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.

Dowansa’s is the eleventh of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 22 Do-wan-sa

Page Images: #22 Do-wan-sa

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Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 22. DO-WAN-SA.—Convicted of the murder of a white woman, and of the design to ravish her daughter, who was wounded by him and killed by another Indian before he had carried his design into execution.[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 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.

Sept. 28 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 Te-he-hdo-ne-cha Dowan-sa, a Sioux Indian, was arraigned on the following charges and specifications:

Charge –Murder

Specification 1^st In this that the said Dowan-sa, a Sioux Indian, did on or about the 23^rd day of August 1862 kill or did aid and abet in killing three men and two women at or near Swan Lake, Minnesota –

Specification 2^nd – In this that the said Dowan-sa, 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 various murders and outrages committed by the Sioux Indians on the Minnesota Frontier.

[By order of, etc.]

Witness

Godfrey (Negro)

[Frame 179]

Prisoner being asked whether he pleads guilty or not guilty said nothing in response thereto.

Godfrey – Being sworn says the prisoner told me he went to SwanLake.  He saw teams going along & run after them and killed white men, that when he overtook them he killed three white women and two men, that he intended [?] to take one good looking young woman home and her mother interfered. That he was leading the young woman away and her mother ran after to take her away & the Indians told him to shoot the mother.

That he shot the mother & wounded the daughter, that he went away & one of the Indians she wasn’t dead and he ran and pulled up her clothes and she jumped up and another Indian took his tomahawk and struck her in the head and killed her – I know him perfectly well.  I heard these facts from him.  He came to my lodge and told me of his doings. The prisoner told me that the party was made up of five besides himself.

The prisoner states when we got to Swan Lake we saw seven men on horseback coming this way and that when the seven men on horseback saw us they fired their guns at us and run away.

Hakah (Hay-chah-a-dah’s son and Pawn-pais-kah (sp?) and Ah-oh-kah-hin (sp?) and three of the YellowMedicine band of Indians were of the party.  What Gus says about the party is so. But I killed no one.

I got a horse belonging to one of the 7 men.  Then our party started for Little Crow’s Village.  We met this party this side of SwanLake.

[Frame 180]

I was with the party from the time they started from Crow’s village until they turned back from the horse-men –The party divided: one party contained three and one four men.

We got together in Bushe’s house in going down.

They were fighting at New Ulm and we were going there because all the other Indians were going there.

Was at the battle of New Ulm – at the Fort – at Birch Coolie and in the battle at Wood Lake.

There were three women killed: [seven men?] were there but they ran off.  One of the men was killed.  Oh-oh-kah-sin – (the man who looks over) was one of the Swan Lake [depredators?] – I told Gus what he says only I didn’t say I killed a white man – Oh-oh-kah-sin hid himself because he was afraid […?] of three murders.  He asked me to go and I didn’t remember anything.

When we turned back from the horsemen we went to New Ulm.

The testimony being closed the commission was then cleared and proceeded to the finding and sentence –

The Military Commission after due deliberation on the testimony adduced find the prisoner as follows –

Guilty of the Specification.

Guilty of the Charge.

And do therefore sentence him the said Dowan-sa, a Sioux Indian, to be hanged by the neck until he is dead.

I.V.D. Heard

Recorder –[2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

11. Dowansa (The Singer) Says he was one of the six who was down in the Swan Lake neighborhood. He knows that they killed two men and two women, but it was done by the rest of the party, and not by himself.[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.

Rdainyanka’s is the tenth of forty-one trials in this series. 

Transcript: Trial 19 Rda-in-yan-kua

Page Images: #19 Rda-in-ya-kna

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Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 19. RDA-IN-YAN-KUA.—Took a prominent part in all the battles, including the attack on New Ulm, leading and urging the Indians forward, and opposing the giving up of the captives when it was proposed by others.[1]

*****

Trial Record October 1862

[Trial #19 – Rda-in-yan-kna]

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.

Sept.

