A Thrilling Narrative of Indian Captivity: Dispatches from the Dakota War of 1862

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.

Baptiste Campbell’s is the twenty-first of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 138 Baptiste Campbell

Page Images: #138 Baptiste Campbell

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Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 138. BAPTISTE CAMPBELL, a half breed.—Confessed that he was one of the party who murdered a man and woman, and that he shot first.—(See cases 115 and 175.)[1]

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Trial Record October 1862

[Trial #138 – Baptiste Campbell]

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

October           1862

The Military Commission was duly sworn and Baptiste Campbell, a half Breed was arraigned in the following charge and specifications, viz

Charge and specification against Baptiste Campbell, a half Breed

Charge –Participation in the murders, outrages & robberies committed by the Sioux Indians on the Minnesota frontier

Specification –In that he the said Baptiste Campbell, a half Breed 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, New Ulm and Birch Coolie and Wood Lake and also having killed fired at a white man.

By order of Gen.l H.H. Sibley

S.W. Fowler Lieut Col.

A.A.A. Gl

Witnesses

Ma-zee-bo-mdood

Henry Milord

Baptiste Campbell states –

They ask (sic) us to go on the other side of the river and catch horses and cattle – that they couldn’t catch them.  We went over – Henry Milord, Auge, and some Indians.

Crow told us, “if you don’t help to kill some white men you shall be killed.”

I went to a house – saw a white man – by a marsh a long distance off.  I shot first.

None went around the hill.  Wouldn’t hurt a man if we hadn’t been pushed.

Antoine Frenier, sworn – I heard witness state that Milord, Auge, and Indian and himself went over the river to get cattle, saw a white man, and fired at him.

Muzze-bom-doo, sworn, says –

I know deft.  One morning all the Indians had left Red Wood except another Indian and I who went over the river to get oxen.  Saw the half breeds coming from nowheres.  Heard they had killed a white man and woman.  Milord was one – Deft. was one I saw coming home.  Don’t think he had a gun.

Prisoner states –

I had a wife and children at Crow’s Village.

[Frame 63]

Little Crow said I must kill all the white men I met. He told me if I didn’t do as he said he would find a way to kill me.

I went to the Big Woods in a war party.  Crow was along.  They followed them along the road.  He went to a little town and they had a fight.  The soldiers and Indians ran so fast there I couldn’t keep up with them.  Jo. Campbell was there and Narcisse Frenier – Louis La Belle.  We went above the town, crossed the river 3 or 4 miles above.  We heard the firing at the town.  After we heard the firing Crow asked us to go towards the town.  When we got within a mile and a half of the town saw Indians with a white woman as prisoner.  Crow said the whites were too many for us and we left.

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 Baptiste Campbell, a half-breed, as follows –

Guilty of the specification

Guilty of the charge,

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

                                    [signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

21. Baptiste Campbell is the son of Scott Campbell, who was for many years United States interpreter at Fort Snelling. He thinks that they ought to have had a new trial; says he did not speak advisedly before the military commission. He went over the Minnesota River with four others. They were sent over by Little Crow, and told to get all the cattle they could and kill every white man; if they did not the Soldiers’ Lodge would take care of them. They went over to a farm between Beaver creek and Birch Coulee, where they found a lot of cattle, which they attempted to drive. The cattle, however, ran away, and their attention was attracted to the owner. Campbell fired his gun first but did not hit the man. He says his statement before the commission was misunderstood. He said he was a good shot, and if he had fired at the man he should have killed him; he fired over him intentionally; he fired because he felt compelled to do so by the command of Little Crow. Campbell says that Little Crow compelled him and his brother, Joseph, to go out to Hutchinson. They tried to get away at the time of the attack on Captain Strout’s company, but were prevented. They were forced to go to the battle at Hutchinson. Little Crow told them if they did not kill white men, they would be killed, but he didn’t shoot any men there.[3]

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

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.

Chaskaydon’s is the twentieth of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 121 Chaskay-don

Page Images: #121 Chaskay-don

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Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 121. CHASKAY-DON, or CHASKAY-ETAY.—Convicted of shooting and cutting open a woman who was with child.[1]

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Trial Record October 1862

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. 18 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 30^th[?] 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 Chaska-don or Chaska-etay-good a Sioux Indian was arraigned in the following charge and specifications, viz

Charge and specification against Chaska-don or Chaska-etay-good a Sioux Indian

Charge –Participation in the murders, outrages & robberies committed by the Sioux Indians on the Minnesota frontier

Specification –In that Chaska-don or Chaska-etay-good 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 and particularly at the Battles of the Fort, New Ulm, Birch Coolie, & Wood Lake.

