Bond

Family
escapes massacre
August 17 to 23, 1862
New Ulm, Fort Ridgley
!ourtland, "innesota
#ndian "assacres
Also includes $t% &eter, Acton, "endota, 'lencoe,
(utc)ison, *e$euer, $wan *a+e, Fort Ripley,
$out) Bend and ot)er communities and surrounding
areas wit)in 2,, miles%
-.)is escape allowed t)e /uture e0istence o/ 1illiam Bond descendants2

William Bond family escapes massacre
August 17 to 23, 1862 New Ulm !ortland, "innesota
#arriet $#attie% Bond&s family tale passed down and told 'y William #enry Bond (ad it t(at
$a friendly Indian came through warning that Indians were on a rampage.% )t is told t(at s(e loo*ed
across t(e "innesota +i,er from w(ere t(e family ca'in was near New Ulm, "innesota on t(e nort(
side of t(e ri,er, and could see family (omesteads 'urning down in t(e -ower .iou/ Agency ,icinity0
.(e stated t(at, $this warning gave us enough time to load our wagon with our belongings and escape
in time, to the fort0% )n doing researc(, t(e fort mentioned was 1ort +idgley 2ust a 'it nort( and west
of New Ulm and not far from w(ere t(e family (omestead was located on t(e nort( side of t(e
"innesota +i,er0 1rom a 'oo*, $3(e #istory of "innesota and 3ales of t(e 1rontier$, written 'y t(e
local former )ndian Agent !(arles 4ugene 1landrau, and witness, (e writes w(at (appened t(ose days0
"ind you, t(e .iou/ )ndians (ad 'een causing a few pro'lems prior to t(is 'ut it escalated rapidly as
t(ey were aware t(at many of t(e "innesota soldiers (ad 'een dispatc(ed, 'y t(e 5o,ernor of
"innesota, to defend after t(e attac* on 1ort .umter0 3(e )ndians t(oug(t t(ey could ta*e ad,antage
of t(e situation and 'egan a terror campaign0 As it is written in t(e 'oo* 'eginning on page 138, t(is
descri'es w(at was going on August 17
t(
6 23
rd
, 1862, t(at #arriet $#attie% Bond and family witnessed,
and were a'le to escape from0 4/planation of te/t color, ctrl and left clic*0
1ort +idgley and New Ulm, "innesota map
7udge !(arles 4ugene 1landrau
#ere in (is own words, t(e aut(or of t(e 'oo*, and
witness to t(e e,ents, descri'es in detail t(e days surrounding
t(e .iou/ )ndian massacres of 1862,
$-ittle !row was t(e principal instigator of war on t(e
w(ites0 #e was a man of greater parts t(an any )ndian in t(e
tri'e0 ) (ad used (im on many trying occasions, as t(e captain
of my 'odyguard, and my am'assador to negotiate wit( ot(er
tri'es, and always found (im e8ual to any emergency9 'ut on
t(is occasion (is am'ition ran away wit( (is 2udgment, and
led (im to fatal results0 Wit( all t(ese influences at wor*, it
too* 'ut spar* to fire t(e maga:ine, and t(at spar* was struc*
on t(e se,enteent( day of August, 18620
A small party of )ndians
were at Acton, on August
17
t(
, and got into a petty contro,ersy a'out some eggs wit( a settler,
w(ic( created a difference of opinion among t(em as to w(at t(ey s(ould
do, some ad,ocating one course and some anot(er0 3(e contro,ersy led to
one )ndian saying t(at t(e ot(er was afraid of t(e w(ite6man, to resent
w(ic(, and to pro,e (is 'ra,ery, (e *illed t(e settler, and t(e w(ole family
was massacred0 W(en t(ese )ndians reac(ed t(e agency, and related t(eir
'loody wor*, t(ose w(o wanted trou'le sei:ed upon t(e opportunity, and
insisted t(at t(e only way out of t(e difficulty was to *ill all t(e w(ites,
and on t(e morning of t(e 18
t(
of August t(e 'loody wor* 'egan0 )t is
proper to say (ere t(at some of t(e )ndians w(o were connected wit( t(e
missionaries, conspicuously An6pay6tu6to*6a6c(a, or 7o(n ;t(erday, and
<aul "a6:a6*u6ta6ma6ni, t(e president of t(e #a:elwood +epu'lic, of
w(ic( ) (a,e spo*en, (a,ing learned of t(e intention of t(e )ndians,
informed t(e missionaries on t(e nig(t of t(e 17
t(
, w(o, to t(e num'er of
a'out si/ty, fled eastward to #utc(ison, in "cleod county, and escaped0
$-ittle !row% 3(e ne/t morning, 'eing t(e 18
t(
of August, t(e )ndians commenced t(e
massacre of t(e w(ites, and made clean wor* of all at t(e agencies0 3(ey
t(en separated into small s8uads of from fi,e to ten and spread o,er t(e country to t(e sout(, east and
sout(east, attac*ing t(e settlers in detail at t(eir (omes and continued t(is wor* during all of t(e 18
t(
and
part of t(e 1=
t(
of August, until t(ey (ad murdered in cold 'lood 8uite one t(ousand people>men, women
and c(ildren0 3(e way t(e wor* was conducted, was as follows? 3(e party of )ndians would call at t(e (ouse,
and, 'eing well *nown, would cause no alarm0 3(ey would await a good opportunity, and s(oot t(e man of
t(e family9 t(en 'utc(er t(e women and c(ildren, and, after carrying off e,eryt(ing t(at t(ey t(oug(t
,alua'le to t(em, t(ey would 'urn t(e (ouse and proceed to t(e ne/t (omestead and repeat t(e performance0
;ccasionally, someone would escape, and spread t(e news of t(e massacre to t(e neig('ors, and all w(o
could would escape to some place of refuge0
3(e news of t(e out'rea* reac(ed 1ort +idgley @w(ic( was situated a'out t(irteen miles down t(e
"innesota +i,erA from t(e agencies a'out eig(t o&cloc* on t(e morning of t(e 18
t(
, 'y means of t(e arri,al
of a team from t(e -ower Agency, 'ringing a 'adly wounded man9 'ut no details could 'e o'tained0 3(e
fort was in command of !apt0 7o(n "ars(, of !ompany $B%, 1ift( "innesota Bolunteer )nfantry0 #e (ad
eig(ty6fi,e men in (is company, from w(ic( (e selected forty6fi,e, lea,ing t(e 'alance, under -ieut0 30 10
5ere, to defend t(e fort0 3(is little s8uad, under command of !aptain "ars(, wit( full supply of
ammunition, pro,isions, 'lan*ets, etc0, accompanied 'y a si/6mule team, left t(e fort at =?CC a0m0, on t(e
18
t(
of August, for t(e -ower .iou/ Agency, w(ic( was on t(e west side of t(e "innesota +i,er, t(e fort
'eing on t(e east, w(ic( necessitated t(e crossing of t(e ri,er 'y a ferry near t(e agency0 ;n t(e marc(
up t(e command passed nine or ten dead 'odies, all 'earing e,idence of (a,ing 'een murdered 'y t(e
)ndians, one of w(ic( was Dr0 #ump(rey, surgeon at t(e agency0 ;n reac(ing t(e ,icinity of t(e ferry no
)ndians were in sig(t, e/cept one on t(e opposite side of t(e ri,er, w(o tried to induce t(em to cross o,er0
A dense c(aparral 'ordered t(e ri,er on t(e agency side, and tall grass co,ered t(e 'ottom on t(e
side w(ere t(e troops were0 .uspicion of t(e presence of )ndians was aroused 'y t(e distur'ed condition of
t(e water of t(e ri,er, w(ic( was muddy and contained floating grass0 3(en a group of ponies was seen0
At t(is point, and wit(out any notice w(ate,er, )ndians in great num'ers sprang up on all sides of t(e
troops, and opened upon t(em a deadly fire0 A'out (alf of t(e men were *illed instantly0 1inding
t(emsel,es surrounded, it 'ecame wit( t(e sur,i,ors a 8uestion of sauve qui peut0 .e,eral desperate
(and6to6(and encounters occurred, wit( ,arying results, w(en t(e remnant of t(e command made a
point down t(e ri,er, a'out two miles from t(e ferry, !aptain "ars( 'eing of t(e num'er0 #ere t(ey
attempted to cross, 'ut t(e captain was drowned in t(e effort0 ;nly from t(irteen to fifteen of t(e
command reac(ed t(e fort ali,e0 Among t(ose *illed was <eter Euinn, t(e United .tates interpreter, an
)ris(man, w(o (ad 'een in t(e )ndian territory for many years0 #e (ad married into t(e !(ippewa tri'e0
#e was a man muc( esteemed 'y t(e army and all old settlers0
"uc( criticism (as 'een indulged in as to w(et(er !aptain "ars(, w(en (e 'ecame con,inced of
t(e general out'rea*, s(ould not (a,e retreated to t(e fort0 ;f course, forty6fi,e men could do not(ing
against fi,e or si/ (undred warriors, w(o were *nown to 'e at or a'out t(e agency0 3(e Du*e of Wellington,
w(en as*ed as to w(at was t(e 'est test of general, said, $to *now w(en to retreat, and to dare to do it0%
!aptain "ars( cannot 'e 2ustly 2udged 'y any suc( criterion0 #e was not an e/perienced general0 #e
was a young, 'ra,e, and ent(usiastic soldier0 #e *new little of )ndians0 3(e country *nows t(at (e
t(oug(t (e was doing (is duty ad,ancing0 ) am confident, w(et(er t(is 2udgment is intelligent or not,
posterity will (old in warmer esteem t(e memory of !aptain "ars( and (is gallant little 'and t(an if
(e (ad adopted t(e more prudent course of retracing (is steps0 5en0 5eorge !uster was led into an
am'us( of almost t(e e/act c(aracter, w(ic( was prepared for (im 'y many of t(e same )ndians w(o
attac*ed "ars(, and (e lost fi,e companies of t(e .e,ent( United .tates !a,alry, one of t(e 'est fig(ting
regiments in t(e ser,ice, not a man escaping0
)mmediately pre,ious to t(e out'rea*, -ieut0 3imot(y 70 .(ee(an, of !ompany $!%, 1ift(
"innesota, (ad 'een sent, wit( a'out fifty men of (is company, to t(e Fellow "edicine Agency, on
account of some disorder pre,ailing among t(e )ndians9 'ut (a,ing performed (is duty, (e (ad 'een
ordered to 1ort +ipley, and (ad on t(e 17
t(
left 1ort +idgley, and on t(e 18
t(
(ad reac(ed a point near
5lencoe, distant from 1ort +idgley a'out forty miles0 As soon as !aptain "ars( 'ecame aware of t(e
out'rea*, (e sent t(e following dispatc( to -ieutenant .(ee(an, w(ic( reac(ed (im on t(e e,ening of t(e
18
t(
,
$-ieutenant .(ee(an?