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 Rda in ya-kua a Sioux Indian was arraigned on the following charges and specifications

Charge –Participation in the Indian Murders & Robberies on the Minnesota Frontier

Specification –In this that the said Rda in ya-kua 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 Indian Massacres and Robberies committed by the Sioux Tribe of Indians on the Minnesota Frontier.

(official)                                              [signed By Order of H.H. Sibley etc.]

The prisoner being asked whether he is guilty or not guilty says he is not guilty and knows nothing because he half blind.

David Faribault sworn says – When I was first brought into Red-Wood I saw the prisoner very active among those who shot at the soldiers. Then I saw him at the Fort and at New Ulm and at the last battle.  I saw him firing at all the battles. He took a prominent part in them. He was the speaker and did all he could to get them ahead at the last battle in going down to it he made a speech in which he showed 2 bunches of wampum for the man who killed the first white man and that the one who would bring the scalp of Forbes or Sibley he was to have bunches of Crows feathers.  He ran through the camp before the last battle and exhorted the Indians to kill everybody and take all their guns —

Paul being sworn says – The band to which he belonged had the prisoners and I asked them to deliver them to me to give to the whites.  They refused.  I then killed a beeve and made a feast at which I again asked them to deliver over the prisoners.

When I asked them the prisoner got up and told me that Little Crow’s Soldiers were not willing to give up the prisoners and then another got up and said that it was the decision of the Soldiers not to give them up.

[Frame 153]

Sourvio [?] being duly sworn says – The Indians were all making a feast and were about to called. Paul and I were called to the feast and Paul asked the Indians to give up the prisoners.

Then they had a conversation and after that this Indian got up and said they have received bad treatment from the whites & etc. & that he intended to die with the captives.

Prisoner states further – I have said a great many things but I was compelled to say so.  There were 130 [150?] soldiers with arms in their hands who compelled me to say so. 120 soldiers of the lower Indians controlled the camp. They would go around the campfire with their guns and compel the other Indians to join them.

And thereupon the case being closed the commission was cleared and proceeded with their finding and sentence.

The Military Commission after due deliberation find the prisoner the said Rda-in-yan-ka, a Sioux Indian, as follows:

Guilty of the Specification.

Guilty of the charge and sentence him to be hung by the neck

[Frame 164]

until he is dead.

[Signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

10. Rda-in-yan-ka (Rattling Runner) Says he did not know of the uprising on Monday, the 18^th of August, until they had killed a number of men. He went out an met Little Crow and tried to stop  the murders, but could not. The next day his son was brought in wounded from Fort Ridgley. He forbade the delivering up of the white captives to Paul when he demanded them, and supposes he is being hung for that.[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.

Tatemima’s is the ninth of forty-one trials in this series. Tatemima received a last-minute reprieve and was not executed on December 26, 1862.

Transcript: Trial 15 Ta-te-mi-na

Page Images: #15 Ta-te-mi-na

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Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 15. TA-TE-MI-MA.—Convicted of murder, and of the capture of women and children.[1]

*****

Trial Record October 1862

[Trial #15 –Ta-Te-Me-Ma]

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.

Sept. 28 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 Ta-te-me-ma, a Sioux Indian, was arraigned on the following charge and specification –

Charge – Murder

Specification 1^st.  In this that the said Ta-te-mi-ma, a Sioux Indian, did on or about the 20^th day of August 1862 shoot and kill one white man a citizen of the United States at or near Kiztman’s farm about eight miles from Beaver Creek.

Specification 2^nd. In this that the said Ta-te-mi-ma, a Sioux Indian, did between the 18^th day of August 1862 and the 28 day of September 1862 join with and participate in various murders and robberies committed by the Sioux tribe of Indians on the Minnesota Frontier.

[Frame 140]

[By order of, etc.]

The prisoner being asked what he had to say in answer to the charge says-

I am not guilty.

Augustus Gluth being duly sworn says I saw this Indian hunt up a man and kill him- They took me prisoner where they shot this man.  This was about two hours before dark – Six weeks ago at Kitzman’s fence (?) eight miles this side of Beaver Creek – ON the other side there were twelve Indians in the party.  Don’t know the name of the man who was killed.  I was standing about twenty paces from the man when he was killed.

