Sioux Conflict Depredation Claims

Originally published in the Minnesota Genealogical Journal: 21, March, 1999

Much has been written about the Dakota Conflict of 1862, the skirmishes which preceded it, and its aftermath. Lists of settlers killed and captured, reminiscences of the militia who helped protect the settlers, and first person account from both sides have been published in pamphlets, books, and articles. Some of them were written twenty or thirty or more years after the events took place. With all the accounts, very little has been written about the claims of the settlers for property lost in the Conflict.

The fledgling State of Minnesota, less than five years old, had already sent several regiments to fight in the Civil War. When the Dakota Conflict erupted, the state's militia needed supplies for the troops within the state as well as new stockades. Properly a state expense when the war effort was directed by the state itself, the expenses continued even after the federal government took control of the conflict. Instead of establishing its own process for claims arising from the Conflict, the Minnesota Legislature adopted a memorial to the President of the U.S. praying that Minnesota citizens be reimbursed out of the annuities that would have been paid, had the conflict not occurred. This politically brilliant plan meant that reparations could be made by the federal government, without additional cost or indebtedness to the nation. The loss of annuity payments continued into the 1920s (see The Flandrau Papers: A Treasure Trove for Mixed-Blood Indian Genealogy, published by Park Genealogical Books).

The legislation passed. Three commissioners, Cyrus Aldrich, Albert White and Eli Chase, were appointed to hear the claims. Claimants were required to submit affidavits outlining their property losses, as well as their situation during the conflict. More than 2500 claims were filed, some most likely exaggerated. They hold a great deal of interest for researchers, not only for the first person accounts of the conflict written only a year after the event, but for their itemized descriptions of the losses suffered by the claimants. With them one can visualize the cabins in which the settlers lived, the clothing they wore, the tools they used, and the books they read.

Some files are only a couple of pages, others ten or more. They tell of the deaths of family members and loss of crops. The State Atlas newspaper of 4 November 1863 reports that if the single item of rutabagas destroyed were allowed for all claimant, the amount of damages would run into the tens of thousands of dollars. "By a mathematic demonstration it has been shown that if all the 'Rutas' thus said to have been destroyed were evenly spread over the entire State, the whole surface would be covered to the depth of one foot."

This excerpt is part of the file for Edward Bibeau, a single man with no family.

"Edward Bibeau, the above complainant, being duly sworn says for about 4 years prior and up to the day before the late Indian outbreak he lived at the Lower Sioux Agency, being employed under John Nairn, the government carpenter as an assistant carpenter. Complainant enlisted in the Renville Rangers under charge of Major Galbraith and on departing from the Lower Agency on the 17th Aug '62, left some of his wearing apparel and other property in his room in the Government carpenter shop, putting the key and room in charge of Mr. Nairn. "

Witness states in reply to detailed enquiry by the Commissioners that these articles and their value are fairly and justly scheduled in his bill of particulars ... He returned with Col. Sibley's command a few weeks thereafter and said shop was burned by the Sioux Indians on their approach. Complainant has never recovered any of his said property and has no doubt it was destroyed by fire as aforesaid or plundered by said Indians." Bibeau made his mark and it was witnessed.

Bibeau's property list includes an overcoat, dress coat, summer coat, shirt, flannel shirt, pair of boots, blankets, white shirt with linin bosom, 2 hickory shirts, small shawl, razor and strop, paid of pants, small looking glass, ambrotype, 2 pairs shoe backs, hat, vest, pair of draws, chest, 2 oil stoves, monkey wrench, hand axe, and mosquitoe bar. The added items were a carpet sack attache, and a table.

Other parts to the file include a supporting statement from Nairn, Bibeau's affidavit, and the findings of the Commission. Bibeau received $75 for his claim which totaled $83.75.

The list below contains the names and residences of 500+ of those submitting affidavits, which are in the National Archives, Record Group 75. Some were approved, and some were rejected. We are compiling a list of all claimants, though the affidavits appear to have been lost.

If you would like a copy of any of these claims, Park Genealogical Books can provide it for $10 each, plus standard shipping costs, and applicable sales tax.

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