A Thrilling Narrative of Indian Captivity: Dispatches from the Dakota War

Appendix A: Correspondence between the Dakota Camps and Authorities ,September–October 1862

199 APPENDIX A Correspondence between the Dakota Camps and Authorities, September–October 1862 Paul Mazakutemani to Alexander Ramsey, 2 September 18621 Hazelwood, September 2d, 1862. Gov. Ramsey: Your Excellency has probably heard ere this of the terrible massacre committed by the Indians Aug. 18th, and continuing up to this date. As it is difficult to give correct information from a distance, I will give you a statement of all the facts I have been able to glean from the Chiefs concerned. Little Crow has been one of the most active and cruel. The others wished to put off the work of death till payment and see how matters stood with government [sic], but Little Crow, to use his own language, held several councils long before the 18th in order to hurry the other bands. On the 17th, four men of Shakopee band went to the Big Woods, killed some white men, and stole some horses. The next A.m., they went to Little Crow and told their crimes. Now, says he, you have commenced, let us strike the fatal blow, and rid the country of the whites, taking possession of all goods, cattle, and provisions, and become the rightful owners of our lands again. And as far as I am able to learn they have fulfilled their purpose in the most outrageous manner. Previous to commencing on Monday, a messenger was despatched [sic] to Yellow Medicine and Red Iron Village, but not one word did the Bands about the Mission know till the slaughter commenced. We tried to aid the Missionaries in their escape. 200 Appendix A Lacquiparle people kept quiet for some days, then went to Big Stone Lake, and joined with the few in killing the small number of defenceless whites there. The most of the Indians were away on a hunt. The reason the Chiefs gave me was that payment was delayed and the traders would not trust them, but told them to leave their stores, and go eat grass like the oxen, that they were a lazy set and would have to starve if they did not. (Little Crow is a wicked, crafty deceiver.) These things he said, made them very angry, and after they had killed the trader named, they stamped his head in the dust till it was as fine as powder. He farther [sic] stated that the trader told them they could not fight, and that he could chew them all up as fine as dust. I do not think that many blamed our Hon. Agent, only his volunteering about that time caused them to believe he did not intend making any payment, and rather exasperated them. He is, we believe, an honest man, and has always given us good advice; encouraging us to labor, and assisting us in all possible ways, so we think. We fear our Great Father at Washington has not realized the danger of leaving his people exposed to our savage tribes, and so has failed to furnish sufficient troops to protect them, or the civilized Christian Indians; for I think there is quite a difference between a Christian Indian and one that merely changes his costume and customs a little without changing his motives of moral action. I have held two councils, and tried by all the persuasions in my power to have the Rebels liberate the captives, willing to lose my own life, if by so doing I could send these poor suffering captives safe to St. Paul. I have succeeded in getting one family and shall persevere until the end. But, my Father, we are all captives; a small band of Christians surrounded by our persecuting neighbors, and whither, oh whither, shall we flee? Our trust is in God, and we hope He will put it into your heart, our Father, to tell us what we shall do. Think of it, our Father, and don’t let our wives and our little ones starve, or, what is worse, 201 Appendix A move on to Red River with our savage foes and perish for lack of food for both soul and body. I am a friend to the whites, to civilization, and christianity [sic]. Yours Respectfully, Paul, or Muza-Ka-te-ma-ne. Simon [Anawaŋgmani] and Lorenzo [Lawrence] to Alexander Ramsey, ca. 2 September 18622 Gov. Ramsey: Dear Sir—If you will allow us to address you thus familiarly, for the name of a...