The man who was shot was praying.  Ten women were taken prisoners besides myself.  Some of them are here – Mrs. Frost [Frass] – Mrs. Lange. Both have two children.  Mrs. Krouse (sp?) – Mrs. Emifilch [Inhenfeldt]  – Mrs. Greburch [?] – Mrs. Eiservich [Eisenriech] – Miss Lest [Lenz] and one named Mary all taken at the same time but Miss Lest and Mary.

A great many were killed – All the people had come together there. He (deft) was preaching to the Indians while they were killing – They took me prisoner about two miles this side of the Fort.

Louis (sp?) Getzman [Kitzman] being sworn says.  I am twelve years old. Saw this old Indian shoot my mother.

[Frame 141]

The testimony being closed the Commission was then cleared and proceeded to its finding and sentence.

The Military Commission after due deliberation on the testimony adduced find the prisoner as follows:

Guilty of the Specifications.

Guilty of the Charge.

And do therefore sentence him the said Ta-te-mi-ma, a Sioux Indian, to be hung by the neck until he is dead –

(Note – Several of the women alluded to in the above testimony were called in but could not identify the prisoner.)

[Signatures of Mil. Com. Members][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

Ta tah-ta-me-ma (Round Wind) is a brother-in-law of the former well known Mr. Joseph Renville; he was the public crier for Little Crow, before and during the outbreak; after the battle at Wood Lake he came over to the opposition, and was the crier at Camp Release when the captives were delivered u; he was condemned on the testimony of two German boys who said they saw him kill their mother; the old man denies the charge –says he was not across the river at that time, and that he was unjustly condemned. He is the only one of the thirty-nine who has been at all in the habit of attending Protestant worship; on last Sabbath he requested Dr. Williamson to baptize him, professing faith in Jesus Christ, which was done on Monday, before he knew that he was among those to be hung at this time.[3]

*****

Williamson translation of Tatemima’s last words written to his wife

Tatemima to his wife December 25, 1862

My wife

Now you have been a member of the church for many winters. You know that I did not murder any person and so I thought I should see you again, but now I shall soon die. I wish you to think much of the Great God. My mind is now upon him and I think I shall soon go to him. I shall walk in the path of the son of the Great God. I wish you also to walk in it and so you will see me again. Command your three children who are with you to pray very much to the Great God.

My nephews and all my nieces all pray to the Great God. I think I shall now soon be happy in his house so pray much that you may see me there.

Tate Mima, Round Wind

This man was convicted of participating in the murders and sentenced to be hung on the testimony or two small German boys who doubtless mistook him for another man. I never believed him guilty because my son in law in his flight saw him and spoke to him and was completely in his power and yet was not molested by him, though at the time neither of them recognized the other, and a week after the massacre going to some of the deserted houses he found a little girl about five years old almost starved to death took her home and had her carefully nursed till she got well, and was restored with the other captives. Yet I fully expected he would be executed with the others as he did himself, but the night before the execution a dispatch was received from the President countermanding the order for his execution, which however was not made known either to himself or me till after the others were executed. T.S.W. [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.

Suamani’s (Snamani’s) is the eighth of forty-one trials in this series.

Transcript: Trial 14 Sua-ma-ni

Page Images: #14 Sna-ma-ni

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Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 14. SUA-MA-NI.—Convicted of the murder of two persons.[1]

*****

Trial Record October 1862

[Trial #14 – Sna-Ma-Ni]

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.

Sept. 28 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 Te-he-hdo-ne-cha Sna-Ma-Ni, a Sioux Indian, was arraigned on the following charges and specifications.

Charge – Murder.

Specification 1^st. In this that the said Sna-ma-ni, A Sioux Indian, did on or about the 20^th day of August1862 shoot and kill two (?) white men citizens of the United States at or near Kitzman’s farm about eight miles from Beaver Creek.

Specification 2^nd – In this that the said Sna-ma-ni, 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 various murders and robberies committed by the Sioux tribe of Indians on the Minnesota Frontier.