)t is a'solutely necessary t(at you s(ould return wit( your command immediately to t(is post0
3(e )ndians are raising (ell at t(e -ower Agency0 +eturn as soon as possi'le0%
-ieutenant .(ee(an was t(en a young )ris(man, of a'out t(e age of twenty6fi,e years, wit(
immense p(ysical ,igor, and corresponding ent(usiasm0 #e immediately 'ro*e camp and returned to
t(e fort, arri,ing t(ere on t(e 1=
t(
of August, (a,ing made a forced marc( of forty6two miles in nine and
one6(alf (ours0 #e did not arri,e a moment too soon0 Being t(e ran*ing officer after t(e deat( of !aptain
"ars(, (e too* command of t(e post0 3(e garrison t(en consisted of t(e remnant of "ars(&s !ompany
$B%, fifty6one men, .(ee(an&s !ompany $!%, fifty men, and t(e +en,ille +angers, fifty men0 3(is latter
company was t(e one raised 'y "a2or 5al'rait(, t(e .iou/ agent at t(e agencies, and was composed
principally of (alf6'reeds0 )t was commanded 'y !apt0 7ames 5orman0 ;n reac(ing .t0 <eter, on it&s way
down to .nelling to 'e mustered into t(e ser,ice of t(e United .tates, it learned of t(e out'rea*, and at
once returned to +idgley, .ergeant 7ones of t(e regular artillery, w(o (ad 'een left t(ere in c(arge of t(e
military stores0 #e was 8uite an e/pert gunner, and t(ere were se,eral field6pieces at t(e fort0 Besides t(is
garrison, a large num'er of people from t(e surrounding country (ad soug(t safety at t(e fort,% (includes
Hattie Bond and family), $and t(ere was also a party of gentlemen, w(o (ad 'roug(t up t(e annuity money
to pay t(e )ndians, w(o, learning of t(e trou'les, (ad stopped wit( t(e money, amounting to some G7C,CCC
in specie0 ) will (ere lea,e t(e fort for t(e present, and turn to ot(er points t(at 'ecame prominent in t(e
approac(ing war0
;n t(e nig(t of t(e 18
t(
of August, t(e day of t(e out'rea*, t(e news reac(ed .t0 <eter, and, as )
(a,e 'efore stated, induced t(e +en,ille +angers to retrace t(eir steps0 5reat e/citement pre,ailed, as no
one could tell at w(at moment t(e )ndians mig(t das( into t(e town, and massacre t(e in(a'itants0
3(e people at New Ulm, w(ic( was situated a'out si/teen miles 'elow 1ort +idgley, on t(e
"innesota +i,er, dispatc(ed a courier to .t0 <eter as soon as t(ey 'ecame aware of t(e trou'le0 #e
arri,ed at H o&cloc* a0m0, on t(e 1=
t(
, and came immediately to my (ouse, w(ic( was a'out a one mile
'elow t(e town, and informed me t(at t(e )ndians were *illing people all o,er t(e country0 #a,ing li,ed
among t(e )ndians for se,eral years, and at one time (ad c(arge of t(em as t(eir agent, ) t(oroug(ly
understood t(e danger of t(e situation, and *nowing t(at, w(et(er t(e story was true or false, t(e frontier
was no place at suc( a time for women and c(ildren, ) told (im to wa*e up t(e people at .t0 <eter, and t(at
) would 'e t(ere 8uic*ly0 ) immediately placed my family in a wagon, and told t(em to flee down t(e ri,er,
and ta*ing all t(e guns, powder and lead ) could find in my (ouse, ) arri,ed at .t0 <eter a'out 6 a0m0 3(e
men of t(e town were soon assem'led at t(e court6(ouse, and in a ,ery s(ort time a company was formed
of 116 men, of w(ic( ) was c(osen as !aptain, William B0 Dodd as first, and Wolf #0 "eyer as second
lieutenant0 Before noon two men, #enry A0 .wift, afterwards go,ernor of t(e state, and William !0 #ayden,
were dispatc(ed to t(e front in a 'uggy to scout, and locate t(e enemy if (e was near, and a'out noon
si/teen mounted men under -0 "0 Boardman, s(eriff of t(e county, were started on a similar errand0 Bot(
t(ese s8uads *ept mo,ing until t(ey reac(ed New Ulm, at a'out I p0m0
5reat acti,ity was displayed in e8uipping t(e main 'ody of t(e company for ser,ice0 All t(e guns
of t(e place were sei:ed, and put into t(e (ands of t(e men0 3(ere not 'eing any large game in t(is part
of t(e country, rifles were scarce, 'ut s(ot6guns were a'undant0 All t(e 'lac*smit( s(ops and gun s(ops
were set at wor* moulding 'ullets, and we soon (ad a gun in e,ery man&s (and, and (e was supplied wit( a
powder (orn or a w(is*ey flas* full of powder, a 'o/ of caps and a poc*et6full of 'ullets0 We impressed all
t(e wagons we needed for transportation, and all t(e 'lan*ets and pro,isions t(at were necessary for
su'sistence and comfort0 W(ile t(ese preparations were going on a large s8uad from -e .ueur, ten miles
furt(er down t(e ri,er, under t(e command of !aptain 3ousley, s(eriff of -e .ueur county, 2oined us0 4arly
in t(e day a s8uad from .wan -a*e, under an old settler named .amuel !offin, (ad gone to New Ulm to
see w(at was t(e matter0
;ur ad,ance guard reac(ed New Ulm 2ust in time to participate in it&s defense against an attac* of
a'out one (undred )ndians w(o (ad 'een murdering t(e settlers on t(e west side of t(e ri,er, 'etween
t(e town and 1ort +idgley0 3(e in(a'itants of New Ulm were almost e/clusi,ely 5erman, t(ere 'eing only
a few 4nglis(6spea*ing citi:ens among t(em, and t(ey were not familiar wit( t(e c(aracter of t(e )ndians,
'ut t(e instinct of self6preser,ation (ad impelled t(em to fortify t(e town wit( 'arricades to *eep t(e
enemy out0 3(e town was 'uilt in t(e usually way of western towns, t(e principal settlement 'eing along
t(e main street, and t(e largest and 'est (ouses occupying a space of a'out t(ree 'loc*s0 .ome of t(ese
(ouses were of 'ric* and stone, so wit( a strong 'arricade around t(em, t(e town was 8uite defensi'le0
.e,eral of t(e people were *illed in t(is first attac*, 'ut t(e )ndians, *nowing of t(e coming reinforcements,
wit(drew, after firing fi,e of si/ 'uildings0
3(e main 'ody of my company, toget(er wit( t(e s8uad from -e .ueur, reac(ed t(e ferry a'out
two miles 'elow t(e settled part of New Ulm, a'out 8 p0m0, (a,ing made t(irty6two miles in se,en (ours,
in a drenc(ing rainstorm0 3(e 'la:ing (ouses in t(e distance ga,e a ,ery t(reatening aspect to t(e situation,
'ut we crossed t(e ferry successfully, and made t(e town wit(6out accident0 3(e ne/t day we were
reinforced 'y a full company from "an*ato under !apt0 William Bier'auer0 .e,eral companies were
formed from t(e citi:ens of t(e town0 A full company from .out( Bend arri,ed on t(e 2C
t(
or 21
st
, and
,arious ot(er s8uads, greater or less in num'ers, came in during t(e wee*, 'efore .aturday, t(e 23
rd
,
swelling our forces to a'out t(ree (undred men, 'ut nearly all ,ery poorly armed0 We impro,ed t(e
'arricades and sent out daily scouting parties w(o succeeded in 'ringing in many people w(o were in
(iding in swamps, and w(o would (a,e undou'tedly 'een loss wit(out t(is succor0 )t soon 'ecame apparent
t(at , to maintain any discipline or order in t(e town, some one man must 'e placed in command of t(e
entire force0 3(e officers of t(e ,arious companies assem'led to c(oose a commander6in6c(ief, and t(e
selection fell to me0 A pro,ost guard was at once esta'lis(ed, order inaugurated, and we awaited e,ents0
