Lieutenant Thomas P. Gere grew up in 1842 from inside the Wellsburg, Nyc. The guy signed up on 5th Minnesota Voluntary Infantry Routine during the years 19, mustering in on January 17, 1862. He was promoted in order to very first sergeant into February 5 of the year immediately after which so you can next lieutenant on the elizabeth basic lieutenant and you can adjutant. He had been nineteen years old and you may founded at the Fort Ridgely for the 1862 in the event the You.S.-Dakota Combat bankrupt away. To the day out-of August 18, he was responsible on fort whenever Capt. John Marsh kept observe in the reports coming from the Lower Sioux Department on the Dakota attacksmanding twenty-five soldiers, and handling countless terror-ridden refugees fleeing periods, Gere Gov. Ramsey and you can Fort Snelling requesting reinforcements. Putting their troops and lots of refugees to arrange for attack, the guy awaited assist. He was fundamentally joined by Sheehan and his troops, plus Indian Broker Galbraith together with Renville Rangers, in addition to fort kept away for another 10 days.
Gere after fought about Municipal Combat. He was given new Medal of Prize when you look at the 1865 to have his tips at Race off Nashville when you look at the 1864. The guy mustered from the military inside 1865 and you will began really works on railway providers. He died for the 1912 and you may is actually hidden during the Arlington Federal Cemetery when you look at the Virginia.
In the August away from 1862, in the beginning of the You.S.-Dakota War, Chaska, otherwise Wechankawastadonpe, a good Dakota man, along with his campanion, Hapan, came across Sarah Wakefield fleeing gratis latina datingsajter inside a keen acquaintance’s truck regarding the Down Sioux Company. Deciding to free Wakefield once Hapan murdered Mr. Gleason–the fresh wagon owner–Chaska took their particular along with her students significantly less than his safeguards regarding the six weeks of fights. Moving all of them in along with his family, the guy said he wished to marry Wakefield to save her secure out-of any recognized damage. At the conclusion of the war, Chaska released Wakefield at Camp Discharge. Wakefield urged Chaska with his friends to keep, comforting all of them which they will be handled rather. Regarding their safety she said, «If this wasn’t getting Chaska my skeleton perform today end up being lightening to the prairie».
Even after their own claims safeguarding Chaska, produced in public and you can for the ensuing samples away from Dakota dudes involved throughout the war, Chaska try imprisoned and you may initially sentenced become hanged.
Immediately following having his sentence commuted so you’re able to a prison term, Chaska nevertheless ended up being one of many 38 hanged into the Mankato. You will find disagreement over whether it was unintentional or meaningful. Stephen Riggs asserted that the brand new mistake happened when Chaska’s term is entitled in which he stood up rather than the suggested people, Chaskadon. Wakefield debated this time and you can told you, «I’m able to never believe that all in authority on Mankato got shed just what Chaska try destined for, and i am sure, during my brain, it had been complete purposefully.»
On one-point, Standard Sibley regarded Chaska just like the Wakefield’s companion
Immediately following his death, Chaska’s body try hastily hidden to your other victims. It was after that exhumed because of the physicians for usage getting dissection.
Reactions following holding allude towards the flurry off advice nearby the newest «scandal» ranging from Chaska and you may Wakefield. Inside a letter so you can J. Fletcher Williams, secretary of your own Minnesota Historical Society, J. K. Arnold revealed how the guy arrived to possession away from a great noose away from the Mankato hangings.
Gossip in the their particular and Chaska’s dating incited prejudiced views
Beloved “Fletch,” Your bill rec’d “Ok.” Thank-you. On condition that your future meeting happens regarding feel the quality recognizing receipt of your file be produced into “Seventh Routine, Minn Infty thro’ J. K. Arnold Adjutant __.” We fw’d to day brand new rope, new with knot and you may noose just as it actually was taken off out-of Chaska’s lead. It’s not ever been untied, that will be, as it is actually obtained from his shoulder. I stole it. Col. Miller was going to publish them all (38) to Washington, but I needed this package and therefore installed Chaska. I got it off his shoulder hid it under my layer, went to my place. Hid it below my blankets (bed) and slept inside it until the thrill was more than towards shed line, whenever i sent it home by the Display, as which i provides very carefully managed it. “Dated Steph” generated a negative mess around regarding it wondering what possess end up being of it, the guy __ does not know even today you to their Adjutant encountered the exact same. Sufficiently. Believe it, out of your friend. And-one-word a lot more. One point-Relics-Statistics or wh____ you would like I could furnish. Name through to The Pal (I really hope) J. K Arnold This is certainly a photo from Lincoln’s Performance Number, 1862.