[By order of, etc.]

Witness

[Frame 134]

And thereupon the prisoner being asked what he had to say in answer to the charge made the following statement.

I plead not guilty.

Augustus Gluth being sworn says I have seen this Indian before – I saw the prisoner kill two men near Kitzman’s farm near Beaver Creek.

Sophy (sic) Loomis (sp?) says – I was of the party that Augustus Gluth was when taken prisoner. I think I saw the prisoner then but I can’t swear to it.

Pauline Urban being sworn says – I was {in?] the party in which this boy was taken prisoner.

The old man Ta-te-mi-nah went along with us after we were taken prisoners. Was one of the worst – The old man appeared to be the leader and preached several times a day to them.  The old man was not where we we (sic) were taken prisoners.  We were 9 hours going from where we were captured.

The testimony being closed the Commission was then cleared and proceeded to the finding and sentence.

The Military Commission after due deliberation on the testimony adduced find the prisoner as follows:

Guilty of the Specification.

Guilty of the Charge.  And do therefore sentence him the said Sna-ma-ni, A Sioux Indian, to be hanged by the neck until he is dead.[2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

Qua-ma-ne (Tinkling Walker) says he was condemned on the testimony of two German boys; they say he killed two persons; the boys told lies, he was not at that place at all.[3]

*****

Williamson translation of Snamani’s last letter

Sounding Walker [Snamani] to his wife & children December 25, 1862

My wife you will see me no more. My children I greatly desire you to attend the schools taught by the missionaries.

Snamani [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.

Wahehud’s is the seventh of forty trials in this series.

Transcript: Trial 12 Wah-he-hud

Page Images: #12 Wah-ho-hud

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Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 12. WAH-HE-HUD.—Convicted of participating in the battles, and of murder.[1]

*****

Trial Record October 3[?] 1862

[Trial #12 – Wa-Ho-Hna; Wa-he-hud]

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 the Colonel H. H. Sibley Commanding Military Expedition

Signed A.A.A. Gnl.

CampRelease opposite the

Mouth of Chippewa River, Minn.

Oct 3^rd [?] 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

Charges and Specifications against Wa-Ho-Hna

Charge 1^st

Murder

Specification In this that said Wa-ho-hna, a Sioux Indian, did at New Ulm or at or near Fort Ridgely, Minn., on or about the 25^th day of August 1862 named Richardson

Charge 2^nd

Making war upon Citizens of the United States.

Specification In this that said Wa-ho-hna, a Sioux Indian, did between the 18^th day of August 1862 and the 28^th day of Sept. 1862 participate in the various onslaughts and murders of the white citizens of the United States committed by the war parties of his tribe on the Minnesota frontier.

Witness

David Faribault [Sr.]                                       [By order of H. H. Sibley, names of commission]

[Frame 118]

The prisoner being asked whether he was guilty or not guilty, says

I am not guilty.  I have been in 3 battles – have shot at white people, but I [never?] took good aim. I was threatened by the Indians if I didn’t go – Don’t remember of having killed a white man. If I had I would be with Little Crow – at the battle of Birch Coolie I was below the Fort with a party to take horses – the Indians killed one and took one alive.  I have stolen horses and I tell you I have fired at white men in battle.  The Indians gave me powder and bullets and the soldiers made me go.

David Faribault Senr being first duly sworn says-

I heard him say to another Indian that Richardson was coming on horse back and they shot him off his horse and murdered him and then tried to get some news of him and after they got it – they shot him dead – It was near the Fort – or New Ulm.  The man said “Hear Now you have got the news let me go – and he shot him.  The prisoner shot him.  I heard him say so soon after the battle at New Ulm.  Don’t recollect the time.

The prisoner further says that he joined the soldier’s lodge after the outbreak.

The case being closed, the Commission was cleared and proceeded with their finding.

[119]

The Military Commission after deliberation on the foregoing finds the prisoner the said Wa-ha-hud, a Sioux Indian, as follows:

Guilty on the specification.

Guilty on the Charge.