) (a,e 'een t(us particular in my description of t(e mo,ements at t(is point 'ecause it gi,es an
idea of t(e defenseless condition in w(ic( t(e out'rea* found t(e people of t(e country, and also 'ecause
it s(ows t(e intense energy wit( w(ic( t(e settlers met t(e emergency, at its ,ery inception, from w(ic( )
will deduce t(e conclusion at t(e proper time t(at t(is prompt initial action sa,ed t(e state from a
calamity, t(e magnitude of w(ic( is unrecorded in t(e (istory of )ndian Wars0
#a,ing descri'ed t(e defensi,e condition of 1ort +idgley and New Ulm, t(e two e/treme frontier
posts, t(e former 'eing on t(e )ndian reser,ation and t(e latter only a few miles sout(east of it, ) will ta*e
up t(e su'2ect at t(e capital of t(e state0 3(e news reac(ed 5o,ernor +amsey, at .t0 <aul, on t(e 1=
t(
of
August, t(e second day of t(e out'rea*0 #e at once (astened to "endota, at t(e mout( of t(e "innesota
+i,er, and re8uested e/65o,ernor .i'ley to accept t(e command of suc( forces as could 'e put in t(e field,
to c(ec* t(e ad,ance of and punis( t(e )ndians0 5o,ernor .i'ley (ad a large e/perience wit( t(e .iou/,
per(aps more t(an any man in t(e state, (a,ing traded and li,ed wit( t(em
since 183H, and 'esides t(at, was a distinguis(ed citi:en of t(e state, (a,ing
'een its first go,ernor0 #e accepted t(e position, wit( t(e ran* of !olonel in
t(e state militia0 3(e .i/t( +egiment was 'eing recruited at 1ort .nelling for
t(e !i,il War, and, on t(e 2C
t(
of August, !olonel .i'ley started up t(e ,alley
of t(e "innesota wit( four companies of t(at regiment, and arri,ed at .t0
<eter on 1riday, t(e 22
nd
0 !apt0 A0 D0 Nelson of t(e regular army (ad 'een
appointed !olonel of t(e .i/t(, and William !roo*s (ad 'een appointed
-ieutenant !olonel of t(e .e,ent(0 !olonel !roo*s con,eyed t(e orders of
t(e go,ernor to !olonel Nelson, o,erta*ing (im at Bloomington 1erry0 ;n
receipt of (is orders, finding (e was to report to !olonel .i'ley, (e made t(e
point of military eti8uette, t(at an officer of t(e regular army could not
report to an officer of militia of t(e same ran*, and turning o,er (is
command to !olonel !roo*s, (e returned to .t0 <aul and (anded in (is !ol0 #enry #0 .i'ley
resignation0 )t was accepted, and !olonel !roo*s was appointed !olonel of t(e .i/t(0000%0
$;n .unday, t(e 2H
t(
, !olonel .i'ley&s force at .t0 <eter, was augmented 'y t(e arri,al of a'out two
(undred mounted men, under t(e command of William 70 !ullen, formerly superintendent of )ndian
Affairs, called t(e !ullen 5uard0 ;n t(e same day si/ more companies of t(e .i/t( arri,ed, ma*ing up
t(e full regiment, and also a'out one (undred more mounted men, and se,eral s8uads of ,olunteer militia0
3(e mounted men were placed under t(e command of !ol0 .amuel "c<(ail0 By t(ese ac8uisitions !olonel
.i'ley&s command num'ered a'out 1,HCC men0 Alt(oug( t(e numerical strengt( was considera'le, t(e
command was practically useless0 3(e ammunition did not fit t(e
guns of t(e .i/t( +egiment, and (ad to 'e all made o,er0 3(e
(orses of t(e mounted men, were raw and undisciplined, and t(e
men t(emsel,es were ine/perienced and practically unarmed0 )t
was t(e 'est t(e country afforded, 'ut was pro'a'ly a'out as
poorly e8uipped an army as e,er entered t(e field and to face
w(at ) regard as t(e 'est warriors to 'e found on t(e Nort(
American continent9 'ut fortunately t(e officers and men were
all t(at could 'e desired0 3(e leaders of t(is army were t(e 'est of
men, and 'eing seconded 'y intelligent and ent(usiastic
su'ordinates, t(ey soon o,ercame t(eir p(ysical difficulties9
'ut t(ey *new not(ing of t(e strengt(, position or pre,ious
mo,ement of t(e enemy, no news (a,ing reac(ed t(em from
eit(er 1ort +idgley or New Ulm0 Any mista*e made 'y t(is force,
resulting in defeat, would (a,e 'een fatal0 No suc( mista*e was made0000 3(e )ndians felt t(at it would 'e
necessary to carry 1ort +idgley and New Ulm, 'efore t(ey e/tended t(eir depredations furt(er down t(e
,alley of t(e "innesota, and concentrated t(eir forces for an attac* on t(e fort0 1ort +idgley was in no
sense a fort0 )t was simply a collection of 'uildings, principally frame structures, facing in towards t(e
parade ground0 ;n one side was a long stone 'arrac* and a stone commissary 'uilding, w(ic( was t(e only
defensi'le part of it0
;n t(e 2C
t(
of August, at a'out 3 p0m0, an attac* was made upon t(e fort 'y a large 'ody of )ndians0
3(e first intimation t(e garrison (ad of t(e assault was a ,olley poured t(roug( one of t(e openings
'etween t(e 'uildings0 !onsidera'le confusion ensued, 'ut order was soon restored0%
3o note at t(is point, t(e Bond family was eit(er inside t(e fort at t(is time or, (ad left
for .t0 <eter wit( t(is aut(or and ot(ers, and to understand on a personal le,el t(e facts0
#arriet&s family consisted of t(e following0 #arriet&s mot(er "ary (ad died in 18I7, so was a
family wit( only t(e fat(er0 Wit(out doing more researc( for e/act location of all in,ol,ed,
would (a,e to 'elie,e t(at #arriet&s fat(er William Bond, my great great grandfat(er, was
t(ere wit( (is family0 3(en in order, at t(is time, t(e c(ildren, <reston +andolp( Bond
would 'e 18 years old, 1ran*lin "a/im Bond would 'e 16 years old, my great grandfat(er
!laston Bond would 'e 13 years old, #arriet #attie Bond would 'e 11 years old, )ra 4lwin
Bond would 'e = years old and lastly, ;li,er Bond would 'e 7 years old0 .o, you (a,e mostly
young c(ildren wit( no mot(er, 'ut a wit( a single fat(er and a couple of older 'oys0 )t is
possi'le t(at <reston and e,en 1ran*lin were old enoug( to assist in defending, at t(e fort0
Now 'ac* to t(e witness accounts of w(at more (appened to t(e fol*s of New Ulm and 1ort
+idgley0
$.ergeant 7ones attempted to use (is cannon, 'ut to (is utter dismay, (e found t(em disa'led0
3(is was t(e wor* of some of t(e (alf6'reeds 'elonging to t(e +en,ille +angers, w(o (ad deserted to t(e
enemy0 3(ey (ad 'een spi*ed 'y ramming old rags into t(em0 3(e .ergeant soon rectified t(is difficulty,
and 'roug(t (is pieces into action0 3(e attac* lasted t(ree (ours, w(en it ceased, wit( a loss to t(e garrison
of t(ree *illed and eig(t wounded0
;n 3(ursday, t(e 21
st
, two furt(er attac*s were made on t(e fort, one in t(e morning and one in t(e
afternoon, 'ut wit( reduced force, less earnestness, and little damage0 ;n 1riday, t(e 22
nd
, t(e sa,ages
seemed determined to carry t(e fort0 A'out eig(t (undred or more, under t(e leaders(ip of -ittle !row,
came down from t(e agency0 !oncentrating t(emsel,es in t(e ra,ines w(ic( lay on se,eral sides of t(e fort,
t(ey made a feint, 'y sending a'out twenty warriors o,er on t(e prairie for t(e purpose of drawing out t(e
garrison from t(e fort, and cutting t(em off0 .uc( a mo,ement, if successful, would (a,e 'een fatal to t(e
defenders9 'ut fortunately t(ere were men among t(em of muc( e/perience in )ndian warfare, w(o saw
