Lieutenant Thomas P. Gere grew up in 1842 inside the Wellsburg, Ny. The guy enrolled on 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Routine within years 19, mustering inside toward January 17, 1862. He had been marketed in order to very first sergeant towards March 5 of these season after which to next lieutenant on the age basic lieutenant and adjutant. He was nineteen yrs old and depending from the Fort Ridgely in the 1862 in the event that You.S.-Dakota Combat bankrupt out. Toward morning regarding August 18, he had been in control at fort whenever Capt. John Marsh left observe on the reports from the Lower Sioux Institution on Dakota attacksmanding 25 soldiers, and caring for a huge selection of horror-ridden refugees fleeing symptoms, Gere Gov. Ramsey and you may Fort Snelling asking for reinforcements. Throwing their troops and some refugees to prepare to have attack, the guy anticipated let. He had been fundamentally registered by Sheehan and his awesome soldiers, along with Indian Broker Galbraith plus the Renville Rangers, additionally the fort stored aside for another 10 months.

Gere later on battled about Civil Battle. He had been granted the fresh Medal from Honor within the 1865 getting their tips at Race off Nashville into the 1864. He mustered outside of the army into the 1865 and you may began work regarding the railway business. The guy died within the 1912 and you will was hidden inside the Arlington Federal Cemetery in the Virginia.

Into the August from 1862, in the very beginning of the You.S.-Dakota Battle, Chaska, otherwise Wechankawastadonpe, an effective Dakota man, and his awesome campanion, Hapan, fulfilled Sarah Wakefield fleeing inside the an acquaintance’s truck about Down Sioux Agencies. Choosing to free Wakefield shortly after Hapan slain Mr. Gleason–the fresh truck proprietor–Chaska took their unique along with her students not as much as their cover regarding six weeks from fights. Moving all of them within the together with his members of the family, he reported he wanted to marry Wakefield to store her safe out of people recognized damage. After the war, Chaska create Wakefield at Camp Launch. Wakefield urged Chaska along with his family members to remain, comforting them which they could be treated very. Regarding his safeguards she said, “If this wasn’t to own Chaska my bones would now be bleaching to your prairie”.

Even after her postorder brud betyder says defending Chaska, made in public places and you may during the ensuing products out-of Dakota men inside it on battle, Chaska was imprisoned and you may initial sentenced to be hanged.

After with his sentence commuted to help you a prison name, Chaska nevertheless got among the many 38 hanged in the Mankato. There can be dispute more if it was unintentional or meaningful. Stephen Riggs asserted that the newest mistake was held when Chaska’s name was titled and he endured upwards as opposed to the implied people, Chaskadon. Wakefield disputed this point and you may told you, “I’m able to never ever accept that all-in power in the Mankato got destroyed just what Chaska was destined to own, and i am yes, in my own attention, it actually was over purposefully.”

At one-point, General Sibley regarded Chaska due to the fact Wakefield’s mate

After their passing, Chaska’s human anatomy is quickly hidden to the other victims. It had been up coming exhumed from the doctors to be used to possess dissection.

Reactions after the hanging allude into the flurry off advice nearby the brand new “scandal” anywhere between Chaska and Wakefield. Inside a page so you can J. Fletcher Williams, secretary of one’s Minnesota Historical Area, J. K. Arnold explained exactly how the guy arrived to possession regarding a beneficial noose out of the latest Mankato hangings.

Gossip throughout the their own and you will Chaska’s relationship incited prejudiced opinions

Beloved “Fletch,” Your receipt rec’d “Okay.” Thanks a lot. Only if your next conference comes off have the resolution taking bill of file be manufactured to your “7th Regiment, Minn Infty thro’ J. K. Arnold Adjutant __.” We fw’d to day the latest line, unique that have knot and you will noose exactly as it actually was taken from regarding Chaska’s lead. It’s never been untied, which can be, whilst is taken from his shoulder. I stole it. Col. Miller was going to publish these (38) to Washington, but I desired this 1 and that hung Chaska. We got it off their neck hid they below my personal coating, went along to my place. Hid it around my covers (bed) and you can slept in it before the adventure was more than with the destroyed rope, when i sent they household from the Share, given that that we has cautiously kept they. “Dated Steph” made an awful play around regarding it wondering exactly what possess become from it, the guy __ does not see to this day one his Adjutant had the same. Good enough. Accept it, out of your buddy. And-one-word significantly more. People situation-Relics-Statistics otherwise wh­­­____ you would like I can present. Phone call on Your own Friend (I’m hoping) J. K Arnold This might be a photo away from Lincoln’s Execution Record, 1862.