Lieutenant Thomas P. Gere grew up in 1842 in Wellsburg, Ny. He signed up regarding the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Routine at the ages 19, mustering from inside the into the January 17, 1862. He had been marketed to help you first sergeant for the February 5 of this 12 months and in order to second lieutenant with the e earliest lieutenant and you may adjutant. He was nineteen yrs old and you may founded on Fort Ridgely in the 1862 when the U.S.-Dakota Conflict broke aside. Into day off August 18, he was in charge in the fort when Capt. John Marsh leftover observe throughout the reports coming from the All the way down Sioux Agencies on the Dakota attacksmanding twenty five soldiers, and you can taking good care of a huge selection of scary-ridden refugees fleeing periods, Gere Gov. Ramsey and Fort Snelling asking for reinforcements. Throwing his troops and some refugees to set up for assault, he anticipated assist. He had been in the end registered because of the Sheehan and his awesome troops, together with Indian Representative Galbraith together with Renville Rangers, additionally the fort stored out for the next ten days.
Gere after fought in the Municipal Combat. He was approved the new Medal out-of Award from inside the 1865 to own his steps from the Competition of Nashville for the 1864. He mustered out of the armed forces inside the 1865 and you can began performs in the railroad providers. He died for the 1912 and is actually tucked during the Arlington Federal Cemetery inside the Virginia.
Inside the August regarding 1862, in the beginning of the U.S.-Dakota Battle, Chaska, otherwise Wechankawastadonpe, a good Dakota guy, and his awesome campanion, Hapan, fulfilled Sarah Wakefield fleeing in an enthusiastic acquaintance’s wagon about Down Sioux Company. Deciding to spare Wakefield shortly after Hapan killed Mr. Gleason–the fresh new wagon holder–Chaska got her and her people not as much as his shelter from the six-weeks away from fights. Swinging all of them inside together with nearest and dearest, he reported he desired to wed Wakefield to store their particular secure away from any observed damage. After the war, Chaska create Wakefield within Go camping Release. Wakefield advised Chaska and his awesome friends to remain, soothing them which they would-be managed fairly. In the their security she said, “Whether it had not been to own Chaska my skeleton manage today become bleaching into the prairie”.
Even after their states safeguarding Chaska, generated in public areas and you may inside resulting products out-of Dakota men inside it throughout the battle, Chaska was imprisoned and you will first sentenced as hanged.
After which have their sentence commuted in order to a prison identity, Chaska still got one of many 38 hanged for the Mankato. Discover disagreement more whether or not this was accidental otherwise meaningful. Stephen Riggs mentioned that brand new mistake happened whenever Chaska’s label was entitled and then he endured right up rather than the implied guy, Chaskadon. Wakefield disputed this point and said, “I am able to never ever believe that all in power in the Mankato got missing what Chaska was condemned to have, i am also yes, in my brain, it was done purposefully.”
At one-point, Standard Sibley regarded Chaska once the Wakefield’s spouse
Just after their death, Chaska’s human body is quickly tucked on the most other victims. It actually was following exhumed by physicians to be used getting dissection.
Reactions after the clinging allude to the Flickor vid chatt flurry away from thoughts surrounding the fresh “scandal” between Chaska and you will Wakefield. Within the a page to J. Fletcher Williams, assistant of your Minnesota Historical Area, J. K. Arnold demonstrated just how the guy arrived to hands out of a great noose out-of new Mankato hangings.
Hearsay in the their and you may Chaska’s relationship incited prejudiced opinions
Dear “Fletch,” The bill rec’d “Ok.” Thank you so much. On condition that your upcoming conference arrives regarding have the solution taking bill of document be made towards the “Seventh Routine, Minn Infty thro’ J. K. Arnold Adjutant __.” We fw’d to-day the brand new rope, unique with knot and you can noose just as it had been taken out of from Chaska’s direct. It has got never been untied, and that’s, because was obtained from his neck. I took it. Col. Miller would definitely post them all (38) in order to Arizona, but I desired this 1 and that installed Chaska. We got it off his neck hid it less than my personal coat, went to my personal space. Hid it not as much as my blankets (bed) and you can slept involved till the adventure is more into destroyed rope, once i sent it household by Show, as the which i has carefully preserved it. “Dated Steph” made a poor mess around about any of it wanting to know just what could have become of it, the guy __ does not learn even today one to his Adjutant encountered the exact same. Sufficiently. Accept it as true, out of your friend. And-one-word a lot more. One situation-Relics-Statistics otherwise wh____ you want I’m able to furnish. Name upon Their Pal (I really hope) J. K Arnold This can be a photograph from Lincoln’s Delivery Checklist, 1862.