Lieutenant Thomas P. Gere grew up in 1842 in Wellsburg, Ny. The guy signed up regarding the fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment within ages 19, mustering when you look at the on the January 17, 1862. He was marketed so you’re able to very first sergeant towards February 5 of the year right after which to help you next lieutenant on the age earliest lieutenant and you will adjutant. He had been nineteen years of age and you can created on Fort Ridgely during the 1862 when the You.S.-Dakota Conflict bankrupt away. Into the morning off August 18, he was responsible within fort when Capt. John Marsh left to see regarding reports coming from the All the way down Sioux Agencies regarding the Dakota attacksmanding 25 soldiers, and you will handling a huge selection of scary-ridden refugees fleeing periods, Gere Gov. Ramsey and you will Fort Snelling asking for reinforcements. Putting their troops and several refugees to prepare to own attack, he awaited help. He was eventually joined by Sheehan with his troops, also Indian Representative Galbraith and Renville Rangers, additionally the unga Salvadorian kvinnor fort kept away for another 10 months.
Gere after fought regarding Municipal Battle. He had been provided the new Medal regarding Prize from inside the 1865 getting his tips at Battle out-of Nashville into the 1864. The guy mustered outside of the military inside the 1865 and you will began really works regarding railway business. The guy passed away inside 1912 and you may was hidden when you look at the Arlington Federal Cemetery inside the Virginia.
From inside the August regarding 1862, in the very beginning of the U.S.-Dakota Conflict, Chaska, otherwise Wechankawastadonpe, a good Dakota people, along with his campanion, Hapan, came across Sarah Wakefield fleeing within the an acquaintance’s truck in the Straight down Sioux Institution. Deciding to spare Wakefield once Hapan slain Mr. Gleason–brand new truck manager–Chaska got their particular along with her students lower than his security on six-weeks away from battles. Swinging all of them when you look at the together with his household members, the guy said the guy wished to wed Wakefield to save their own secure of people imagined spoil. At the end of the battle, Chaska released Wakefield in the Go camping Launch. Wakefield recommended Chaska and his nearest and dearest to remain, reassuring them that they would-be addressed very. From the his safety she said, “If this had not been having Chaska my personal skeleton manage today getting lightening on prairie”.
Despite their particular states safeguarding Chaska, produced in public and you can during the ensuing samples out-of Dakota guys on it in the conflict, Chaska is actually imprisoned and you can first sentenced getting hanged.
Immediately following which have his sentence commuted so you can a jail term, Chaska nonetheless had been among 38 hanged in Mankato. There clearly was conflict more than if or not this is unintentional otherwise purposeful. Stephen Riggs said that the fresh new mistake happened when Chaska’s label are called in which he endured upwards instead of the intended people, Chaskadon. Wakefield disputed this aspect and you may told you, “I can never accept that all in expert from the Mankato had forgotten what Chaska are destined to have, and i am sure, during my brain, it actually was over purposefully.”
During the one-point, Standard Sibley known Chaska once the Wakefield’s companion
After his passing, Chaska’s body is quickly hidden to your almost every other sufferers. It had been following exhumed by the medical professionals for use to possess dissection.
Reactions after the hanging allude to your flurry regarding view close new “scandal” ranging from Chaska and you can Wakefield. Inside a page so you can J. Fletcher Williams, secretary of one’s Minnesota Historical Community, J. K. Arnold revealed just how he came into hands from good noose of this new Mankato hangings.
Hearsay on the her and you will Chaska’s relationships incited prejudiced opinions
Dear “Fletch,” Your bill rec’d “Ok.” Thanks. As long as your future appointment happens from feel the quality taking bill of one’s document be made to your “7th Regiment, Minn Infty thro’ J. K. Arnold Adjutant __.” I fw’d to day brand new rope, new which have knot and noose exactly as it actually was taken from out-of Chaska’s head. It’s never been untied, that’s, whilst is actually extracted from their neck. We took it. Col. Miller was going to posting them (38) so you can Arizona, however, I desired this 1 and this hung Chaska. I grabbed it well his neck hid it significantly less than my personal finish, went along to my area. Hid it below my blankets (bed) and you will slept inside it before excitement are more than into the destroyed line, as i sent it domestic of the Share, as that i has very carefully preserved they. “Old Steph” produced an awful play around regarding it questioning what might have be from it, the guy __ cannot learn even today one their Adjutant met with the exact same. Sufficiently. Believe it, from your buddy. And-one-word a lot more. Any procedure-Relics-Statistics otherwise wh____ you want I could furnish. Name on The Buddy (I am hoping) J. K Arnold This is exactly a photograph out-of Lincoln’s Execution Listing, 1862.