Author Archives: Carrie Zeman

1863 SCC Claim No. 289: In the matter of Ernst Dietrich deceased

Posted on April 11, 2019

In July 2013, almost 150 years after the Sioux Claims Commission convened hearings in Minnesota and recorded her testimony, Pauline Dietrich spoke again. The story of Ernst Dietrich, told by his widow Pauline, was the first of 2,940 lost stories … Continue reading →

Posted in National Archives, Primary Sources | 1 Comment

Meet RG 217

Posted on April 3, 2019

It’s easy to imagine why Record Group 217 has been obscure. The nondescript name, “Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury,” promises little more glamorous than 19th-century auditors’ records. As the target of research, RG 217 is a last-picked-child … Continue reading →

Posted in National Archives, William Watts Folwell | Leave a comment

Whatever 3

Posted on March 27, 2019

Monday, March 25, 2019, I had the pleasure of preaching to a choir –follow historians and history advocates at the Minnesota History Whatever 3. Stephen Osman, now-retired from his position as Senior Historian at the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS), and … Continue reading →

Posted in National Archives, Primary Sources | Leave a comment

A Tribute to Alan R. Woolworth

Posted on August 16, 2014

On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 we lost a dear friend, colleague, and mentor with the passing of Alan R. Woolworth, who would have been 90 years old on August 19. A public memorial service will be held Saturday, August 30 … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan Woolworth | Tagged | 2 Comments

Sinte’s Story

Posted on November 22, 2013

Today Sinte, a Dakota woman exiled from Minnesota in 1863, stepped out of a 150-year old-letter via the voice of her great-granddaughter, Loretta, who commented on an 1863 letter written by U.S. Army Lieutenant James Gorman. Scroll down to the … Continue reading →

Posted in James Gorman, Sinte | Leave a comment

Officers, Gentlemen, and Dakota Women

Posted on October 23, 2013

Theodore G. Carter, an officer in the 7th Minnesota, Company K, adds his recollection to the series on relationships between Army officers and Dakota women on the Minnesota frontier. (The five-part series started here.) In his reminiscences, published in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Theo. G. Carter, Women's History | 1 Comment

Did Henry Sibley Execute His Son?

Posted on October 3, 2013

Love a good mystery? You’re in for a treat. Early in his research for Northern Slave, Black Dakota: The Life and Times of Joseph Godfrey, historian Walt Bachman unearthed rumors that Henry Milord, one of the 38 Dakota men executed at Mankato, Minnesota, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1862 Dakota War trials, Henry Milord, Walt Bachman | 1 Comment

1862 Dakota Peace Coalition

Posted on October 2, 2013

Please join me and the Linden Hills History Study Group on Monday, October 14 at 7:00 PM. We will meet at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 4201 Sheridan Avenue South in Minneapolis, MN as I share, and we discuss, the controversial … Continue reading →

Posted in Dakota Peace Party | Leave a comment

Army Officers and Dakota Women on the Minnesota Frontier, Part 5

Posted on September 30, 2013

This post is a classic exercise in doing history. The file of leads appears to be straight-forward. But upon a close reading of the texts, we are left to wonder.  Captain John S. Marsh of the 5th Minnesota Volunteers, Company B … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Historical Research, John S. Marsh, William P. Gere, Women's History | 1 Comment

Army Officers and Dakota Women on the Minnesota Frontier, Part 4

Posted on September 18, 2013

Rockford   Wright  County Minn July 25 1863 Samuel J. Brown, Esq. Dear Sir Not having anything in particular to do and thinking that it might interest you to know where the Bloody Co. “I” is stationed, I take this opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in Dakota Exile, James Gorman, Samuel J. Brown, scalping, Sinte | 13 Comments