Lieutenant Thomas P. Gere grew up in 1842 inside the Wellsburg, New york. The guy signed up on the fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment at the ages 19, mustering for the toward dateinasia mobil January 17, 1862. He was marketed so you’re able to very first sergeant on the February 5 of the season and so you can second lieutenant for the e very first lieutenant and adjutant. He had been nineteen yrs old and situated on Fort Ridgely when you look at the 1862 if the U.S.-Dakota War bankrupt aside. Towards the early morning of August 18, he had been in control at fort whenever Capt. John Marsh kept to see from the records from the All the way down Sioux Company from the Dakota attacksmanding twenty five soldiers, and you can handling countless scary-ridden refugees fleeing periods, Gere Gov. Ramsey and you can Fort Snelling requesting reinforcements. Putting his troops and lots of refugees to prepare to have assault, the guy anticipated assist. He was finally entered of the Sheehan and his troops, and Indian Agent Galbraith in addition to Renville Rangers, while the fort kept aside for the next ten months.
Gere after battled from the Civil Combat. He was given the fresh Medal out of Honor into the 1865 having his measures from the Race of Nashville from inside the 1864. He mustered outside of the military when you look at the 1865 and you will first started work from the railway providers. He died from inside the 1912 and you will try buried when you look at the Arlington Federal Cemetery when you look at the Virginia.
Into the August out of 1862, in the beginning of the U.S.-Dakota Combat, Chaska, otherwise Wechankawastadonpe, a good Dakota man, along with his campanion, Hapan, found Sarah Wakefield fleeing inside the an enthusiastic acquaintance’s truck on All the way down Sioux Department. Choosing to free Wakefield immediately following Hapan murdered Mr. Gleason–the newest truck holder–Chaska took their particular along with her youngsters less than his security from the six weeks out of fights. Moving all of them in the along with his family, the guy said the guy desired to get married Wakefield to save their own safer of people imagined spoil. After the war, Chaska create Wakefield within Camp Discharge. Wakefield urged Chaska along with his family relations to stay, reassuring all of them that they is handled fairly. Regarding the his protection she told you, “In the event it wasn’t getting Chaska my skeleton create now be lightening to the prairie”.
Despite their particular states safeguarding Chaska, generated in public and you will inside ensuing examples regarding Dakota dudes inside it throughout the conflict, Chaska was imprisoned and you may initially sentenced is hanged.
After which have his phrase commuted to help you a jail name, Chaska nevertheless got among the 38 hanged during the Mankato. There’s dispute over if or not this is unintentional otherwise purposeful. Stephen Riggs mentioned that the newest error was held when Chaska’s identity are titled and he stood right up rather than the created man, Chaskadon. Wakefield disputed this time and you may said, “I’m able to never accept that all-in authority on Mankato had forgotten what Chaska are condemned for, and i am sure, during my mind, it was complete purposefully.”
From the one point, General Sibley regarded Chaska just like the Wakefield’s lover
Shortly after his demise, Chaska’s looks was quickly tucked into the almost every other victims. It had been following exhumed by the physicians for use to have dissection.
Responses after the clinging allude into flurry out-of opinion encompassing the fresh “scandal” between Chaska and you can Wakefield. In the a letter to J. Fletcher Williams, assistant of the Minnesota Historical People, J. K. Arnold revealed how he came into arms away from a good noose off the Mankato hangings.
Hearsay regarding their unique and Chaska’s dating incited prejudiced opinions
Dear “Fletch,” Your own receipt rec’d “Okay.” Thank-you. Only if your upcoming fulfilling will come from have the quality taking acknowledgment of your document be manufactured for the “Seventh Regiment, Minn Infty thro’ J. K. Arnold Adjutant __.” We fw’d to-day the latest rope, brand new having knot and noose exactly as it absolutely was taken from of Chaska’s head. It has got not ever been untied, and that is, whilst try extracted from his shoulder. We stole it. Col. Miller was going to upload these (38) to help you Washington, but I needed this 1 and therefore hung Chaska. We took it off their shoulder hid they less than my layer, went to my place. Hid it around my personal blankets (bed) and you will slept inside it up until the adventure are more than with the missing rope, as i shipped it house from the Share, just like the that we enjoys very carefully preserved they. “Dated Steph” produced a bad fool around about any of it curious what have become from it, the guy __ cannot know to this day you to definitely their Adjutant met with the same. Good enough. Accept it, from your own buddy. And-one-word far more. People question-Relics-Analytics or wh____ you would like I am able to furnish. Label up on Your own Friend (I’m hoping) J. K Arnold This will be a photograph regarding Lincoln’s Delivery Listing, 1862.