t(roug( t(e sc(eme, and pre,ented t(e success of t(e maneu,er0 3(en following t(e s(ower of 'ullets on
t(e fort from all directions0 3(e attac* was continued for nearly fi,e (ours0 )t was 'itterly foug(t, and
courageously and intelligently resisted0 .ergeant 7ones and ot(er artillerists (andled t(e guns wit( effecti,e
s*ill, e/ploding s(ells in t(e outlying 'uildings, and 'urning t(em o,er t(e (eads of t(e )ndians, w(ile t(e
enemy endea,ored to 'urn t(e wooden 'uildings composing t(e fort, 'y s(ooting fire arrows on t(e roofs0
;ne of t(e most e/posed and dangerous duties to 'e performed was co,ering t(e wooden roofs wit( eart(
to pre,ent fire0 ;ne w(ite man was *illed and se,en wounded in t(is engagement0 -ieutenant .(ee(an, w(o
commanded t(e post t(roug( all t(ese trying occurrences, -ieutenant 5orman, of t(e +en,ille +angers,
-ieutenant W(ipple, and .ergeants 7ones and "c5rew, all did t(eir duty in a manner 'ecoming ,eterans,
and t(e men seconded t(eir efforts (andsomely0 3(e )ndians, after t(is effort, 'eing con,inced t(at t(ey
could not ta*e t(e fort, and anticipating t(e coming of reinforcements, wit(drew, and, concentrating all
t(eir a,aila'le forces, descended upon New Ulm t(e ne/t morning, August 23
rd
, for a final struggle0 )n
t(e official (istory @written for t(e stateA of t(is 'attle at 1ort +idgley, ) place t(e force of t(e )ndians as
HIC, 'ut (a,e learned since from relia'le sources t(at it was as a'o,e stated0
We left New Ulm, after t(e arri,al of t(e ,arious companies w(ic( ) (a,e named on t(e 21
st
of
August, strengt(ening its 'arricades and awaiting e,ents0 ) (ad placed a good glass on t(e top of one of
t(e stone 'uildings wit(in t(e 'arricades for t(e purpose of o'ser,ation, and always *ept a sentinel t(ere
to report any mo,ement (e s(ould disco,er in any direction t(roug(out t(e surrounding country0 We (ad
(eard distinctly t(e cannonading at t(e fort for t(e past two days, 'ut *new not(ing of t(e result of t(e
fig(t at t(at point0 ) was perfectly familiar, as were many of my command, wit( t(e country 'etween New
Ulm and t(e fort, on 'ot( sides of t(e ri,er, *nowing t(e (ouse of e,ery settler on t(e roads0
.aturday, t(e 23
rd
of August, opened 'rig(t and 'eautiful, and early in t(e morning we saw column
after column of smo*e rise in t(e direction of t(e fort, eac( smo*e 'eing nearer t(an t(e last0 We *new to a
certainty t(at t(e )ndians were approac(ing in force, 'urning e,ery 'uilding and grain or (ay stac* t(ey
passed0 3(e settlers (ad eit(er all 'een *illed, or (ad ta*en refuge at t(e fort or New Ulm, so we (ad no
an/iety a'out t(em0 A'out =?3C a0m0, t(e enemy appeared in great force, on 'ot( sides of t(e ri,er0 3(ose
on t(e east side, w(en t(ey reac(ed t(e neig('or(ood of t(e ferry, 'urned some stac*s as a signal of t(eir
arri,al, w(ic( was responded to 'y a similar fire in t(e edge of t(e tim'er, a'out two miles and a (alf
from t(e town on t(e west side0 Between t(is tim'er and t(e town, was a 'eautiful open prairie, wit(
considera'le descent towards t(e town0 )mmediately on seeing t(e smo*e from t(e ferry t(e enemy
ad,anced rapidly, some si/ (undred strong, many mounted and t(e rest on foot0 ) (ad determined to
meet t(em on t(e open prairie, and (ad formed my men 'y companies in a long line of 'attle, wit(
inter,als 'etween t(em, on t(e first le,el plateau on t(e west side of t(e town, t(us co,ering its w(ole
west front0 3(ere were not o,er twenty or t(irty rifles in t(e w(ole command, and a man wit( a s(otgun,
*nowing (is antagonist carries a rifle, (as ,ery little confidence in (is fig(ting a'ility0 Down came t(e
)ndians in t(e 'rig(t sunlig(t, galloping, running, yelling, and gesticulating in t(e most fiendis( manner0
)f we (ad (ad good rifles t(ey ne,er would (a,e got near enoug( to do muc( (arm, 'ut as it was we could
not c(ec* t(em 'efore t(eir fire 'egan to tell on our line0 3(ey deployed to t(e rig(t and left until t(ey
co,ered our entire front, and t(en c(arged0 "y men, appreciating t(e inferiority of t(eir armament, after
seeing se,eral of t(eir comrades fall, and (a,ing fired a few ineffectual ,olleys, fell 'ac* on t(e town,
passing some 'uildings wit(out ta*ing possession of t(em, w(ic( mista*e was instantly ta*en ad,antage
of 'y t(e )ndians, w(o at once occupied t(em, 'ut t(ey did not follow us into t(e town proper, no dou't
t(in*ing our retreat was a feint to draw t(em among t(e 'uildings, and t(us gain an ad,antage0 ) t(in* if
t(ey (ad 'oldly c(arged into t(e town and set it on fire, t(ey would (a,e won t(e fig(t9 'ut, instead, t(ey
surrounded it on all sides, t(e main street 'elow t(e 'arricades, from w(ic( direction a strong wind was
'lowing towards t(e center of t(e town0 1rom t(is point t(ey 'egan firing t(e (ouses on 'ot( sides of t(e
street0 We soon rallied t(e men, and *ept t(e enemy well in t(e outs*irts of t(e town, and t(e fig(ting
'ecame general on all sides0 7ust a'out t(is time, my first lieutenant, William B0 Dodd, galloped down t(e
main street, and as (e passed a cross street t(e )ndians put t(ree or four 'ullets t(roug( (im0 #e died
during t(e afternoon, after (a,ing 'een remo,ed se,eral times from (ouse to (ouse as t(e enemy crowded
in upon us0
;n t(e second plateau, t(ere was an old Don Eui/ote windmill, wit( an
immense tower and sail6arms a'out se,enty6fi,e feet long, w(ic( occupied a
commanding position, an (ad 'een ta*en possession of 'y a company of a'out
t(irty men, w(o called t(emsel,es t(e -e .ueur 3igers, most of w(om (ad
rifles0 3(ey 'arricaded t(emsel,es wit( sac*s of flour and w(eat, loop(oled
t(e 'uilding and *ept t(e sa,ages at a respectful distance from t(e west side of
t(e town0 A rifle 'all will 'ury itself in a sac* of flour or w(eat, 'ut will not
penetrate it0 During t(e 'attle t(e men dug out se,eral of t(em, and 'roug(t
t(em to me 'ecause t(ey were t(e regulation "inie 'ullet, and t(ere (ad 'een
rumors t(at t(e !onfederates from "issouri (ad stirred up t(e re,olt and
supplied t(e )ndians wit( guns and ammunition0 ) confess ) was astonis(ed a Don Eui/ote windmill
w(en ) saw t(e 'ullets, as ) *new t(e )ndians (ad no suc( arms, 'ut ) soon
decided t(at t(ey were using against us t(e guns and ammunition t(ey (ad ta*en from t(e dead soldiers of
!aptain "ars(&s company0 ) do not 'elie,e t(e !onfederates (ad any (and in t(e re,olt of t(ese )ndians0
We (eld se,eral ot(er outposts, 'eing 'ric* 'uildings outside t(e 'arricades, w(ic( we loop(oled,
and found ,ery effecti,e in (olding t(e )ndians aloof0 3(e 'attle raged generally all around t(e town,
e,ery man doing (is 'est in (is own way0 )t was a ,ery interesting fig(t on account of t(e sta*e we were
contending for0 We (ad in t(e place a'out twel,e or fifteen (undred women and c(ildren, t(e li,es of all of
w(om, and of oursel,es, depending upon ,ictory perc(ing on our 'anners9 for in a fig(t li*e t(is, no