By order of Gen.l H.H. Sibley

S.W. Fowler Lieut Col.

A.A.A. Gl

Witnesses

David Faribault

Alex LaFrambois

Lewis Taylor Co. E [?] Guards

Prisoner states

I fired 1 shot at the Fort at the gunners.

At WoodLake I fired one shot.

Lewis Thiele sworn says:

Prisoner shot a woman that was with child and then cut her open, at Redwood.  I have known prisoner for a year.  He has been frequently at my house.

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 Chaska-don or Chaska-etay, a Sioux Indian, as follows –

Guilty of the specification

Guilty of the charge,

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

                                    [signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

Riggs did not conduct a death-row interview with defendant 121, Chaskaydon/Caske Ite because another defendant was wrongly selected out for execution when Chaskaydon’s name was called. The Riggs “confession” numbered “20” was made by the wrong man so I have not included it with Chaskaydon (trial 121)’s case. Although Lincoln made out the hanging order using both names and trial numbers, none of the Dakota men in prison knew the number under which they had been tried.  –Carrie Reber Zeman

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

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.

Milord’s is the nineteenth of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 115 Henry Milord

Page Images: #115 Henry Milord

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Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 115. HENRY MILORD, a half breed.—Convicted of participating in the murder of a white man and woman.—(See cases 138 & 175.)[1]

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Trial Record October 1862

[Trial #115 – Henry Milord]

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 Henry Millord a Sioux Indian half Breed was arraigned in the following charge and specifications, viz

Charge and specification against Henry Millord a Sioux Indian half Breed

Charge –Participation in the murders, outrages & robberies committed by the Sioux Indians on the Minnesota frontier

Specification –In that Henry Millord a Sioux Indian half Breed 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 and particularly in the Battles at eh Fort, New Ulm, and Birch Coolie and fired his gun at the latter place and charged with the murder of a white man when in company with Etay-ho-ta.

By order of Gen.l H.H. Sibley

S.W. Fowler Lieut Col.

A.A.A. Gl

Witnesses

Etay-ho-ta

Godfrey

[Frame 850]

Prisoner states –

The he is not guilty of the charge.

Went from Red Wood to the fort.  Was present only at the 2^nd battle at fort – Was down in Coolie near Sutlers in Company, with his uncle David Faribault, Sam Robertson and many other ½ breeds, was looking at Indians.  Had gun, was broke, had a good gun, but an Indian took it and gave him his bad one in exchange.  Had some powder, gave it away to Indians who were in the fight.  Took no part in the fight (don’t recollect) did not want to take a part – staid in Coolie all the time, Indians all there in Coolie.  Did not go out of Coolie for fear of being killed.  Same reason kept Indians from going out of Coolie.  Staid all day in Coolie with other Indians when started down to N. Ulm on the other side.  Indians fired from Coolie (says “of course”).  Lock was broken, tried it, was loaded by Indian.  Tried it before arrival at fort.  Wouldn’t go at all (gun).  Old Indian took his good gun, asked prisoner for it.  Old man lived at Shakopee – is not here – made no objection to exchange of gun.

Went to N. Ulm in charge of Indian horses, never recovered my gun

[Frame 851]

Was looking on at fight at N. Ulm.  Was with David Faribault.  Was at lower end of town – staid all day – walked around.  Was fired on.  Indians guarded them.  Could not escape.  Was at WoodLake with Joe Campbell, was on hill.  Was forced to go by Indians.

Was at Birch Coolie.  Duncan Campbell and Jim Robertson were there.  Was ordered by Indians to go.  Zit-ka-na-no-ta was prominent in ordering him to go with Indians.  Had horses, a mule and white horse to take car of.  Had no gun.  White horse ridden by Sam Robinson’s brother. Had no gun. Fired no gun at Birch Coolie.

