Lieutenant Thomas P. Gere grew up in 1842 inside the Wellsburg, Ny. He enlisted about 5th Minnesota Voluntary Infantry Regiment from the many years 19, mustering inside to your January 17, 1862. He had been advertised in order to first sergeant towards the March 5 of these year then to next lieutenant for the age very first lieutenant and adjutant. He was nineteen yrs . old and you may centered during the Fort Ridgely into the 1862 if You.S.-Dakota War bankrupt aside. Into the day away from August 18, he had been in control in the fort whenever Capt. John Marsh leftover observe throughout the reports coming from the All the way down Sioux Institution regarding the Dakota attacksmanding twenty-five troops, and taking good care of numerous horror-ridden refugees fleeing symptoms, Gere Gov. Ramsey and you may Fort Snelling requesting reinforcements. Tossing their soldiers and some refugees to set up for assault, he anticipated help. He was fundamentally registered from the Sheehan and his awesome soldiers, along with Indian Representative Galbraith plus the Renville Rangers, and the fort held out for the next 10 weeks.
Gere after fought throughout the Municipal Conflict. He had been approved the fresh new Medal away from Award inside 1865 for their methods within Competition from Nashville inside 1864. The guy mustered from the armed forces within the 1865 and you can began work regarding railroad business. He died into the 1912 and try tucked from inside the Arlington Federal Cemetery for hinge krediter the Virginia.
From inside the August off 1862, in the very beginning of the You.S.-Dakota Battle, Chaska, or Wechankawastadonpe, a great Dakota man, and his campanion, Hapan, fulfilled Sarah Wakefield fleeing in an enthusiastic acquaintance’s truck regarding Lower Sioux Agencies. Deciding to free Wakefield once Hapan slain Mr. Gleason–the newest wagon holder–Chaska grabbed their particular along with her students below his coverage in the six-weeks off matches. Swinging all of them during the along with his family relations, the guy reported the guy wanted to marry Wakefield to store their unique safer off any perceived damage. At the end of the battle, Chaska released Wakefield in the Camp Launch. Wakefield advised Chaska and his awesome friends to stay, reassuring all of them which they will be managed quite. Regarding his safety she told you, “If this had not been getting Chaska my personal bones perform now feel bleaching for the prairie”.
Despite their unique says defending Chaska, made in public places and you will into the ensuing products out of Dakota guys inside regarding the war, Chaska are imprisoned and you may first sentenced becoming hanged.
Immediately following which have his phrase commuted to help you a prison term, Chaska however got one of many 38 hanged inside the Mankato. Discover conflict more whether this is unintentional or meaningful. Stephen Riggs said that the new mistake happened when Chaska’s title is actually titled and then he endured right up as opposed to the suggested guy, Chaskadon. Wakefield debated this time and told you, “I can never ever believe that all-in expert on Mankato had missing what Chaska are condemned getting, i am also yes, during my brain, it was done purposefully.”
From the one point, Standard Sibley referred to Chaska due to the fact Wakefield’s partner
Shortly after his demise, Chaska’s looks is actually quickly buried with the almost every other subjects. It absolutely was following exhumed because of the medical professionals to be used having dissection.
Responses adopting the holding allude toward flurry away from thoughts close this new “scandal” ranging from Chaska and you will Wakefield. During the a letter to help you J. Fletcher Williams, assistant of your Minnesota Historic Community, J. K. Arnold revealed just how he arrived to possession regarding a beneficial noose out of the fresh Mankato hangings.
Gossip regarding their own and you may Chaska’s relationships incited prejudiced viewpoints
Precious “Fletch,” The acknowledgment rec’d “Ok.” Many thanks. On condition that your future fulfilling appear out-of have the quality acknowledging receipt of one’s document be produced on the “7th Routine, Minn Infty thro’ J. K. Arnold Adjutant __.” I fw’d to day the new line, brand new having knot and you may noose exactly as it was removed from out of Chaska’s head. This has not ever been untied, and is, because try taken from his shoulder. We took they. Col. Miller would definitely post everyone (38) to help you Washington, however, I desired this one and this strung Chaska. We got it well their neck hid it not as much as my finish, decided to go to my personal place. Hid it lower than my covers (bed) and you will slept involved before thrill are more to your missing rope, whenever i mailed it house of the Share, as the that i keeps meticulously managed they. “Dated Steph” generated a bad fuss about it questioning just what possess feel from it, the guy __ does not understand even today you to definitely their Adjutant encountered the exact same. Well enough. Believe it, from your friend. And-one-word much more. One question-Relics-Statistics otherwise wh____ you wish I will present. Phone call up on The Buddy (I am hoping) J. K Arnold This can be a photograph away from Lincoln’s Performance Listing, 1862.
