Photo and Information from

Charles Hendricks

Ottawa, Canada

 From Washington Archives:

Regimental Descriptive Book of Co. I, 7th Reg't, Iowa Cavalry:

Charles Wesley Turman [Wes] Enlisted Sept. 26, 1861 at Sioux City Iowa. Age: 25; Height: 6' 21/2"; Complexion: Fair; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Brown; Value of Horse: $70.

In notes from Newspaper Article:

......................he joined General Sully’s army as a Scout, patrolling the bad lands of South Dakota, and was in the battle of Pipestone, Minnesota. [Error. Whitestone Hill Battle; see History]. It was here in this battle that an Indian squaw had been killed and her little papoose was by her side with his arms around her neck. A soldier rode up, whipped out his revolver and killed the little fellow. Just then Wes dropped his rifle on the soldier and would have killed him but for the interference of other soldiers standing by. He was stationed for awhile at Spirit Lake. When the time of his enlistment had expired, the General wanted him to re-enlist but he told the General it was too confining and after some time making up his mind, in 1869 he went west where he spent his time as a prospector, sheriff and scout. He was a man of possessed with considerable native ability. When a bunch of eastern geologists or zoologists would come out studying the formation of the mountains or to hunt fossils, Wes was always hunted up for their guide and frequently would unfold a problem that had puzzled the professors. After being out west for 40 years, he came back to Smithland to live with his brother ‘Tone’ Turman, and passed away a year later. He is buried in Smithland Cemetery.