasing to the eye of the savage.  They rode into camp in true military style, alighted from their ponies and were received in the center of the camp ground by Major Clowny [sic], Adjutant Preistley⁶ and an interpreter.  The Indians, Major, Adjutant and interpreter sat on the ground.  After sitting in grave silence for a few moments, the soldiers meanwhile being kept at a respectful distance by the guard, Chief I-ha-o-jaw-jaw arose and approached the Major, shook him by the hand, likewise afterward the Adjutant and interpreter.  After the chief, each of the warriors, according to rank, arose successively and shook hands with the Major, Adjutant and interpreter.  The ceremony of shaking hands being ended, I-ha-o-jaw-jaw again arose, approached the Major and made a speech as follows :

“We have never been as well satisfied as now.  Whatever happened below was not the work of my band.  We did not join in the council to massacre whites.  We are not responsible for it.  Our fear of the consequences of it drove us away.  We hear that our Great Father has permitted those who did not join in the former massacre, to hold their former intercourse with the whites.  This affords the great satisfaction I speak of.  We see you now, and it is like seeing our Great Father.  We are much pleased at the meeting.  Our Great Father has a very long arm, and it has reached us here—we are under its shadow to-day.  We can only live when under the influence of our Great Father’s hand.  We look upon ourselves as the people of our Great Father.  The Indians of the North-west have a difficulty—we are ready to espouse the cause of the whites.  To the Great Father, whose representative you are to us, we go for protection and care.  We have been driven from our fields and hunting grounds.  We could not plant our corn—we do not know how we are to live through the coming winter.  We wish this to be made known to our great father, that we suffer not and die not for want of food.”

We were not present to hear the reply of the Major, but understood that I-ha-o-jaw-jaw was promised protection and that his statement with regard to food should be sent to the Great Father for consideration!

DACOTAH.

P. S.—The ridiculous picture drawn of our sufferings from Fort Snelling to Fort Ridgley is the subject of many amusing comments by the boys.  We have been trying to learn who were the soldiers that threw aside their guns and rushed frantically into the water.  None but your correspondent having had the pleasure of witnessing the interesting sight.  He must have had a more fortunate point of observation, back with the train, in the rear, from an ambulance or wagon.          D.

1.  According to the Illustrated History of Nebraska ( p. 177):  “A hundred Indians attacked a wagon train, killing, sacking, and burning with characteristic savagery. On the 11th of August, 1864, Adjt.-Gen. W. H. S. Hughes [William H. S. Hughes (1838-1901)] called for a regiment of six companies to be raised each side of the Platte [river], sixty-four men to a company ;  the North Platte companies to report to Brig.-Gen. O. P. Hurford [Oliver Perry Hurford (1830-1913)] at Omaha, and the South Platte to report to Col. Oliver P. Mason [Oliver Perry Mason (1828-1891)] at Nebraska City.”  Isaac Coe (1816-1899), brigadier general of volunteer militia, was at this time in charge of the 2d Brigade of Nebraska militia (p. 385). Illustrated History of Nebraska: A History of Nebraska from the Earliest Explorations of the Trans-Mississippi Region, by Julius Sterling Morton, Albert Watkins, George L. Miller, (Lincoln, Neb.: Jacob North & Company, 1907); available digitally on the Internet Archives.
2.  Alvin Saunders (1817-1899) was the Civil War governor of Nebraska Territory, serving from 1861 to 1867. He also served as a U.S. senator from Nebraska from 1877-1883.
3.  John Evans (1814-1897) was the second governor Colorado Territory from 1862 to 1865. Originally he was a medical doctor practicing in Indiana and Illinois. His wealth garnered him a fair amount of political power. He founded the Illinois Republican Party, becoming a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, who appointed him the territorial governor of Colorado in 1862. In 1864 Governor Evans appointed the Reverend John M. Chivington as colonel of the Colorado Volunteers and sent him with 800 cavalry troopers to attack a group of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians led by Black Kettle and camped along Sand Creek. The “Sand Creek Massacre” took place on November 28, 1864, when Colonel Chivington ordered his men to attack the encampment, killing about 53 unarmed men and 110 women and children and wounding many more. Governor Evans decorated Chivington and his men for their “valor in subduing the savages.” Evans fought off rumors that it was an unprovoked massacre, but in 1865 after an army and two Congressional investigations into the massacre, the U.S. Government admitted guilt and Evans was forced to resign. Important here is that Evans was implicated in creating the conditions for the massacre to occur by issuing a proclamation on August 11, 1864, “authorizing all citizens of Colorado, either individually or in such parties as they may organize, to go in pursuit of all hostile Indians on the plains” … and “also, to kill and destroy, as enemies of the country, wherever they may be found, all such hostile Indians.” (The Sand Creek Papers at the Tutt Library, Colorado College, include a copy of the August 11, 1864, proclamation; accessed August 21, 2014.)
4.  John Clowney (1816-1885), from Mineral Point, was commissioned the major of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry on September 8, 1862. Besides being in charge of this fort-building expedition in the Dakotas, he was on command of the Post at Frankfort, Kentucky, from March 8 to September 20, 1865, when the regiment mustered out.
5.  French for “hills of the prairies.” The fort sat atop the Coteau des Prairies.
6.  Thomas Priestly (d. 1890) was also from Mineral Point. He originally enlisted September 9, 1861, in the 11th Wisconsin Infantry where he was the 1st sergeant of Company E.  From there he was promoted to 2nd lieutenant of Company B of the 30th Wisconsin on September 8, 1862, and captain of Company B on January 27, 1865. He mustered out with the company on September 20, 1865.