Don’t know E-tay-ho-ta.  Went on no tramps with Indians.  Was with Sam Robinson all the time.  Don’t recollect of firing a gun at any battle.  Am certain.  If I did, I did not see anything to shoot at.  When Indians first came to Y. Medicine cleaned gun and fired it.  Was not at lower agency.  Aug 18, was 2 ½ miles from Red Wood.  Indians gave me a blanket, was not present at breaking into of stores, etc.

Saw Crawford coming back from N. Ulm.  Faribault, Senr. Was stripped – painted – had gun.  Had his own horse.  Did not see or hear of Faribault’s firing

[Frame 852]

Did not see an Indian kill a white man.

E-tay-ho-ta, sworn, and oath explained to him.  He says he understands his duty under oath.  Don’t know anything.

Godfrey, sworn – Saw prisoner at fort. Saw him fire his gun at fort.  Saw him fire in direction of houses in fort. Near Coolie that goes up by Sutler’s house. Near Randall’s old store.  Prisoner did same as Indians. They would run up and fire and then run down again.  Was there.  Saw him fire a great many times, did not count the number of shots.

Saw him at New Ulm.  Saw him going down to New Ulm, but lost sight of him there.  Saw prisoner at Birch Coolie.  Saw him do nothing.  Saw him at a long distance.

Saw prisoner at WoodLake on horseback.  Saw him pick up a cannon ball.  That is all he saw him do.

Saw Ptan-doo-ta, at fort, was alongside of prisoner.  Did not see Faribault Senr. There. Did not see Tom Robertson there (at first).  Ma-za-e-bo-bdu told witness that prisoner and 2 other ½ breeds went across opposite Crow’s village and killed a white woman.  And Ma-za-e-bo-hdu go across after the woman was killed having gone over to look for oxen.  Saw prisoner and 2 ½ breed shoot white woman Prisoner is Prisoner had double barrel gun

[Frame 853]

a shot pouch and powder horn.

Prisoner asked other Indians for lead and powder.  Plan-du-ta was the Indian that furnished prisoner with powder and lead.  Prisoner and Plan-duta and witness were sitting together smoking.  Heard prisoner ask Plan-duta for balls.  Saw Plan-duta give prisoner balls.

Prisoner said to Ptanduta that he (prisoner) had a good chance to fire from near Randall’s store, but had run out of ammunition and for that reason ran down into the Coolie to get a supply.  After Planduta gave prisoner the balls, Henry Milord (prisoner) asked Planduta to go back with him to the back of Randall’s store.  Planduta replied that he had to look after his brother, and could not go back with him –

Maza-bomi-doo, only recognized prisoner out of the 3 half breeds.

Don’t remember names of other Indian who were present in Coolie, during conversation referred to above between prisoner and Plan-duta.

[Frame 857 (out of sequence) transcript attempts a possible original order]

Baptiste Campbell, sworn, says –

I know Henry Milord.

I went over the river with him from Crow’s place – right across.

We were sent over by the Indians to drive some cattle across.  We saw a man there with a lot of cattle.

We tried to drive them, but they ran off.  We shot at the man.  Henry Milord, Hypolite Auge and Henry Coon (sp?) (an Indian dressed in white) and another Indian, all shot at him.  E-ta-ho-ta, the other Indian (not dressed in white) was was [sic] in the party.  Killed the white man.

I shot first.  The Indian shot last and hit him.  Killed him.  Milord never went to any fight.

Milord was in camp at the fight at the Fort.  He never moved from camp.

He was not at the Fort.  I saw him here in the morning of the fight at New Ulm.

Muz-ze-bom-an, sworn, says –

The prisoner and some other half breeds went over the river and when they came back told the other Indians that they had killed a white man and a

[Frame 854]

white woman.

Ptan-du-tah, sworn, says –

I know Milord.

Milord asked me at the Fort for a light for his pipe.  Henry then told me that we had better go down in the ravine, as they were firing at them.  I then saw Henry go down in the ravine.  Henry let me have 4 bullets. I had the bullets in my hand and went down the hill.

I saw Henry fire 2 shots.  Henry fired from near the Sutter’s store the Coolie.  I didn’t see the Negro there.

Henry didn’t fire away all he had.

Henry had a double barred gun there.  I was some distance from him but saw him fire.

Henry had a bad looking gun.  Henry told me the gun wouldn’t go.  One of the locks was bad.