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

[Signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

Wa he hua (do not know what the name means) said that he did not kill anyone; if he had believed he had killed a white man he would have fled with Little Crow; the witnesses lied on him.[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.

Wapaduta’s is the sixth of forty-one trials in this series.

Transcript: Trial 11 Wa-pa-du-ta

Page Images: #11 Wa-pa-du-ta

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Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 11. WAH-PA-DU-TA.—Confesses that he was engaged in the massacres, and that he shot a white man.[1]

*****

Trial Record October 7, 1862

[Frame 106 – trial #11 – Wah-Pa-Du-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                           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 the Colonel Commanding Military Expedition

Signed H. H. Sibley

Colonel Commanding

A.A.A. Gen.l

CampRelease opposite the

Mouth of Chippewa River, Minn.

Oct. 7 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 Wah-pa-doo-ta, a Sioux Indian, was arraigned on the following charge and specification viz:

[Frame 111 – note frame out of sequence]

Charge and specification against Wah-pa-doo-ta, a Sioux Indian

Charge – Participating in the murders and robberies of whites by the Sioux Indians. Specification – In this that the said Wah-pa-doo-ta, 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 and robberies committed by the Sioux Indians on the persons and property of the white citizens of the United States on the Minnesota Frontier.

[By order of, etc.]

[Frame 107]

The prisoner being asked whether he was guilty or not guilty, made the following statement:

I am not guilty. At the time of the outbreak I was among the settlements and the Indians came down and that was the first news I heard of it.  I was living with the Germans at near New Ulm.  They built a house for me.  I did not go to New Ulm.  I was at the battle this side of the Cotton Wood River – at New Ulm.  I had no gun and was a good ways off – had not even a knife – Have not been at with any other war party – have kept myself at home – I am telling the truth.  I and my German neighbors were great friends.  I was not at the Lower Agency when the murders were committed there.

I have killed no white men.  I was going into a house and a white man presented his gun to my breast and I shot him.  Some of the Indians said I had shot another white man, but it is not true.

David Faribault, being duly sworn says-

I was at the prisoner’s lodge the day after the troops came here and he told me he killed 2;  have seen him often at battles – at New Ulm – at the Fort and at the last battle.  He said the persons he killed were 2 cooks – I thought he meant Myrick – He said he shot one in the head and one in the body-

His wife was present.  The place he mentioned was where [?????] and Myrick were killed.

The prisoner further states: All the Dakotas have killed whites.  If the guilty are punished, there will be none left – I saw [Wacouta?] in war parties where I was –

[Frame 108]

The prisoner further states-

The man I shot was near New Ulm – I was in the battle at the Fort but had no arms- It was an old man that I shot with a white head of hair – I shot him and he fell-

The Negro was with the party at the time but was not present – the negro is my son-in-law – I heard he was a brave man – A The family was killed on the west side of New Ulm on the hill – I went there and found they were killed after I heard firing – Tazoo was of the party who killed them – He is a juggler.  It was below the Fort near a stream where the nigger killed people with a hatchet – There is another stream near this one – The negro killed 4 – I was always with him at the start but I was left behind – When I overtook them they told me the others killed 12 – He had a gun and a hatchet with him –

They had guns – Below where he killed this 4 they set the house on fire – I heard them say there were people in the house – I turned back from there – I shot at the man because he attempted to shoot me first – The colored man went of his own free will with us.  I was living with my son-in-law when the outbreak commenced.  We started away together but he left me and went on with the

[Frame 112 – note frame out of sequence]

young men –  Ta o pe  brought us word that they the Indians were all going below to fight New Ulm.– that they were going had killed all at the agency – that they were going to kill all the whites — The Negro was cutting hay at the time – I heard the black man [hallooing?] hollering that the Indians were coming – I then saw him take his gun and go towards the Indians.  The Negro went because he was willing to go

[Frame 109]

The case being closed the Commission was then cleared and proceeded with their finding.

The Military Commission after due deliberation in the foregoing finds the prisoner the said Wah-pa-doo-ta, a Sioux Indian, as follows:

Guilty on the specification.

