For an overview of this series publishing the trial records of the 38 Dakota men executed at Mankato Minnesota on December 26, 1862, see the first post.

Tataykagay’s is the twenty-second of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 155 Tay-ta-ka-gay

Page Images: #155 Tah-tay-ka-gay

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Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 155. TAY-TA-KA-GAY.—Convicted of murdering or of participating in the murder of Amos W. Huggins.[1]

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Trial Record September 1862

[Trial #155 – Tah-ta-ka-gay]

Proceedings of a Military Commission convened at Camp Release opposite the Mouth of Chippewa River by virtue of the following order

Order No. 55                           viz:

Head Quarters Camp Release September 28^th 1862

A Military Commission composed of Colonel Wm Crooks of the 6^th Reg., Lieut. Col. Marshall of the 7^th Regiment, Captains Grant & Bailey of the 6^th Reg. And Lieut. Olin of the 3^rd Reg. Will convene at some convenient point in camp at 10 o’clock this morning to try summarily the Mulatto, and Indians, or mixed bloods, now prisoners, or who may be brought before them, by direction of the Col. Commanding and pass judgment upon them, if found guilty of murder or other outrages upon the Whites, during the present State of hostilities of the Indians, the proceedings of the Commission to be returned to these Head Quarters immediately after their conclusion, for the consideration of the Col. Commanding.

The Commission will be governed in their proceedings, by Military Law and usage.

By order of the Colonel Commanding Military Expedition

(signed) S.H. Fowler

A.A.A. Genl

Head Qtrs. Camp Release Min. Oct. 15 1862

Order No. 65

I. The Military Commission of which Col. Wm Crooks 6^th Regt Minn Vols is President will reconvene tomorrow at 10 Oclock AM or as soon thereafter as practicable and proceed with the business before it.

II.Lieut. Col. Wm R Marshall 7^th Minn Vols being absent on duty Maj. Gen Bradley of the seventh is hereby detailed to fill the vacancy thus occasioned.

By order of Gen.l H.H. Sibley

S.W. Fowler Lieut Col. A.A.A. Gl

Camp Release opposite the mouth of the Chippewa River

October 16 1862

The Military Commission met pursuant to the above order-

Present

Col. Crooks – 6^th Reg. M. V.

Maj. Bradley, 7^th Regt. M.V.     Members

Capt. Grant, 6^th Regt. M.V.

Capt. Bailey, 6^th Regt. M. V.

Lt. Olin – 3^rd Regt. M. V., Judge Advocate

Adjutant Heard – McPhail’s Mounted Rangers – Recorder

The Military Commission was duly sworn and Ta-tay-ka-gay a Sioux Indian was arraigned in the following charge and specifications, viz

Charge and specification against Ta-tay-ka-gay a Sioux Indian

1^st Charge Participation in the murder of Amos W. Huggins

Specification In that Ta-tay-ka-gay a Sioux Indian did join with and participate in the murder of Amos W. Huggins on or about the 19^th day of August 1862.

2^nd Charge Participation in the murders robberies and outrages committed by the Sioux Indians on the Minnesota frontier

Specification –In this that he the said Ta-tay-ka-gay a Sioux Indian did join with and participate in the murders robberies and outrages committed by the Sioux Tribe of Indians on the Minnesota frontier between the 18^th day of August 1862 and the 28^th day of September 1862 particularly in the Battles at the Fort Ridgely, Birch Coolie, New Ulm, and Wood Lake –all this in the state of Minnesota aforesaid.

H.H. Sibley

Brig Gen Commanding

Witness

Julia LaFramboise

[Frame 196]

The prisoner states –

I was present when Huggins was murdered.  Another Indian shot him.  Two Indians were with me.

I was coming down to the battle of WoodLake but I returned.

Mrs. Julia LaFramboise, being sworn, says –

Prisoner came there with two other Indians.  They all had guns.  One of the others inquired for Mr. Huggins.  I told them he was not there.

They staid till he came. This Indian and another went towards him.  I heard the guns.  They told us then to leave the house. I heard two reports of guns in quick succession.  I did not see him when he was killed.  It was about 10 yds from the house.  This Indian told me to leave.  Each had a single barrel rifle.

Prisoner states –

I had a flint lock and the other Indian a percussion gun.  They were both single barrels.

I did not fire at Mr. Huggins.  I think the other Indian had a double barrel gun.

And there upon the case being closed the Commission was cleared and proceeded with their finding and sentence.

The Military Commission after due deliberation on the foregoing, the evidence being closed and Commission was cleared and proceeded with the finding and sentence.

The Military Commission find the prisoner, the said Ta-tay-ka-gay, a Sioux Indian, as follows –

Guilty of the 1^st specification, 1^st charge

Guilty of the 1^st charge

Guilty of the specification 2^nd charge

Guilty of the 2^nd charge,

And sentence him to be hung by the neck until he is dead.

                                    [signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

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Riggs Synopsis December 1862

22. Ta-ta-ka-gay (Wind Maker) is quite a young man, grandson of Secret [Spirit] Walker, who took care of Mrs. Josephine Huggins and her children in their captivity. He was one of those who killed Amos W. Huggins, at Lac qui Parle. The other two, who are probably the most guilty, have escaped; says he was at Red Iron’s village when he heard of the outbreak. Another Indian urged him to go up with him and kill Mr. Huggins. He refused at first, but afterwards went. His comrade shot Mr. H. and killed him; then he fired off his gun but held it up.[3]

Transcriptions by Walt Bachman and Carrie Reber Zeman. Page images provided by John Isch.