Lieutenant Thomas P. Gere was born in 1842 inside the Wellsburg, New york. The guy signed up throughout the 5th Minnesota Voluntary Infantry Regiment in the many years 19, mustering inside the on the January 17, 1862. He had been advertised to help you basic sergeant into the February 5 of this season after which to help you second lieutenant towards the e very first lieutenant and you can adjutant. He was nineteen years old and you can created during the Fort Ridgely during the 1862 in the event the You.S.-Dakota Conflict broke aside. Toward day of August 18, he had been in control from the fort whenever Capt. John Marsh leftover to see in the account from the Down Sioux Agency on Dakota attacksmanding 25 troops, and you may handling numerous horror-ridden refugees fleeing attacks, Gere Gov. Ramsey and Fort Snelling requesting reinforcements. Tossing his soldiers and some refugees to prepare for attack, he awaited assist. He was in the end entered by Sheehan and his awesome troops, along with Indian Broker Galbraith and the Renville Rangers, together with fort stored away for the next 10 days.
Gere after fought throughout the Civil Combat. He had been awarded brand new Medal away from Award within the 1865 to have their tips at the Competition of Nashville into the 1864. The guy mustered out from the military inside 1865 and you can first started really works regarding railway business. The guy passed away within the 1912 and you can is actually buried from inside the Arlington National Cemetery from inside the Virginia.
Into the August out of 1862, in the beginning of the You.S.-Dakota Battle, Chaska, otherwise Wechankawastadonpe, a Dakota man, along with his campanion, Hapan, satisfied Sarah Wakefield fleeing for the an acquaintance’s wagon about Lower Sioux Service. Deciding to free Wakefield once Hapan killed Mr. Gleason–the fresh truck proprietor–Chaska took their and her people less than their safeguards throughout the six-weeks from matches. Moving all of them inside along with his friends, the guy advertised he wanted to marry Wakefield to save their particular secure off people seen damage. After the battle, Chaska create Wakefield from the Go camping Discharge. Wakefield recommended Chaska along with his friends to stay, soothing them which they could well be managed rather. Regarding his coverage she told you, “If this was not to have Chaska my personal skeleton create now getting lightening into the prairie”.
Even with their particular says defending Chaska, produced publicly and you may inside resulting trials of Dakota dudes on it regarding war, Chaska is actually imprisoned and 1st sentenced are hanged.
Once that have his phrase commuted in order to a jail term, Chaska still was one of several 38 hanged into the Mankato. There’s dispute more whether or not this was accidental otherwise meaningful. Stephen Riggs said that the latest error was held whenever Chaska’s title try named and he endured upwards as opposed to the created man, Chaskadon. Wakefield debated this point and you will told you, “I’m able to never ever accept that all in authority from the Mankato had destroyed just what Chaska is actually destined getting, and i am yes, within my mind, it was done purposefully.”
On one-point, Standard Sibley known Chaska as Wakefield’s spouse
Shortly after their demise, Chaska’s body is hastily hidden into almost every other sufferers. It had been upcoming exhumed because of the doctors for usage to have dissection.
Reactions following the hanging allude towards the flurry from opinion encompassing the newest “scandal” ranging from Chaska and you can Wakefield. In a page to help you J. Fletcher Williams, assistant of your own Minnesota Historical People, J. K. Arnold demonstrated just how the guy came into arms off a beneficial noose from the brand new Mankato hangings.
Hearsay regarding the their and you will Chaska’s matchmaking incited prejudiced feedback
Beloved “Fletch,” The acknowledgment rec’d “Okay.” Thank you. As long as your next appointment arrives away from feel the resolution recognizing bill of your document be manufactured to the “7th Regiment, Minn Infty thro’ J. K. Arnold Adjutant __.” We fw’d to day new rope, brand spanking new that have knot and you may noose exactly as it absolutely was taken out of from Chaska’s head. It’s got not ever been untied, that is, whilst is extracted from his neck. We took it. Col. Miller was going to send these (38) to Washington, but I desired this and that hung Chaska. I grabbed it off their shoulder hid it less than my layer, decided to go to my personal room. Hid they around my indier brudar het Indien covers (bed) and you will slept with it until the adventure are more than towards the lost line, once i sent they family by the Express, because which i features meticulously kept they. “Old Steph” generated an awful mess around regarding it curious just what could have feel of it, the guy __ does not learn even today you to his Adjutant had the same. Sufficiently. Accept it as true, from the friend. And-one word more. One material-Relics-Statistics or wh____ you desire I can present. Telephone call abreast of Their Buddy (I’m hoping) J. K Arnold This can be an image out of Lincoln’s Performance List, 1862.