The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1937-04-15
Historical Event Of this Community
Recalled in Wisconsin Newspaper
Commander Of u S. Soldiers Made Head
quarters in Sauk Centre in 1862

centre IN 1907
of square miles of territory were
desolated; 800 men, women and
children killed, and it Is said the
final cost to our government was
$40,OOO,OO0
Going on this expedition was
my fathers first active work after
being promoted to Lieut.. Col. He
had command Of all the troops west
of the Mississippi. Some few were
Minnesota soldiers. His territory
was Is miles long and rs miles
wide. My fathers tent mate was
his very dear friend, Major Jere-
miah Rusk, later Governor Of Wis
consin so many terms.
I am enclosing with this, a
drawing my father sent home of
the winter headquarters camp at
Sank Centre. This ought to be
placed with your other historical
matter. I am also sending another
valuable paper for the collection.
It Is the receipt given by banker
Isaac Hodges for money loaned in
1861 to pay for taking the Platte
vile members Of Co. c. 7th Reg.
to Boscobel when they started out
for the war.
Now for the letters. The first
is dated: Sank Centre, Oct. ~,
and is as follows:
Dear Wife: I have just returned
from inspecting the troops under
my command. I had a pleasant trip
except it was cold and windy. In
Forest City, Paynesville and Rich
mond, and from there here, a dis
lance Of 40 miles from Richmond.
/ have troops at all these places
and also at Mananah and Alex
andria. T expect more soon for
Chippewa and Osaceus. The troops
scout all about the country from
Is to 80 miles in the vicinity of
their camps. They have seen no
Indians as yet.
My trip was through the conn
Try where the Indians had COM
nitted their cepredati3ns' where
they had murdered families, burn
ed houses and done all manner of
mischief. I saw at the hotel in For
est City a little boy of three years
old, and a girl of eight, all that re-
manned of a family of nine chill
dren. Their father and nj ,ther, a
grandmother, an uncle and aunt
were all murdered. The girl that
remained was attending school, at
Forest City; the little boy was
found the second day after shut up
in small room or closet, put there
probably by some one Of the fam
lily in their fright. He had no
clothes on but his shirt. This was
the only house not burned in Ac-
ton. His little sister takes whole
charge of him and won't allow
any one else to do anything for
him.
Some families were all killed; in
other cases just the children and
father; in other homes the wife and
children, and the men left. A num-
Der Of persons were taken prison
ers. Those who lost friends cannot
tell whether they were taken pris-
oners or murdered except where
the bodies have been found.
I don't think there are many In
dams in this vicinity now. I think
they are farther north. But 1t is
necessary to keep troops here so
the inhabitants will stay. Probab.
ly If the troops were not here the
Indians would come back.
The soldiers have their winter
quarters nearly finished at the diff
ferent stations. I would have pre-
ferred going south, it would have
been much pleasanter for me. AS
1t is, the troops are so scattered it
will take a great share of my time
going from one station to another.
But the prospect is that we shall
stay here all winter. The different
companies all seem to like it here
and are getting fat and hearty ex-
cept the measley ones. The Platte
vile boys are all looking remark
ably we'll; all are to work hard fix
ing for winter. sent Co. II to
Mannanah, II miles from Paynes-
vile. The Platteville Co. has most
ly got through with the measles.
They all seem pleased with their
officers. shall be there consider
ably, but my headquarters will be
here as this is more central after
troops are stationed at Chippewa.
I have not heard from the Col.
since he went up the Minnesota
river. The Chaplain went with him
and two Of the Sergeants. The first
assistant came with me. The Ad-
jutant, Major and Quartermaster
he took also. He wanted the Ser
geant Major, but I objected.
I have now a good set of offic-
ers. I appointed Lieut.. Shaw,
Qrartermaster at Paynesville;
Lieut.. Mason here, and Lieut.. Ben
nett at Alexandria. Our surgeon
stops at Paynesville and / appoint.
ed DR.. Palmer, of st. Cloud, sur
geon for this place so we are very
wei, fixed.
You wanted to know all particu-