Dft. States – I tried to fie twice at the Fort, but my gun snapped.  Tazoo tells the truth with this exception.

Muzzeboomida says – I saw deft come across the river at Crow’s

[Frame 855]

Village.  I heard Henry and a lot of others went across the river and killed a white man and woman.  I heard some of the party say so – in presence of Henry.

Deft. says –

It is truth.  I said what last witness says in my presence.

I heard the Indians were firing and heard they killed a white man.

I fired my gun as Campbell says.  I fired my gun off after the Indians fired and the man was dead.  When we went out only one white man was killed.

I was 5 or 6 rods from the white man when he was shot.  It was on a hill.

I heard John Coon fire one shot.  Hypolite fired one.  He fell at the second shot.

The Indians crept around through the ravine and fired.  I snapped my gun before the Indian shot him.

I thought he was dead because he fell before I fired.

Thos.Robinson – I never saw deft. kill any white man.

[Frame 858 out of sequence?]

I have heard since I have been in camp that deft. killed a person – David Faribault said so.  Said he heard it from another Indian.

Ta-shon-kay-muzza, my brother, was the Indian who rode the white horse at Birch Coolie.

[Frame 856]

When Milord came to where I was standing Ptanduta asked him where he came from.  He said that he came from behind the Sutler’s store and wanted some powder and ball.

Prisoner states –

Hypolite Auge and Baptiste Campbell went across the river at Crow’s Village for cattle to bring them on this side at the request of Indians.  They sent us over to get them.

There was no one present but the witness and Planduta when the comments to which witness alludes at the Fort is said to have taken place.

We saw no woman there.  I we had we should (?) have brought her here.

I came up the Coolie and asked Planduta for a light for my pipe.  Godfrey was coming up.  I lit it and we smoked together.  I don’t remember of asking for powder or balls.  Told Planduta I have given away all my powder and lead to the Indians.  Plan-duta gave me neither powder or balls.

[Frame 859 ]

David Faribault sworn –

The second day of the outrages, Milord said they shot at a woman with a young Indian.

The Indian said he shot the man and Henry said “No, he shot him.”  I wouldn’t believe a word he says.  I don’t think Milord was forced to go over the river.  They said the woman and man were fixing a stack of oats when they killed them. He talked of it as if he wanted to do it.

When Milord spoke of killing whites I said he oughtn’t  to have done it.  He said, well, he had killed one any way.

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, Henry Milord, as follows –

Guilty of the specification

Guilty of the charge,

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

                                    [signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

19. Henry Milord (a halfbreed): Henry says he went over the river with Baptiste Campbell and others. They were forced to go by Little Crow. He fired his gun at a woman, but does not think he killed her. Several others fired at her, also. He did not see her afterwards. Henry Milord was raised by General Sibley; he is a smart, active, intelligent young man, and as such would be likely to be drawn into the Dakota rebellion; indeed it was next to impossible for young men, whether halfbreeds or full bloods, to keep out of it. They are to be pitied as well as blamed.[3]

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

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.

Mahpeokenaji’s is the eighteenth of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 96 Mahpe-o-ke-na-ji

Page Images: #96 Mah-pe-o-ke-na-ji

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Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 96. MAHPE-O-KE-NA-JI.—Convicted of the murder of Antoine Young, and of participating in the murder of another man, four women, and eleven children.[1]

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Trial Record October 20 1862

[Trial #96 – Mahpe-oke-na-ji  – (Cut Nose)] 

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 20 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 Mahpe oke-na-ji a Sioux Indian was arraigned in the following charge and specifications, viz

Charge and specification against Mahpe-oke-na-ji a Sioux Indian

Charge –Participation in the murders, outrages & robberies committed by the Sioux Indians on the Minnesota frontier

Specification –In that Mahpe-oke-na-ji 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 and particularly in the Battles at the Fort, New Ulm, Birch Coolie and Wood Lake. Killed Andrew Young in Forbes store and was engaged in the massacres of Beaver Creek.

By order of Gen.l H.H. Sibley

S.W. Fowler Lieut Col.

A.A.A. Gl

Witnesses

Jack Frazier

Lewis Tayler, Co.E. 6^th

[Frame 721]

Prisoner states

Was on the west side of the Fort at the battle.  Was not at New Ulm nor at Birch Coolie.  Was at the Big Woods and behind time.  Did not kill a white man at any time.  Fired three shots at Beaver Creek.