8uarter is e,er as*ed or gi,en0 3(e desperation wit( w(ic( t(e conflict was conducted can 'e 2udged from
t(e fact t(at ) lost si/ty men in t(e first (our and a (alf, ten *illed and fifty wounded, out of less t(an 2IC,
as my force (ad 'een depleted 'y t(e num'er of a'out se,enty6fi,e 'y -ieutenant #uey ta*ing t(at
num'er to guard t(e approac( to t(e ferry0 !rossing to t(e ot(er side of t(e ri,er (e
was cut off, and forced to retreat toward .t0 <eter0 )t was simply a mista*e of
2udgment to put t(e ri,er 'etween (imself and t(e main force, 'ut in (is retreat (e
met !apt0 40 .t0 7ulian !o/, wit( reinforcements for New Ulm, 2oined t(em, and
returned t(e ne/t day0 #e was a 'ra,e and willing officer0 3(e company ) mentioned
as (a,ing arri,ed from .out( Bend, (a,ing (eard t(at t(e Winne'agoes (ad 2oined in
t(e out'rea*, left us 'efore t(e final attac* on .aturday, t(e 23
rd
of August, claiming
t(at t(eir presence at (ome was necessary to protect t(eir families, and on t(e
morning of t(e 23
rd
, w(en t(e enemy was in sig(t, a wagon load of ot(ers left us and
went down t(e ri,er0 ) dou't if we could (a,e mustered o,er two (undred guns at any
time during t(e fig(t0
4 .t0 7ulien !o/
3(e enemy, seeing (is ad,antage in firing t(e 'uildings in t(e lower part of t(e main street, and t(us
gradually nearing our 'arricades wit( t(e intention of 'urning us out, *ept up (is wor* as continuously as
(e could wit( t(e interruptions we made for (im 'y occasionally dri,ing (im out9 'ut (is approac( was
constant, and a'out 2 o&cloc* a roaring conflagration was raging on 'ot( sides of t(e street, and t(e prospect
loo*ed discouraging0 At t(is 2uncture Asa W(ite, an old frontiersman, connected wit( t(e Winna'agoes,
w(om ) (ad *nown for a long time, and w(ose 2udgment and e/perience ) appreciated and ,alued, came to
me and said? $7udge, if t(is goes on, t(e )ndians will 'ag us in a'out 2 (ours0% ) said? $)t loo*s t(at way9
w(at remedy (a,e you to suggest%0 #is answer was, $We must ma*e for t(e cottonwood tim'er0% 3wo miles
and a (alf lay 'etween us and t(e tim'er referred to, w(ic(, of course, rendered (is suggestion utterly
impractica'le wit( two t(ousand non6com'atants to mo,e, and ) said? $W(ite, t(ey would slaug(ter us li*e
s(eep s(ould we underta*e suc( a mo,ement0 ;ur strongest (old is in t(is town, and if you will get toget(er
fifty ,olunteers, ) will dri,e t(e )ndians out of t(e lower town and t(e greatest danger will 'e passed0% #e
saw at once t(e propriety of my proposition, and in a s(ort time we (ad a s8uad ready, and sallied out,
c(eering and yelling in a manner t(at would (a,e done credit to t(e wildest !omanc(es0 We *new t(e
)ndians were congregated in force down t(e street, and e/pected to find t(em in a sun*en road, a'out t(ree
'loc*s from w(ere we started, 'ut t(ey (ad wor*ed t(eir way up muc( neared to us, and were in a deep
swale a'out a 'loc* and a (alf form our 'arricades0 3(ere was a large num'er of t(em, estimated at a'out
se,enty6fi,e to one (undred, some on ponies and some on foot0 W(en t(e conformation of t(e ground
disclosed t(eir w(erea'outs, we were wit(in one (undred feet of t(em0 3(ey opened a rapid fire on us,
w(ic( we returned, w(ile *eeping up our rus(ing ad,ance0 W(en we were wit(in fifty feet of t(em, t(ey
turned and fled down t(e street0 We followed t(em for at least (alf a mile, firing as well as we could0 3(is
too* us 'eyond t(e 'urning (ouses, and finding a large collection of saw logs, ) called a (alt and we too*
co,er among t(em, lying flat on t(e ground0 3(e )ndians stopped w(en we ceased to c(ase t(em, and too*
co,er 'e(ind anyt(ing t(at afforded protection, and *ept up an incessant fire upon us w(ene,er a (ead or
(and s(owed itself a'o,e t(e logs0 We (eld t(em, (owe,er, in t(is position, and pre,ented t(eir return J
toward t(e town 'y way of t(e street0 ) at once sent a party 'ac* wit( instructions to 'urn e,ery 'uilding,
fence, stac* or ot(er o'2ect t(at would afford co,er 'etween us and t(e 'arricades0 3(is order was strictly
carried out, and 'y si/ or se,en o&cloc* t(ere was not a structure standing outside of t(e 'arricades in t(at
part of t(e town0 We t(en a'andoned our saw logs and returned to t(e town, and t(e day was won, t(e
)ndians not daring to c(arge us o,er an open country0 ) lost four men *illed in t(is e/ploit, one of w(om was
especially to 'e regretted0 ) spea* of Newell #oug(ton0 )n ordinary warfare, all men stand for t(e same ,alue
as a general t(ing9 'ut in an )ndian fig(t, a man of cool (ead, an e/ceptionally fine s(ot, and armed wit( a
relia'le rifle, is a loss dou'ly to 'e regretted0 #oug(ton was famous as 'eing t(e 'est s(ot and deer (unter
in all t(e Nort(west, and (ad wit( (im (is c(oice rifle0 #e (ad 'uilt a small steam'oat wit( t(e proceeds of
(is gun, and we all (eld (im in (ig( respect as a fine type frontiersman0 We (ad (ardly got 'ac* to t(e town
'efore a man 'roug(t me a rifle w(ic( (e (ad found on t(e ground near a clump of 'rus(, and (anding it to
me said, $.ome )ndian lost a good gun in t(at run0% )t (appened t(at W(ite was wit( me, and saw t(e gun0
#e recogni:ed it in an instant, and said? $Newell #oug(ton is dead0 #e ne,er let t(at gun out of (is (ands
w(ile (e could (old it0% We loo*ed w(ere t(e gun was pic*ed up, and found #oug(ton dead in t(e 'rus(0
#e (ad 'een scalped 'y some )ndian w(o (ad seen (im fall, and (ad snea*ed 'ac* and scalped (im0
3(at nig(t we dug a system of rifle pits all along t(e 'arricades on t(e outside, and manned t(em
wit( t(ree or four men eac(, 'ut t(e firing was desultory t(roug( t(e nig(t, and not(ing muc( was
accomplis(ed on eit(er side0
3(e ne/t morning @.undayA opened 'rig(t and 'eautiful, 'ut scarcely an )ndian was to 'e seen0
3(ey (ad gi,en up t(e contest, and were rapidly retreating nort(ward up t(e ri,er0 We got an occasional
s(ot at one, 'ut wit(out effect e/cept to (asten t(e retreat0 And so ended t(e second and decisi,e 'attle
of New Ulm0%
.unday t(e 2H
t(
, !aptain 40 .t0 7ulien !o/ wit( (is soldiers and -ieutenant #uey wit( a
portion of (is command arri,ed at t(e New Ulm to reinforce t(em0 3(ey were welcomed
,isitors0
3(ere were in t(e town at t(e time of t(e attac* on t(e 23
rd
, as near as can 'e learned,
from 12CC to 1ICC noncom'atants, consisting of women and c(ildren, refugees and unarmed
citi:ens0 ;n t(e 2I
t(
, due to scarce pro,isions and ammunition, and to a,oid pestilence,
t(ey decided to e,acuate t(e town of New Ulm and try to reac( "an*ato0 "an*ato was
c(osen to a,oid t(e crossing of t(e "innesota +i,er0 After a 3C mile 2ourney t(roug( (ostile
country wit( a possi'ility of 'eing massacred, t(ey arri,ed successfully in 1I3 wagons0 #ere
was t(e population of one of t(e most flouris(ing towns in t(e state, a'andoning t(eir (omes
and property0
3(ere were ot(er pro'lems later and some of t(ese fol*s did return to New Ulm at
