Lieutenant Thomas P. Gere was born in 1842 during the Wellsburg, Ny. He signed up throughout the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Routine during the years 19, mustering into the to your January 17, 1862. He had been marketed to very first sergeant for the March 5 of these season and then so you’re able to second lieutenant on elizabeth very first lieutenant and you can adjutant. He had been nineteen years old and mainly based within Fort Ridgely inside 1862 in the event that U.S.-Dakota Conflict bankrupt aside. With the early morning out-of August 18, he was responsible within fort when Capt. John Marsh kept observe throughout the account coming from the Down Sioux Company regarding the Dakota attacksmanding twenty five soldiers, and you may looking after countless terror-ridden refugees fleeing attacks, Gere Gov. Ramsey and you can Fort Snelling requesting reinforcements. Putting their soldiers and several refugees to prepare having assault, the guy awaited help. He was eventually registered of the Sheehan and his soldiers, including Indian Broker Galbraith and Renville Rangers, as well as the fort held aside for the next 10 weeks.

Gere later battled throughout the Civil Combat. He was granted the fresh Medal out-of Prize inside the 1865 to own his measures in the Competition regarding Nashville in the 1864. The guy mustered from the military during the 1865 and you can began really works regarding railroad providers. The guy died from inside the 1912 and you may try tucked into the Arlington National Cemetery during the Virginia.

From inside the August away from 1862, in the beginning of the You.S.-Dakota Combat, Chaska, otherwise Wechankawastadonpe, an excellent Dakota people, along with his campanion, Hapan, satisfied Sarah Wakefield fleeing from inside the a keen acquaintance’s truck on the All the way down Sioux Agency. Deciding to spare Wakefield shortly after Hapan slain Mr. Gleason–the newest wagon proprietor–Chaska took their particular and her children not as much as their cover from the six weeks away from fights. Moving all of them into the together with his family, the guy advertised the guy wanted to wed Wakefield to store her secure out of people observed damage. At the conclusion of the battle, Chaska put out Wakefield in the Camp Launch. Wakefield recommended Chaska with his friends to stay, reassuring them that they will be addressed rather. Regarding his security she told you, “In the event it had not been to have Chaska my personal bones would now be bleaching to the prairie”.

Even with her says shielding Chaska, generated in public and you can when you look at the resulting products out-of Dakota dudes involved regarding the war, Chaska try imprisoned and you can very first sentenced getting hanged.

Immediately following having their phrase commuted to a jail identity, Chaska still ended up being one of many 38 hanged into the Mankato. Discover argument over whether it was accidental or purposeful. Stephen Riggs asserted that this new mistake occured when Chaska’s label is actually titled and then he endured right up as opposed to the created guy, Chaskadon. Wakefield debated this time and you can said, “I am able to never ever accept that all-in authority on Mankato had forgotten what Chaska is actually condemned to have, i am also sure, within my mind, it had been over purposefully.”

From the one-point, General Sibley labeled Chaska as the Wakefield’s spouse

Just after his demise, Chaska’s body was quickly hidden on the other victims. It had been up coming exhumed from the doctors to be used for dissection.

Responses following the hanging allude with the flurry away from advice related the latest “scandal” between Chaska and you will Wakefield. When you look at the a letter so you’re able to J. Fletcher Williams, assistant of the Minnesota Historic Area, J. K. Arnold revealed exactly how the guy arrived to fingers away from an excellent noose out of the Mankato hangings.

Rumors throughout the their and you will Chaska’s matchmaking incited prejudiced opinions

Precious “Fletch,” Your receipt rec’d “Ok.” Thank you so much. As long as your upcoming appointment arrives out of feel the solution recognizing acknowledgment of one’s document be manufactured into the “7th Routine, Minn Infty thro’ J. K. Arnold Adjutant __.” We fw’d to day the fresh new rope, amazing having knot and you may noose just as it had been removed from away from Chaska’s lead. It offers not ever been untied, and that is, whilst was taken from his neck. We took it. Col. Miller would upload everyone hetaste armeniska-brudar (38) to Arizona, however, I needed this one and therefore hung Chaska. We took it well their neck hid it around my personal coat, visited my space. Hid it around my blankets (bed) and you will slept on it before thrill is actually more towards the lost line, while i sent they household by the Express, because the that we has actually cautiously preserved they. “Dated Steph” made a terrible fool around about any of it thinking exactly what possess feel from it, he __ does not understand even today one their Adjutant encountered the exact same. Sufficiently. Accept is as true, out of your pal. And-one word a great deal more. Any procedure-Relics-Analytics otherwise wh­­­____ you desire I am able to give. Call on The Buddy (I am hoping) J. K Arnold It is an image of Lincoln’s Performance Listing, 1862.