Jack Frazier sworn – On the morning of the outbreak I was standing by Forbes store.  Indians were going by.  He heard firing and asked the Indians what it meant. They said the Chippeways were on the other side of the river and they were going across. Saw prisoner level his gun at Antoine Young and shoot him dead.  Then witness went into the house and hid himself.

Lewis Thiele.  About ½ past ten prisoner with about 40 other Indians came up from the agency to Red Wood. He shot one man off a wagon.  I saw him strike the persons in the wagon with a knife.  There were 4 women and 11 children.  They were all killed.

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 Mahpe-oke-na-ji, a Sioux Indian, as follows –

Guilty of the specification

Guilty of the charge,

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

                                    [signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

18. Mah-pe—ke-ne-jin (Who Stands on the Cloud) Cut Nose says that when Little Crow proposed to kill the traders he went along. He says he is charged with having killed a carpenter but didn’t do it. He fired off his gun in one of the stores. His nephew was killed at Fort Ridgely. He was out at Hutchinson when his son was killed. Little Crow took them out. He was hungry and went over to an ox. When there he saved Mr. Brown’s family.[3]

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

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.

Haypeedan’s (Wamne omne hota’s) is the seventeenth of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 70 Hay-pee-don

Page Images: #70 Hay-pee-don

*****

Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 70. HAY-PEE-DON, or WAMNE-OMNE-HO-TA.—Cut Mrs. Thieler with a hatchet after she had been shot by another Indian, and fired many shots at the fort.[1]

*****

Trial Record October 1862

[Trial #70 – Ha-pe-don or Wamne-omne-hota]

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 CampRelease

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 Gen.l H.H. Sibley

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

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 18 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 then duly sworn and Hay-pee-dan a Sioux Indian was arraigned in the following charge and specifications, viz

Charge and specification against Hay-pee-don or Wamne-omne-hota a Sioux Indian

Charge –Participation in the murders, outrages & robberies committed by the Sioux Indians on the Minnesota frontier

Specification –In that Hay-pee-don or Wamne-omne-hota 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 and particularly in the Battles at the Fort and New Ulm.

By order of Gen.l H.H. Sibley

S.W. Fowler Lieut Col.

A.A.A. Gl

Witnesses

Thos Robertson

David Faribault

The prisoner states –

I was at the Fort.  I fired a good many shots between the buildings.

Lewis Thieler, sworn, says – A man with a cut nose shot my wife, and this man cut her twice with a hatchet.

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 Wa-ta-to-kay-cha Hay-pee-don or Wamne-omne-hota, a Sioux Indian, as follows –

Guilty of the specification

Guilty of the charge,

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

IVD Heard recorder

                                    [signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

17. Hay-pe-dan (third child if a son) says he was not at the stores until it was all over there. He was with Wabasha, and with him, opposed the outbreak. He was afterwards driven into it by being called a coward. He went across the Minnesota river and took two horses, and afterward captured a woman and two children. He tried to keep a white man from being killed but could not. He was at the ferry when Marsh’s men were killed, but had only a bow and arrows there. He was in three battles and shot six times, but does not know that he killed anyone.[3]

Williamson Translation of Wamniomni hota’s last words to his sister

“Gray Whirlwind to his sister, the wife of Big Eagle” [ Haypeedan or Wamne omne hota] December 25, 1862

My younger sister you are very dear to me, but you will see me no more. My younger sister do not grieve because I must die, I think I shall be happy, because I trust in the son of the Great God, therefore do not grieve on my account.

Wamniomni hota [4]

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

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.

Omdacha’s (Amdacha’s) is the sixteenth of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 69 Om-da-cha

Page Images: #69 Am-da-cha

*****

Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 69. OM-DA-CHA.—Took witness, David Faribault, prisoner, who says he shot two persons at his house.[i]

*****

Trial Record October 1862

[Trial #69 – Am-day-cha]

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 18 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

TheMilitary Commission was duly sworn and Am-day-cha a Sioux Indian was arraigned in the following charge and specifications, viz

Charge and specification against Am-day-cha a Sioux Indian

Charge –Participation in the murders, outrages & robberies committed by the Sioux Indians on the Minnesota frontier

Specification –In that Am-day-cha 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 and particularly in the Battles at the Fort, New Ulm, Birch Coolie, and Wood Lake, where he killed two persons and a third on his way home.