a later time0 But some didn&t0 According to #arriet Bond&s o'ituary, sometime after t(is
e,ent, t(e family returned, for a time to West Birginia w(ere t(ey (ad li,ed 'efore0
August 31, a detail of !aptain 5rant&s company wit( some citi:ens were sent from
1ort +idgley to t(e -ower Agency to feel t(e enemy, 'ury t(e dead and perform any ot(er
ser,ice t(at mig(t arise0 3(ey went as far as -ittle !row&s ,illage, no sign of )ndians0 3(en
on .eptem'er 1
st
, t(ey reac(ed Birc( !oulie and encamped at t(e (ead of it, w(ic( was
nearly opposite t(e ferry w(ere !aptain "ars(&s company was am'us(ed0
A 'attle raged (ere from morning of .eptem'er
rescued settlers below 2
nd
to .eptem'er 3
rd
, )ndians fleeing w(en !olonel
.i'ley&s w(ole command arri,ed to relie,e t(em0
Around t(e area, ot(er fortifications were created to
defend against any ot(er attac*s 'y t(e rampaging
)ndians0 !olonel .i'ley *new t(e )ndians (ad w(ite
capti,es and rescue of t(em was t(e most important
t(ing to (im, so on .eptem'er Ht(, after t(e Battle at
Birc( !oulie, (e attac(ed to a sta*e on t(e 'attlefield
a communication feeling confident t(at it would get to
-ittle !row0 !olonel .i'ley recei,ed a note from -ittle
!row on .eptem'er 7t(, deli,ered 'y 2 (alf6'reeds0
Wit( t(is, (e answered,
$-ittle !row, you (a,e murdered many of our
people wit(out any sufficient cause0 +eturn me t(e
prisoners under a flag of truce, and ) will tal* wit( you li*e a man0% #e didn&t (ear 'ac*
until .eptem'er 12
t(
wit( -ittle !row admitting to (a,ing 1II prisoners0
Numerous communications 'ac* and fort( wit( no real results0 .eptem'er 17
t(
, !olonel
.i'ley 'egan t(e mo,e on t(e enemy0 .eptem'er 23
rd
a s*irmis( led to t(e Battle of Wood
-a*e0 A one and one6(alf (our 'attle led to a routing of t(e )ndians0 3(e w(ite prisoners
were rescued as well0 1rom !amp +elease, (e purged a near'y )ndian encampment, and
appre(ended 16, supposed to 'e connected to latter outrages0 #e set up a military tri'unal
wit( I officers to try t(em0 ;n .eptem'er 28
t(
, a tri'unal was con,ened consisting of !ol0
William !roo*s @6
t(
"innesota +egimentA, -t0 !ol0 William +0 "ars(all @7
t(
"innesota
+egimentA, !aptain 5rant and !aptain Baily @'ot( of 6
t(
+egimentA and -t0 ;lin @3
rd

"innesota +egiment and possi'le relati,e to t(is aut(orA0 -t0 ;lin was 2udge ad,ocate later
records *ept 'y #onora'le )saac B0 D0 #eard, w(o was an e/perienced lawyer from .t0 <aul
and was on !ol0 .i'ley&s staff0 After numerous sittings in ,arious locations from .eptem'er
3C
t(
to No,em'er I
t(
, 1862, H2I prisoners were arraigned and tried0 1rom t(is, 321 were
found guilty of t(e offenses c(arged, and 3C3 were sentenced to deat( wit( t(e rest (a,ing
,arious terms of imprisonment0 3(e condemned were mo,ed to "an*ato w(ere t(ey were
confined in a (uge guard (ouse0 W(ile passing t(roug( New Ulm, women and ot(er residents
were interrupted in re'urying t(eir dead, 'ut t(e sig(t of t(e )ndians caused t(em to angrily
attac* wit( clu's, stones, *ni,es, (ot water and similar weapons0 ;ne )ndian was *illed wit(
many ot(ers 'attered and 'ruised0
<resident -incoln re8uested records of t(e trials w(ic( were t(en turned o,er to (is
legal and military ad,isors0 1ollowing t(is, t(e <resident made t(e following order,
$4/ecuti,e "ansion, Was(ington, D0 !0
Dec0 6, 1862
Brigadier 5eneral #enry #0 .i'ley, .t0 <aul, "inn0?
;rdered, t(at of t(e )ndians and (alf6'reeds sentenced to 'e (anged 'y t(e
military commission, composed of !olonel !roo*s, -ieutenant !olonel "ars(all,
!aptain 5rant, !aptain Bailey and -ieutenant ;lin, and lately sitting in "innesota,
you cause to 'e e/ecuted on 1riday, t(e nineteent( day of Decem'er, instant, t(e
following named, to6wit?
@#ere follow t(e names of t(irty6nine )ndians, and t(eir num'ers on t(e record
of con,iction0A
3(e ot(er condemned prisoners you will (old, su'2ect to furt(er orders, ta*ing
care t(at t(ey neit(er escape nor are su'2ected to any unlawful ,iolence0
AB+A#A" -)N!;-N,
$<resident of t(e United .tates0%
;n Decem'er 26, 1862, t(irty6eig(t
of t(e condemned were e/ecuted one (a,ing
'een pardoned 'y t(e <resident0 .ome
stories (a,e it t(at t(e pardoned )ndian was
actually (ung 'y accident and one of t(e
guilty was li'erated 'y mista*e0 3(e aut(or
of t(e 'oo* for t(e record won&t admit t(is
to 'e true 'ut states, $'ut as a citi:en,
t(oroug(ly well informed of current e,ents
at t(e time of t(is e/ecution, ) 'elie,e it to
'e a fact0% !aptain Burt of .tillwater,
"innesota, was t(e one intrusted
wit( t(e construction of t(e
(anging mac(ine capa'le of
sustaining 1C men on eac( side of
a s8uare form0 3(is was our
nations single largest e/ecution in
American (istory0 During t(e
winter of 1862, 16CC Da*ota
women, c(ildren and old men,
including t(e wife a 2 c(ildren of
$-ittle !row%, were (eld in an
internment camp on <i*e )sland,
near 1ort .nelling, "innesota0
<oor li,ing conditions and disease
<i*e )sland )nternment !amp resulted in more t(en 3CC dieing0
)n "ay 1863, t(ey were relocated
to t(e !row !ree* +eser,ation in t(e sout(eastern Da*ota 3erritory0
3(is e/ecution ended (ostilities for some time, 'ut t(e
)ndians were not done0 ;n 7une 7, 1863, -ittle !row&s
followers were to 'e at De,il&s -a*e in Da*ota 3erritory
wit( a large num'er of Upper .iou/ )ndians0 5eneral .i'ley
wit( staff consisting of nowAd2utant 5eneral ;lin, Brigade
!ommissary 1or'es, Asst0 !ommissary and ;rdinance
;fficer Atc(ison, !ommissary !ler* .pencer,
Euartermaster !orning wit( ot(ers as well as 3,CI2
infantry, 8CC ca,alry, 1H8 artillerymen and a supply train
of 22I si/6mule wagons departed on 7une 16, 1863 to
encounter t(e )ndians0 ;n 7uly 3, 1863, -ittle !row
,entured down near #utc(ison wit( (is young son, t(oug(t
to 'e getting somet(ing (e (id or to steal (orses, 'ut w(ile
pic*ing 'erries, a farmer named -amson, w(o was loo*ing
for (is cows, saw -ittle !row and s(ot (im dead0 #is scalp
Little row!s scalp Little row!s family
is said to decorate t(e walls of t(e
"innesota #istorical .ociety at t(is time0 ;n 7uly
2H
t(
'roug(t t(e Battle of Big "ound leading to
t(e )ndians fleeing, losing most of t(eir camp
e8uipment0 ;n t(e 26
t(
was t(e Battle of Dead
Buffalo -a*e0 ;n 7uly 28
t(
t(ey foug(t again at
t(e Battle of .tony -a*e, wit( t(e )ndians fleeing
towards t(e "issouri +i,er0 3(is cleared out all
t(e .iou/ to 'eyond t(e west side of t(e "issouri
+i,er in Da*ota 3erritory0 Anot(er e/pedition in
186H was sent out to pursue and attac* 'eyond t(e
"issouri0 1rom 7une to August t(ey (ad gone as
far as t(e Fellowstone +i,er routing )ndians along
t(e way0 3(ey came (ome from Fellowstone +i,er
'y way of 1orts Union, Bert(old and .te,enson reac(ing 1ort +ice on .eptem'er =
t(
0
1urt(er e/peditions were launc(ed in 7une 186I and again in 18660 No important results
from t(ese latter e/peditions0
