Rumors regarding the their and you will Chaska’s relationship incited prejudiced opinions
Lieutenant Thomas P. Gere grew up in 1842 in Wellsburg, New york. He signed up from the 5th Minnesota Voluntary Infantry Regiment in the age 19, mustering within the towards January 17, 1862. He had been promoted to help you first sergeant on the March 5 of the seasons after which to 2nd lieutenant into the age basic lieutenant and adjutant. He had been nineteen yrs old and you can situated at the Fort Ridgely in the 1862 in the event that U.S.-Dakota War broke away. With the day from August 18, he was responsible within fort whenever Capt. John Marsh kept observe on profile coming from the All the way down Sioux Agencies on Dakota attacksmanding twenty five soldiers, and you will taking good care of a huge selection of terror-ridden refugees fleeing attacks, Gere Gov. Ramsey and you will Fort Snelling requesting reinforcements. Putting his soldiers and several refugees to set up having attack, he awaited help. He had been fundamentally inserted by the Sheehan and his awesome troops, together with Indian Broker Galbraith plus the Renville Rangers, as well as the fort held away for another 10 months.
Gere after fought about Civil War. He was given the fresh new Medal off Prize when you look at the 1865 to own their strategies within Race of Nashville in the 1864. The guy mustered outside of the army for the 1865 and you will began really works in the railway company. He passed away during the 1912 and you may try hidden for the Arlington Federal Cemetery in Virginia.
When you look at the August out of 1862, in the very beginning of the You.S.-Dakota Conflict, Chaska, otherwise Wechankawastadonpe, good Dakota guy, and his awesome campanion, Hapan, came across Sarah Wakefield fleeing inside the an enthusiastic acquaintance’s wagon from the Down Sioux Institution. Choosing to free Wakefield immediately after Hapan killed Mr. Gleason–brand new wagon owner–Chaska got their and her youngsters less than his cover in the six-weeks of battles. Swinging them within the together with his loved ones, the guy stated the guy planned to get married Wakefield to save their own safe of one imagined spoil. At the end of the battle, Chaska put out Wakefield at Camp Launch. Wakefield urged Chaska with his members of the family to keep, reassuring all of them which they was handled pretty. On their protection she said, “When it wasn’t to own Chaska my personal skeleton would today getting lightening for the prairie”.
Despite her states protecting Chaska, made in public places and you will into the ensuing samples out-of Dakota dudes in it on combat, Chaska try imprisoned and you will first sentenced become hanged.
Just after which have their sentence commuted to a jail identity, Chaska nevertheless got among the 38 hanged in Mankato. You will find argument more whether or not it was accidental or purposeful. Stephen Riggs said that this new mistake was held whenever Chaska’s title are entitled and he endured right up as opposed to the suggested guy, Chaskadon. Wakefield disputed this point and said, “I’m able to never believe that all-in power within Mankato had forgotten just what Chaska is actually destined to have, and i am sure, in my head, it actually was over intentionally.”
Just after their dying, Chaska’s looks try hastily tucked into most other victims. It actually was then exhumed by physicians to be used to own dissection.
At the one point, Standard Sibley regarded Chaska once the Wakefield’s companion
Responses following the dangling allude on flurry from advice related new “scandal” between Chaska and you may Wakefield. Inside the a page to help you J. Fletcher Williams, secretary of your Minnesota Historic Area, J. K. Arnold explained how he came into fingers regarding a beneficial noose from new Mankato hangings.
Beloved “Fletch,” Your own receipt rec’d “Ok.” Thank you. Only if your future fulfilling will come from feel the quality accepting receipt of your own document be manufactured to your “7th Regiment, Minn Infty thro’ J. K godatenow mobiili. Arnold Adjutant __.” We fw’d to day the latest rope, totally new with knot and noose just as it had been removed from away from Chaska’s head. It offers never been untied, that is, because are taken from their shoulder. We took they. Col. Miller would definitely posting every one of them (38) so you’re able to Arizona, however, I needed this package and this installed Chaska. I took it off their neck hid it below my layer, visited my place. Hid they less than my personal bedding (bed) and you can slept on it before the adventure was more than to the missing line, while i sent they house from the Express, as that we keeps cautiously managed they. “Old Steph” generated an awful play around about any of it curious what possess feel of it, the guy __ does not know to this day one his Adjutant met with the exact same. Good enough. Believe it, out of your pal. And-one word way more. People question-Relics-Analytics otherwise wh____ you want I can furnish. Name on Their Friend (I hope) J. K Arnold This will be an image out of Lincoln’s Performance Checklist, 1862.