By order of Gen.l H.H. Sibley

S.W. Fowler Lieut Col.

A.A.A. Gl

Witness

David Faribault

[Frame 529]

The prisoner states – Didn’t fire at the Fort.  Was there at the first fight.  At the second fight fight [sic] at the Fort I shot two shots at them in the air.  Didn’t fire at New Ulm – wasn’t there.  Fired two shots at WoodLake.

David Faribault, Senr., sworn, says –

Deft. took us prisoners.  He shot two at my house.

Prisoner says – I He don’t remember about it – what Faribault says.

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 Am-da-cha, a Sioux Indian, as follows –

Guilty of the specification

Guilty of the charge,

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

                                    [signatures of Mil. Com.][ii]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

16. Am-da-cha (Broken to Pieces) says that he was doctoring a girl when he learned about the outbreak at the lower agency. He went with the others, and took some things from Mr. Forbes’ store. He fired his gun only twice, but thinks he did not kill anyone.[iii]

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

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.

Etayhootay’s is the fifteenth of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 68 E-tay-hoo-tay

Page Images: #68 E-tay-hoo-tay

*****

Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 68. E-TAY-HOO-TAY.—Told witness that he killed Divoll and seven white persons across the river; that the second day after crossing the river he killed a man and a woman.[1]

*****

Trial Record October 1862

[Trial #68 – E-tay-ho-ta]

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

Order No. 55   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

Order No. 65                                                               Head Qtrs. Camp Release Min. Oct. 18 1862

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. [ ] M.

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

TheMilitary Commission was duly sworn and Etay-ho-ta a Sioux Indian was arraigned in the following charge and specifications, viz

Charge and specification against Etay ho ta a Sioux Indian

Charge –Participation in the murders, outrages & robberies committed by the Sioux Indians on the Minnesota frontier

Specification –In that Etay-ho-ta 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 and particularly in the battles at the Fort, New Ulm, Birch Coolie, and Wood Lake, and said he killed seven the first day across the river and killed Divol after he was shot.

By order of Gen.l H.H. Sibley

S.W. Fowler Lieut Col.

A.A.A. Gl

Witness

David Faribault

[Frame 521]

Prisoner states –

I shot two shots at the Fort.

I saw Ha Kea shoot Divol.  I had no gun at the time.

David Faribault, sworn, says –

Deft. told me he killed Divoll.  He said he also killed seven whites across the river and his father said he said he would give him seven plumes to wear.

Prisoner states he didn’t kill Divoll.

David Faribault further states – Deft. told me the second day he crossed the river and killed a white man and a woman.

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, find the prisoner, the said Etay-ho-ta, a Sioux Indian, as follows –

Guilty of the specification

Guilty of the charge,

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

                                    [signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

15. Etay-doo-ta (Red Face) says he was woke up in the morning of Monday, the 18^th of August, and went with others, but he did not kill anybody.[3]

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

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.

Tunkanchatagmane’s is the fifteenth of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 67 Toon-kan-chan-tay-mani 

Page Images: #67 Toon-kan-e-cha-tay-mane

*****

Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 67. TOON-KAN-CHAH-TAY-MANE.—Said in the presence of witness that he shot a man in an ox-wagon, and was in several battles.[1]

*****

Trial Record September 1862

[Trial #67 – Toon-kan-e-cha-tay-mane]

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.

(Signed) H. H. Sibley

Colonel Commanding

Camp Release opposite the

Mouth of Chippewa River, Minn.

Sept. 28 1862

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 18 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 Toon-kan-e-chay-tah-mane a Sioux Indian was arraigned in the following charge and specifications, viz

Charge and specification against Toon-kan-e-chay-tah-mane a Sioux Indian

Charge –Participation in the murders, outrages & robberies committed by the Sioux Indians on the Minnesota frontier

Specification –In that Toon-kan-e-chay-tah-mane 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 and particularly in the Battle at the Fort where he was seen under the hill.

By order of Gen.l H.H. Sibley

S.W. Fowler Lieut Col.

A.A.A. Gl

Witness

David Faribault

The prisoner states –

I stood by the stable at the Fort. I didn’t fire at all. I was at New Ulm but didn’t fire my gun.  I was this side on a hill.  I didn’t fire at the last battle: was too far off.  Didn’t fire my gun off at all.  Didn’t get any plunder.