"any contro,ersies continue to t(is day0 3o
'e fair, t(ere was wrong done on 'ot( sides of t(e
issues0 )f you listen to t(e current day .iou/
representati,es, mostly you (ear information from
t(e day t(ey mo,ed t(e )ndians to t(e
encampment setup on <i*e )sland near 1ort
.nelling, "innesota0 But, t(ey don&t say w(at
(appened to t(e w(ite settlers in t(e -ower
Agency and 'eyond0 ;f some of t(eir stories, t(ey
differ to t(e w(ite settler&s ,ersion and t(ey differ
among t(eir own to some e/tent0 )n $Big 4agle&s%
own statement of w(at (e *new, it comes closer to
t(e w(ite settler&s tales of w(at (appened0 ) new
some of w(at our country (ad done, 'ut (ad ne,er
(eard from a real )ndian w(o was in t(e midst of
t(e conflicts0 #e ,erifies muc( of t(e stories ) (ad
read and new of, from t(e w(ite settlers accounts0


$Big 4agle%
As a result of t(e (undreds *illed during t(is time, some names mentioned 'y t(e
witness include,
August 18, 1862 > Dr0 #ump(rey, surgeon at t(e agency was among = or 1C 'odies
found during marc( to t(e ferry to cross t(e ri,er0
August 18, 1862 > !aptain 7o(n "ars( drowned trying to cross t(e "innesota +i,er
near t(e ferry0
August 18, 1862 > <eter Euinn, U0.0 )nterpreter, married to a !(ippewa, *illed0
August 23, 1862 > 1
st
-t0 William B0 Dodd, s(ot 'y 3 or H )ndian 'ullets w(ile galloping
down main street of New Ulm, died later in afternoon of (is wounds0
August 23, 1862 > Newell #oug(ton found in t(e 'rus( dead and (ad 'een scalped0
3(e )ndians credited wit( warning of t(e .iou/ uprising
and allowing many to escape massacre including t(e Bond
family were,
7o(n ;t(erday @ An6pay6tu6to*6a6c(aA and <aul "a6:a6*u6ta6ma6ni, president of t(e
#a:elwood +epu'lic0
;t(ers in my family tree w(o (a,e 'een reportedly in,ol,ed,
7osia( +ogers 'orn 1833, died 1=23 was in !ompany B, 1
st
+egiment "innesota
"ounted +angers and was among t(e guard at t(e (anging of t(e 38 )ndians in "an*ato0
Was disc(arged in 1863, reenlisted in186I in !ompany K, "innesota Artillery +egiment
and ser,ed in 3ennessee until t(e end of t(e !i,il War0
;f note, doing researc( in anot(er part of t(e family tree, found t(at a 2
nd
(us'and
@#iram AndirtonA of my H
t(
great grandmot(er, !larissa Nas(, is mentioned in (er o'ituary
t(at (e was *illed 'y )ndians in t(e )ndian "assacre near -a*e 4lysian, w(ic( is 'y
"an*ato0 3(is would 'e at t(e tail end of t(e )ndian "assacre ) write of in t(is story0
1amily story (as it t(at (e went wit( intention of trading wit( t(e )ndians0
A -t0 ;lin later Ad2utant 5eneral, was part of t(e original military tri'unal put
toget(er 'y !ol0 .i'ley, and need furt(er researc( to determine if my ;lin family from
"innesota can 'e lin*ed to t(is ;lin of t(e 3
rd
"innesota +egiment0
#enry .c(uyler ;lin 'orn 182=, was wit( family in 1ree'orn, "innesota in 'ot(
186C and 187C 1ree'orn census records0 #e is my 2
nd
great grandfat(er, fat(er of !laston
Bond&s wife ;rra -illian ;lin0 1ree'orn was sout( and east of trou'led area, not sure if it
was under t(reat, 'ut was ,ery near some of t(e areas (ea,ily in,ol,ed0 3(is family
consisted of #enry, wife Anna !randall and daug(ters ;rra @3 yrs old at time of uprisingA,
and "ary @1 year old at time of uprisingA, <(oe'e was 'orn a couple years after t(e e,ent0
<ossi'ly descendants of ;rra, "ary and <(oe'e and t(eir e/istence may (a,e 'een in
2eopardy if t(ey were in,ol,ed in t(e massacres0
In "ummary#
$any hundreds were %illed (including Indians) and as a result, their were no
descendants of these people. But than%s to a warning from the & friendly Indians
mentioned above, many hundreds escaped massacre and death, allowing them
descendants including this author and many others. 'e(t page lists members of the
Bond )amilies and their documentation to verify their part in this story.
Bond )amilies
*illiam $. Bond + born 'ov. ,, -.-/ Harrison ounty, 0irginia
wife $ary 1nn 2elley + born 3ec. 4, -.&- died 5ct. -6, -.47)
Note: Mary had died before the massacres, so wasn't there, her
children were motherless at the time of these events. List of children who
survived giving the existence of their descendants.
8reston 9andolph Bond + born $arch -, -.,4
was 17 yrs old at the time of the massacres.
wife + Levantia ooper Babcoc%
children
Hattie Bond
1delaid :1ddie; Bond
Burton )estus Bond
9ose Bond
<dwin 5liver Bond
all descendants of each of these children would not
e(ist today, if 8reston had not survived the massacres.
)ran%lin $a(im Bond + born 5ct. &6, -.,6
was -4 yrs old at the time of the massacres.
wife + $artha =ane hancy
children
1lon>o 3. Bond
1lbert 8. Bond
harles 0. Bond
&
nd
wife + 'ancy <li>abeth $c?inty
children
, children who are at this time un%nown plus,
Hattie ". Bond
<lsie . Bond
9ose Lenora Bond
<lsworth "tuart Bond
$arietta :9etta; Bond
all descendants of each of these children would not
e(ist today, if )ran%lin had not survived the massacres.
laston I. Bond + born 1pril &., -.,/
was -@ yrs old at the time of the massacres.
wife + 5rra Lillian 5lin
children
*illiam Henry Bond (this authors grandfather)
*alter laston Bond
L Bond
Ha>el <thelene Bond (was adopted, so not blood descendant)
all descendants of each of these children would not
e(ist today, if laston had not survived the massacres.
Harriet :Hattie; Bond + born 1pril &A, -.4-
was -- yrs old at the time of the massacres.
husband + He>e%iah $ilton "tout
children
3r. 1rlow Burdette "tout
laude 3. "tout
all descendants of each of these children would not
e(ist today, if Harriet had not survived the massacres.
Ira <lwin Bond + born 1pril &, -.4@
was / yrs old at the time of the massacres.
wife + 1lma <thel Babcoc%
children
lifford ?erald Bond
Lenna oila Bond
9obert Ira Bond
Iva Letti Bond
$ary <thel Bond
3ewey Lee Bond
Leslie <. Bond
all descendants of each of these children would not
e(ist, if Ira had not survived the massacres.
5liver Bond + born 1pril &-, -.44
never married, no children, his line stops here.
*illiam $. Bond!s &
nd
wife + $ary =ane Loomis
children
<dgar Bond
lara Belle Bond
0iola Bond
*illiam 1lbert Bond
0irginia :=ennie; Bond
1lvira Bond
3aniel Bond
all descendants of each of these children would not e(ist
today, if *illiam had not survived the massacres.
1lso included all descendants of 9ichard and 8rudence Bond!s
daughters aroline and 8rudence Bond who were there, listed in
following census records.
8rimary 9eference material#
!he "istory of Minnesota and !ales of the #rontier$, by %harles &.
#landrau, 't. (aul, Minnesota 1)**
+ages 1,- . 1/7
former 0udge and 'ioux 1ndian 2gent in Minnesota, was witness to
most events he wrote about, or new +eo+le he got information from.
4/planation of te/t color?
$y writings in blac%.
Harriet :Hattie; Bond!s words in blue.
harles <. )landrau!s words in brown.
8ress ctrl %ey and clic% mouse to return to your spot in the story.
+eferences?