1864 March 15: “Our prospect[s] are that we shall be kept in the State during our term of service”

The original letter is in the W. H. C. Folsom Papers (River Falls Mss S), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Camp Reno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Milwaukee Wis  Mar 15th [1864]

Mr. W. H. C. Folsom

Dr [Dear] Sir

As it has been a long time since I wrote to you and as yet have received no answer.  I received a letter from my Father today and he says my brother in law Mr. Arey¹ has an idea of coming out West — And as you wrote me that you did not have any one with you — I thought I would write you and see if find out if you did not want some one with you in the store and keeping your books. — My sister[‘]s health has been very poor and he say [sic] he will have to give up preaching this conference.  And I think the climate would make a great change with her and I would like very much to have her come West — It is no use for me to recommend him for a book-keeper for he cannot be beat — and is very fast with his work.  And is a man I know would suit you in every respect.  Now if you can employ him in any thing of that kind I should be very glad to have him come to Taylor Falls.  I wish you to write me what you think you can do for him ~

We have just got moved into our new camp and it has been awfull [sic] weather.  Rain & snow for the last week but to day it has frozen up & the traveling has been very bad.  Our prospect[s] are that we shall be kept in the State during our term of service (that is the majority of the Regiment).  4 companies are expecting to go up the Missouri River on Gen. Sully[‘]s Indian Expedition [Alfred Sully] about the middle of April & four companies kept at this camp. — We could not ask to be better situated than we are here as we are alone by ourselves on the bank of the lake & street cars run all the time to the camp. — I am still ambitious and think I shall reap my reward in a few days.

Write to me soon.  My respects to Mrs. F — hoping to hear from you soon.

I remain
.   .   .Yours as Ever
.   .   .       .Fred A Dresser

Direct          Camp “Reno”
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   . Milwaukee
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   Wis

1.  Frederick Dresser’s older sister Adelia L. (1834-1880) married the Rev. Benjamin Stone Arey (1826-1894) in 1855. There is no evidence that they ever left Maine.

Frederick A. Dresser letter of March 15, 1864, from the W. H. C. Folsom Papers (River Falls Mss S) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1864 February 13: News of the 12th and 30th Wisconsin Infantries

The following two articles on Wisconsin regiments that include local companies are from the
February 13, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal.  We know, from Edwin Levings’ January 26, 1864, letter that the 12th Infantry was not coming home on furlough, but the people of the St. Croix Valley did not yet know that.

The 12th Regiment.

The 12th Regiment has mainly re-enlisted, and Co. A. was expected home on furlough, but it appears they have joined an expedition down the Mississippi under Gen. Sherman [William T. Sherman].

The State Journal says: “The 12th expected to return as a veteran regiment re-enlisted, for a thirty days furlough, but by some mistake their re-enlistment papers were not completed until after the order to join this expedition was received.  They will therefore not return until the expedition has been completed.”

The Thirtieth Regiment.

We have recently seen a letter from our Member of Congress, stating that this fine regiment should be collected together, and immediately ordered into active service.  Capt. Fulton’s company [David C. Fulton] and another, are in Dacotah Territory, and would have to march through deep snow and intense cold, several hundred miles before they would reach a railroad.  It would be a matter of great difficulty, and extreme hazard to the lives of the soldiers, to undertake to march for their regiment before next May or June, as the spring floods will make the sloughs and small streams quite impassable.

We see no reasonable prospect, therefore, of the Regiment being collected together before the middle of next summer.

It has always appeared to us, that this regiment, nearly 1100 strong, has been kept idle through an influence at Madison that is not creditable to the executive powers that be.  We notice that Gov. Lewis [Lewis] has inaugurated several new reforms, and we hope that he will take this matter in hand, and send this regiment, or at least what there is left of it in the State, to the front.  Officers and privates are all desirous of going where they can be of some service.  It is a pity and a shame that so fine a body of men, so well drilled, and offcered [sic], should not have an opportunity to earn for the government even the rations they consume.—Hudson North Star

— The Star, we thing [sic: think] is unjust in its criticism on the State authorities, as the 30th has done much useful service, and the Governor had little or nothing to do in retaining the Regiment in the State.

At the same time, we hope the 30th may be ordered into active service, which we know they generally desire.