David Faribault sworn, says –

I saw deft. at the fight at New Ulm with a gun.  Didn’t see him fire.  He told in my presence that he shot a man in an ox wagon near Crow’s village, going down from Yellow Medicine.

Prisoner states –

Another Indian shot the white man and took the team.

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 Toon-kan-e-chay-tah-mane, a Sioux Indian, as follows –

Guilty of the specification

Guilty of the charge,

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

                                    [signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

14. Toon-kan-e-chah-tag-mane (One who walks by his grandfather) says he took nothing from the stores except a blanket. He was at Fort Ridgely but killed nobody. He is charged with killing white persons in a wagon, but he did not; they were killed by another man.[3]

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.

Sunkaska’s is the thirteenth of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 35 Shoon-ka-ska

Page Images: #35 Shoon-ka-ska

*****

Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 35. SHOON-KA-SKA, (White Dog.)—Was the leader of the party that attacked Captain Marsh’s company, and was the man who detained Captain Marsh in conversation until the Indians crossed the river and surrounded the command, and then gave them the signal to fire.[1]

*****

Trial Record October 16, 1862

[Trial #35 – Shoon-ka-ska]

            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.G.

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

[Frame 279]

The Military Commission was then duly sworn and Shoon-ka-ska, a Sioux Indian, was arraigned on the following charge and specification, viz

Charges and Specifications against Shoon-ka-ska, a Sioux Indian (White Dog)

Charges – Participation in the murders robberies and outrages committed by the Sioux tribe of Indians on the Minnesota Frontier.

Specification – In this that the said Shoon-ha-ska, a Sioux Indian, did between the 18^th day of August 1862 and the 28^th day of September 1862, join with and participate in the murders robberies, and outrages committed by the Sioux Indians on the Minnesota Frontier and did give the command to fire at Capt. Marsh’s command at the river near the Lower Agency on the 18^th day of August 1862.

Witnesses

Magner (of the Renville Rangers)

David Faribault

Thomas Robinson

Godfrey (Negro)

[Frame 275]

John Magner

When Capt. Marsh and his company got to the ferry, the prisoner was there with a big tomahawk and was all painted over –red –

Mr. Quin was interpreter for Capt. Marsh.  He asked him what he was doing with that weapon.  He said he had it for a pipe and he wanted to smoke with it.

Capt. Marsh asked me to go down the bank & see if I could ascertain how many Indians were across the way. I did so.

On my return to Capt. Marsh he asked me how many I had seen.  Deft. was then talking to Capt. Marsh to detain him while the Indians crossed the river to surround them. I heard the interpreter say so.

I told him it was impossible for me to count them as the place was red with their heads through the weeds on the opposite side.

Marsh ordered his men to about face and then the deft. waved his hand to the Indians & gave the order to fire.

[Frame 276]

[Speaker not identified]

I went down after they were all killed at Red Wood to find Prescott.  I then heard the firing at the ferry.

I went down and wanted to speak to the white soldiers and waved my hand to the Indian white soldiers to stand back.  They said if I ordered them to stand back they would kill me. I then did nothing. I then told Marsh to come over on the ferry.

Marsh told me to bring over the ferry boat.  It was in the middle of the river and I told Marsh to send over the flat boat.  Quin was just getting on the flat boat when the Indians fired.   Was not at Birch Coolie – I went to the Ferry Fort because I was afraid and was compelled to go.  I never fired a gun.  I was at New Ulm but lost my shot pouch with all the bullets in it.

[Frame 277]

[Speaker not identified]

I so understood it from Quinn.  I was so excited at the time that I don’t recollect about it exactly.

David Faribault –

I saw deft. about the agency houses at Red Wood. Saw him at the stores and saw him at FortRidgely.  I heard his wife say he talked with Quinn so as to give the Indians time to get around them. The woman said he gave the command to fire.  I saw deft. fire once at the Fort.

He was with a lot of Indians and they fired.  He shot once.  There were 20 in the party.

Godfred  – I saw deft. at New Ulm. I saw him again at Wood Lake.  I saw him there smoking with a tomahawk.  Didn’t see him shoot.  Didn’t hear him induce other to go into the fight.

