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Information from U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles [database on-line]. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Original data: Data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, Massachusetts
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LATE NEWS ABOUT THE MINNESOTA CAPTIVES AMONG THE INDIANS EFFORTS MADE TO RANSOM THEM The following from the Vermillion, Dakota Territory REPUBLICAN gives the sequel up to Nov 22nd, the date of the paper, of the narrative furnished by Wm G Stewart, of Sioux City (Iowa) in a letter to Governor (Alexander) Ramsey (of MN), concerning the whereabouts of the Minnesota captives now in the hands of the Indians:About the first instant, Mr Galpen, belonging to the American Fur Company, with eleven others, on their way down from the mountains in a Macinaw boat, while some one hundred and fifty miles above Fort Pierre, were fired into by four hundred Santees and compelled to go ashore with their boat, where they were robbed of all their provisions & etc.. and would have been murdered had it not been for Galpen's wife a Yancton Sioux - who told the Indians that if they killed them (the whites), her relations would not stop until they massacred the last one of their party in revenge. There were some twelve hundred lodges in the vicinity in addition to the party seen by Galpen. Among the Indians was found a Miss Price, a young lady about eighteen years old, a daughter of James Price of Illinois. We regret that we were unable to learn anything further concerning the residence of her friends. Mr Galpen ascertained from her that another woman and five children, besides herself were held as prisoners. There were all the captives that she knew of; although there might be others and the fact unknown to her. The Indians said they would exchange the captives for ponies, but refused to sell them for anything else and as Mr Galpen's party had no ponies they were compelled to leave them. The captives were very anxious to be released and Miss Price prayed the men to get her away if possible. Mr Galpen arrived at Fort Randall on the 6th instant and reported the above facts. Preparations were immediately commenced to effect the release of the unfortunate captives. On Sunday evening last, a detachment of thirty of the Sioux City Cavalry under Captain Millard arrived here on their way to Ft Randall and on Thursday morning the detachment of the Dakotah Cavlary under Lieutenant Bacon, which have for some time been in this place, left for the same destination, to join an expedition against the Indians. The expedition will consist of the above named detachment of Sioux City Cavalry, Company A, Dakota Cavalry, and one Company (some reports say two) of the infantry which have been stationed at Fort Randall. They intend going to the spot indicated by Mr Galpen (Galpin?) as occupied by the Indians; and if possible effect the release of the prisoners mentioned and any others whom they may chance to find. Their mission is a noble one. God bless the expedition. The following letter from Mr Stewart gives additional particulars of this exciting story: Sioux City, Iowa, Nov 22, 1862 To His Excellency, Governor Ramsey, St Paul(MN): Dear Sir: Captain Galpin arrived here yesterday on his way to St Louis. He corroborates the information heretofore given you, with the addition, that Little Crow and his band with two women and six children are on the Missouri, one hundred miles above Fort Pierre. On the arrival of Captain Galpin at Fort Randall, he procured a lot of horses and goods and sent some of his traders back to purchase the poor captives and he is of opinion that ere this they have and will bring them to Fort Randall. It was on the 1st instant, that Captain Galpin saw them. I look for Capt Millard to return here on Monday, when he will report to General Pope. If Galpin's men do not succeed in getting them, I hope for humanity's sake, that measures will speedily be taken to capture them and punish the miscreants severely. I am respectfully your obedient servant, Wm G Steward, Quartermaster Sargeant THE WINONA DAILY REPUBLICAN Winona, Minnesota Wednesday, Dec 10, 1862, Page 2 Submitted by Roger Norland |
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