Guilty on the charge

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

[Signatures of Mil. Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

6. Wa-pa-doo-ta (Red Leaf) is an old man; he says he was mowing when he heard of the outbreak; he saw some men after they were killed about the agency, but did not kill anyone there; he started down to the Fort, and went on to the New Ulm settlement; there he shot at a man through a window but does not think he killed him; he was himself wounded at New Ulm.[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.

Muzzabomadu’s is the fifth of forty trials in this series.

Transcript: Trial 10 Muz-za-bom-a-du

Page Images: #10 Muz-za-bom-a-du

*****

Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 10. MUZ-ZA-BOM-A-DU.—Convicted of the murder of an old man and two children.[1]

*****

Trial Record October 6, 1862

[Trial #10 – Muz-Za-Bom-A-Du]

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 6th 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 Commission was then duly sworn and Mu-Za-Bom-A-du, a Sioux Indian, was arraigned on the follow charges and specifications:

Charge – Murder

Specification 1^st.  In this that the said Mu-Za-Bom-A-Du, a Sioux Indian, did on or about the 20^th day of August 1862 kill an elderly woman and child in a garden near New Ulm, Minnesota.

 Specification 2^nd – In this that the said Mu-Za-Bom-A-Du, a Sioux Indian, did at various times and places on the Minnesota Frontier between the 18^th day of August 1862 and the 28^th day of September join with and participate in the murders and robberies committed by his tribe on the white citizens of the United States.

                                                                                    By order of Col. H. H. Sibley

[etc]

Witness

Godfrey (Negro)

[Frame 100]

The foregoing charge being read to the prisoner and he asked what he had to say thereto answered

I am not guilty. —  Ever since I remember I have been a friend of the whites.

An old Indian had a medal which he gave me with good advice which I have always followed.

Since the treaty of 1851 I have always been with my family near Winona. I was coming up to get my annuities at the time of the outbreak.

I wanted to go to Winona again, but I was afraid the Indians would take me and kill me. I call God to witness that I have not killed or shot at a white man.

My father and all the family were all killed by the Chippeways, but I have heard my father say that he never killed or abused a white man.  I am short sighted and never even hunted ducks.  I was compelled to go to several battle fields.  I was near New Ulm cutting Kinnekinic when I heard of the outbreak.

I went to the lower agency after the outbreak but got nothing for my share.  I was going along with a load of Kinnekinic I saw the Indians with Mary Swan and Miss Williams and I saved their lives. I have a niece, a member of the church at the Lower Agency.  I took Miss Swan to here and she has kept her.

Where Patwell was killed I was not with the party, but heard the firing, threw the kinnekinic from my back and ran up.  I stopped them from killing the women.  I left the women at Wacoutas house – the next morning I got her.  I know where the Traveller’s Home is

[Frame 101]

Godfrey, being duly sworn, says – I know the prisoner.  This Indian killed an old woman and two children.  They were going into a garden when he fired on them.  It was near the Traveller’s Home near New Ulm.  I saw the Indians fire on the old woman and saw her fall.  He then jumped into the garden and kicked the children down.  I didn’t see him kill the children.  I was in the wagon at the time.  This took place on the first day they commenced killing the whites.  I saw him again, but he didn’t say he had killed any whites. If a man enters the house of enemies the Indians give him the name of killing many if men are killed there.

The prisoner further stated that what Godfrey said is not true.  I met Godfrey at the Traveller’s Home. I heard Godfrey had not killed any. I met Godfrey and his party near the Traveller’s Home. I didn’t stop with them but went up near where they killed Patwell. I saw no whiskey.  I had a bad gun when we met soldiers on the bridge and it didn’t go off.

I was in the front wagon.  I crossed the bridge when the soldiers were shot on foot.  I was not there when the soldier was killed.

The court find the prisoner guilty and sentence him to be hung by the neck until he is dead.

[102]

And therefore the case being closed and proceeded with their findings and sentence.

The Military Commission after due deliberation find the prisoner the said Muz-za-bom-a-du, a Sioux Indian, as follows:

Guilty of the specification.