I heard at Red Wood on the day Marsh was killed that White Dog had a council with the Indians Capt. Marsh – that he told him to cross the river.

Capt. Marsh through Quinn asked White Dog why they were killing the whites

[Frame 278]

& White Dog told him to come over.  That while they were talking the Indians crossed over.  I heard the Indians say that White Dog was the leader & had more influence than anyone there and that it was through them (sic) that the whites were killed.

And thereupon 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 Shoon-ka-ska, a Sioux Indian, as follows –

Guilty of the specification

Guilty of the charge,

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

                                    [signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

13. Shoon-ka-ska (White Dog) says that when the outbreak took place he ran away, and did not get any of the stolen property. At the ferry he talked with Quinn; first called them to come over, but when he saw that the Indians were in ambush he beckoned to Captain Marsh to stay back. He says his position and conduct at the ferry were misunderstood and misrepresented; that he wanted peace, and did not command the Indians to fire on Captain Marsh’s men; that another man should be put to death for that. He complains bitterly that he did not have a chance to tell the things as they were; that he could not have an opportunity of refuting the false testimony brought against him. He says that they all expected to have another trial –that they were promised it; that they have done great wrong to the white people, and do not refuse to die, but they think it hard that they did not have a fairer trial; that they want the President to know this.[3]

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

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.

Hapan’s is the twelfth of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 24 Ha-pan

Page Images: #24 Ha-pan

*****

Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 24. HA-PAN.—Confessed that he was in all the battles and at the murder of Mr. Patville, and that he aided in taking a white woman (Miss Williams) prisoner.[1]

*****

Trial Record October 1862

[Trial #24 – Ha-Pan]

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 CampRelease

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.

                                                                        (Signed) H. H. Sibley

                                                                                    Colonel Commanding

                                                                                    CampRelease opposite the

                                                                                    Mouth of Chippewa River, Minn.

                                                                                    Oct. 3, 1862

The Military Commission met pursuant to the above order-

Present

Col. Crooks – 6^th Reg. M. V.

Lt. Col. Marshall, 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 then duly sworn and (Hapan) son of E-a-chan-mo-ni, a Sioux Indian was arraigned on the following charge and specifications

Charge and Specification against Ha-pan, son of E a chan mo ni, a Sioux Indian –

Charge

Murder

Specification – In this that the said Ha-pan, a Sioux Indian, did on or about the 18^th day of August 1862 participate in the murder of Francis Patville, a white

[Frame 192]

citizen of the United States between Fort Ridgely and New Ulm, Minnesota.

Charge 2 – Participation in the murders and robberies committed by the Sioux tribe of Indians on the Minnesota frontier.

Specification – In this that the said Ha-pan, a Sioux Indian, did between the 18^th day of August 1862 and the 28^th day of September 1862 join with and participate in the various murders and robberies committed on the white citizens of the United States residing on the Minnesota Frontier.

[By order of, etc.]

Witness

Ta-zoo

Indian

The charge and specifications being read to the prisoner & he asked what he had to say –

Answered

I have been in all the fights. I don’t remember of killing a white man and that is the reason I am here.  I was at the Patville murder and caught hold of the woman, Tazoo had hold of – to save her life.  I saw the woman in camp – she was the same one Tazoo had hold of (Miss Williams). I got this ring of Hun-re-re-ne.

Ta-zoo states (not on oath)  I know Ha-pan.  He was out hunting &

[Frame 193]

joined the party at the time of the Patville murder. I & prisoner were in the hind wagon – when we saw the white people coming we all jumped out & ran towards them. When we go up the firing had commenced.  The prisoner didn’t go to where Patville was killed, but ran after a girl & caught her by the arm. Another Indian (my brother-in-law) had her by the other arm.

And thereupon the Court found the prisoner guilty & sentence him to be hung by the neck until he is dead was cleared and proceeded with their finding and sentence.

The Military Commission, after due deliberation, find the said prisoner as follows –

Guilty of the specification.

Guilty of the charge, and sentence him to be hung by the neck until he is dead.

                                                [Signatures of Mil. Com][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

12.  Hapan. –Second Child if a son—says he was not in the massacres of New Ulm nor the Agency. He was with the company who killed Patwell and his companions. He took one of the women. O ya tay wa  killed Patwell.[3]

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