L1M 3(e #istory of "innesota and 3ales of t(e 1rontier 'y !(arles 4ugene 1landrau
downloada'le 5oogle 'oo* at>
(ttp?'oo*s0google0com'oo*sN
idO=DCBAAAAFAA7PprintsecOfrontco,erPd8Ot(eQ(istoryQofQminnesotaQandQtalesQofQt(eQfro
ntierP(lOenPeiO5*,m3p7/;H83iEK<H7mHBgPsaORPoiO'oo*>resultPctOresultPresnumO1P,e
dOC!DUE6A4wAAS,OonepageP8Ot(eT2C(istoryT2CofT2CminnesotaT2CandT2CtalesT2Cof
T2Ct(eT2CfrontierPfOfalse
L2M 3(e #istory of +en,ille !ounty, "innesota Bol 1 downloada'le 5oogle 'oo* at>
(ttp?'oo*s0google0com'oo*sN
idO:C4BAAAAFAA7PprintsecOfrontco,erPd8Ot(eQ(istoryQofQminnesotaP(lOenPeiO!*rm3,y/
K"8WiE-B/uWyBgPsaORPoiO'oo*>resultPctOresultPresnumO1CP,edOC!)"B4;gB"A*S,O
onepageP8Ot(eT2C(istoryT2CofT2CminnesotaPfOfalse
L3M "innesota in t(e !i,il War? An )llustrated #istory page 1== at>
(ttp?'oo*s0google0com'oo*sN
idOlB55l+1I,3w!PpgO<A1==Pd8OcolQsi'leyQfreedQw(iteQsettlersQfromQsiou/QindiansP(lOen
PeiOp*Rm3p217e'UiA-"pu2>BgPsaORPoiO'oo*>resultPctOresultPresnumO=P,edOC!18E6A
4w!AS,OonepageP8OcolT2Csi'leyT2CfreedT2Cw(iteT2CsettlersT2CfromT2Csiou/
T2CindiansPfOfalse
LHM #arper&s Boo* of 1acts, page 372, downloada'le 5oogle 'oo* at>
(ttp?'oo*s0google0com'oo*sN
idOUcw5AAAAFAA7PpgO<A372Pd8OcolQsi'leyQfreedQw(iteQsettlersQfromQsiou/QindiansP(lO
enPeiOp*Rm3p217e'UiA-"pu2>BgPsaORPoiO'oo*>resultPctOresultPresnumO6P,edOC!48E6
A4wBES,OonepageP8OcolT2Csi'leyT2CfreedT2Cw(iteT2CsettlersT2CfromT2Csiou/
T2CindiansPfOfalse
LIM )ndian "assacre in "innesota 'y !(arles .0 Bryant at>
(ttp?'oo*s0google0com'oo*sN
idOIK71C"=#gA8!PpgO<+8PlpgO<+8Pd8OindianQmassacreQinQminnesotaQ'yQc(arlesQ'ryan
tPsourceO'lPotsO1K3c8!i"#oPsigO14>iwmgc"Uo6
W!37:yCBcI3rfCwP(lOenPeiO4W2m3uK1!HWFmERWn>33BAPsaORPoiO'oo*>resultPctOre
sultPresnumOIPs8iO2P,edOC!4*E6A4wBAS,OonepageP8OindianT2CmassacreT2Cin
T2CminnesotaT2C'yT2Cc(arlesT2C'ryantPfOfalse
L6M !(ief Big 4agle&s .tory of t(e .iou/ ;ut'rea*, downloada'le )nternet Arc(i,e 'oo* at>
(ttp?www0arc(i,e0orgdetailssiou/storyofwarcCCwamdric(
L7M #istorical !i,il War tintype p(otos at>
(ttp?www0cowanauctions0comauctionscatalog0asp/N.ale)dO2H3PmcatO1CCH
L8M Da*ota War of 1862 on Wi*ipedia at>
(ttp?en0wi*ipedia0orgwi*iDa*ota>War>of>1862
L=M American )ndian Wars on Wi*ipedia at >
(ttp?en0wi*ipedia0orgwi*iAmerican>)ndian>Wars
L1CM 3(e Da*ota !onflict of 1862 at>
(ttp?www10assumption0eduusersmcclymer(is26Cdefaultsiou/0(tml
L11M 3(e .iou/ Uprising of 1862 at>
(ttp?minnesotag(osts0cominde/0p(pNoptionOcom>contentP,iewOarticlePidO88?t(e6siou/6
uprising6of61862PcatidOI?minnesota6(istoryP)temidO13
L12M -argest "ass #anging in United .tates #istory at>
(ttp?www0unitednati,eamerica0com(anging0(tml
L13M Wood -a*e Battlefield at>
(ttp?woodla*e'attlefield0com'attle6(istory0p(p
)n t(e following census records, t(e "ary listed in t(e 18IC
)ndiana and 18I7 "innesota census is "ary Ann Kelley, s(e
died in 18I70 3(e "ary listed in later census records is "ary
7ane -oomis, William&s 2
nd
wife0
!laston )0 Bond&s o'ituary
t)is aut)or3s great grand/at)er
<reston +andolp( Bond&s o'ituary
1ran*lin "a/im Bond&s o'ituary
#arriet #attie Bond&s o'ituary
)ra 4lwin Bond&s o'ituary
;li,er Bond&s o'ituary
18IC Walt:, Wa'as(, )ndiana !ensus
William, "ary, <reston, 1ran*lin P !laston Bond
18IC Walt:, Wa'as(, )ndiana !ensus
+ic(ard, <rudence, !aroline, <rudence Bond
18I7 3owns(ip 1C=, !ourtland, Nicollet, "innesota !ensus
William, "ary, <reston, 1ran*lin, !laston, #arriet,
)ra, and ;li,er Bond
18I7 3owns(ip 1C=, !ourtland, Nicollet, "innesota !ensus
+ic(ard, <rudence, !aroline, and <rudence Bond
186C !ourtland, Nicollet, "innesota !ensus
William, <reston, 1ran*lin, !laston, #arriet, )ra P ;li,er Bond
+ic(ard, <rudence, !aroline P <rudence Bond
186I !ordo,a, -e .ueur, "innesota !ensus
William, "ary 7ane, <reston, 1ran*lin, !laston,
#arriet, )ra, ;li,er, 4dgar and !lara Belle Bond
187C 5rant, #arrison, West Birginia !ensus
William, "ary 7ane, <reston, 1ran*lin, !laston, #arriet,
)ra, ;li,er, 4dgar, !lara Belle, Biola P William Bond
)ra Bond and family in 5entry, Ar*ansas a'out 1=C2
;li,er Bond a'out 1=2C on (is "innesota land
1or ot(er old family p(otos can ,iew on Ancestry tree
(ttp?trees0ancestry0comtreeH=C2H17person61I2I8HICH7
3(is completes t(e s(ort story of w(at transpired during
t(ose days, w(en t(e )ndians were rampaging around t(e
frontier0 ) (a,e answered my 8uestion of w(at my ancestors&
remar*s and o'ituaries were referring to and w(at t(ey (ad
to deal wit(0 ) en,ision (ow t(e younger ones (ad to li,e and
w(at t(ey dealt wit( during t(e 186C&s0 !an you imagine w(at
*ids today would feel li*e if t(ey (ad to li,e li*e t(ose *ids of
early timesN 4,en if t(ey (ad to deal wit( life during t(e 1=IC&s,
as ) did0 ) (ad no 3B, and ) remem'er t(ose e,enings laying
on t(e floor in front of t(e radio, listening to t(e 5reen #ornet,
3(e #oneymooners, Dar* .(adows, 5eorge Burns and 5racie
Allen, and many ot(ers0 And yes, ) can tell my grandc(ildren,
$ ) (ad to wal* 2 miles, in *nee deep "innesota snow, to
sc(ool $, 'ecause ) did0 ) can&t 'e t(ere in person, 'ut (a,e
seen t(e pat( ) too* t(ose wintery days, on 5oogle 4art(0 "y
old (ome doesn&t e/ist, alt(oug( can still see t(e lot it stood on0
3(is (istorical uprising 'y t(e .iou/ )ndians led to our
nations largest single e/ecution of all times, and many of t(ese
)ndians later were t(e ,ery ones w(o *illed 5eneral 5eorge
Armstrong !uster, 2 of (is 'rot(ers, a 'rot(er6in6law and
ot(ers0 3urns out, t(e 'rot(er6in6law mentioned, may 'e an
ancester of an old friend of mine (ere in ;regon, alt(oug( still
wor*ing on t(e connection0
)n doing t(is story, wanted family to *now w(at (ad
(appened and of note, if not for 2 friendly )ndians gi,ing out
a warning of w(at was (appening, we may not 'e (ere today0
3(e sad fact is, t(at many died t(ose days and t(eir families
did not sur,i,e to carry on t(eir family lines0 As wit( all
disasters, some sur,i,e and some don&t0
5ene Bond
descendant of a sur,i,or, !laston )0 Bond