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

[Signatures of  Mil.Com.][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

5. Ma za bom doo, [Iron Blower] says he was down on the Big Cottonwood when the outbreak took place; that he came that day into New Ulm and purchased various articles, and then started home. He met an Indian coming down. Saw some men in wagons shot, but does not know who killed them. He was present at the killing of Patwell and others, but denies having done it himself. He thinks he did well by Mattie Williams and Mary Swan, in keeping them from being killed. They now live and he has to die, which he thinks not quite fair.[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.

Hinhanshoonkoyagmane’s is the fourth of forty trials in this series.

Transcript: Trial 6 Hin-han-shoon-ko-yag-ma-ne

Page Images: #6 Hin-han-shoon-ko-yag

*****

Whiting-Ruggles Summary December 5, 1862

No. 6. HIN-HAN-SHOON-KO-YAG-MA-NE.—Convicted of the murder of Alexander Hunter, and of having taken and had Mrs. Hunter a prisoner until she was rescued from him by another Indian.[1]

*****

Trial Record October 5, 1862

[Trial #6 – Hin-Han-Shoon-Ko-Yag]

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  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

A.A.A. Genl.

(Signed) H. H. Sibley

Colonel Commanding

CampRelease opposite the

Mouth of Chippewa River, Minn.

October 5, 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 Hin-Han-Shoon-Ko-Yag-ma-ne _________ [underlined blank in holograph] a Sioux Indian was arraigned in the following charges and specifications viz

Charge and Specification against Hin-Han-Shoon-Ko-Yag-ma-ne  (nephew of Passing Hail ?), a Sioux Indian

Charge –

Murder

Specification – In this that the said Hin-Han-Shoon-Ko-Yag-ma-ne, did kill Alexander Hunter, a white citizen of the United States on or about the 19^th day of August 1862 and did participate in the murders and massacres committed at various times and places on the Minnesota Frontier between the 19^th day of August 1862 and the 28^th day of Sept. 1862.

By order of Col. H.H. Sibley

Com’d’g. Mil. Expedition

S. H. Fowler

A.A.A. G’l.

Witnesses

Wak-kin-ah-wash-tay

Mrs. Hunter

[Frame 77]

The prisoner being asked whether he is guilty or not guilty of the charge and specifications, answers–

The charge is not true.

I was in the battle at FortRidgely – Didn’t kill anybody.

I was in the battle of Birch Coolie – A great many shots were fired, and I don’t know that I shot any.  I was in the last battle at WoodLake.  The Indians said if I didn’t go, they would kill me-

I don’t remember of killing a white man.  That is all I have to say.

I did not kill Mr. Hunter nor was I one of two who delivered Mrs. Hunter to Wake-wash-tay.

Mrs. Marion Hunter, being duly sworn, says –

I know this Indian (prisoner). I have seen him before. I saw him about 2 miles below the agency where my husband was killed.  My husband and myself were the only ones in our party.

The Indian was alone – We were fleeing from the Indians towards

[Frame 78]

the Fort walking.  The Indian met us and shot my husband in the breast.  He was within 3 feet of us.  He took out his knife to cut my husband’s throat, but I begged him to desist and he desisted –

He took me prisoner and carried me towards Little Crow’s village when this man (Wake Washtay) took me from him and carried me to my mother.  I am sure the prisoner is the man–

Wakea Washtay, being sworn, says-

I know the prisoner. I met the prisoner with Mrs. Hunter and at the (??) time she said she lost her husband, going towards Little Crow’s Village.

And thereupon, 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 Hin-Han-Shoon-Ko-Yag-ma-ne (nephew of Passing Hail) a Sioux Indian, as follows –

Guilty of the specification.

[Frame 79]

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

[Signed by Mil. Com. Members][2]

*****

Riggs Synopsis December 1862

4. Hin han shoon ko yay ma ne (one Who Walks Clothed in an Owl’s Tail) says he is charged with killing white people and is condemned. He does not know certainly that he killed any one. –He was in all the battles. That is all he has to say.[3]

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