Subject
Dakota Indians -- Wars -- 1862-1865 Books
Best books
Fanny Kelly
Narrative of My Captivity Among the Sioux Indians
"Narrative of My Captivity Among the Sioux Indians" by Fanny Kelly is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The memoir chronicles the author's harrowing experiences after being captured by the Sioux Indians during her journey to Idaho, following a deadly attack on her emigrant party in 1864. Through her narrative, Kelly aims to provide an unembellished insight into the customs of the Sioux and the brutal reality of her captivity. At the start of the narrative, Kelly reflects on her early life in Canada and the family’s journey westward filled with hope and promise. However, this tranquility is abruptly shattered when her small contingent is attacked by Sioux warriors, resulting in the massacre of many and her subsequent capture. Kelly vividly describes the chaos of the attack, her separation from her husband and child, and her initial despair as she struggles to survive amidst overwhelming terror in unknown lands. She introduces readers to her companions, notably a little girl named Mary, highlighting the human emotions and relationships that are impacted by their dire circumstances. The opening sets a poignant tone, illustrating Kelly's resilience in the face of adversity while foreshadowing the traumatic events to come during her months in captivity.
A. J. (Alfred James) Hill
History of Company E of the Sixth Minnesota Regiment of Volunteer Infantry
"History of Company E of the Sixth Minnesota Regiment of Volunteer Infantry" by Alfred J. Hill is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work details the formation, organization, and experiences of Company E during its service in the American Civil War, along with its later activities in campaigns against Native American tribes in Minnesota. The book aims to provide a permanent record of the company's contributions, including a plethora of personal accounts and details about its members. The opening of this account sets the stage by presenting the background of Company E, which was formed in 1862 amid the Civil War, initially as the "Sigel Guards." It outlines the recruitment process, highlighting the various backgrounds of the men who enlisted, many of whom were veterans of previous conflicts in Europe. The narrative begins with the early organizational days at Fort Snelling and evolves into detailing the unit's mobilization amidst the Sioux Uprising, emphasizing the camaraderie and challenges faced by its members as they prepared for active duty, setting a tone of dedication and historical significance.
A. P. (Alonzo P.) Connolly
A Thrilling Narrative of the Minnesota Massacre and the Sioux War of 1862-63 Graphic Accounts of the Siege of Fort Ridgely, Battles of Birch Coolie, Wood Lake, Big Mound, Stony Lake, Dead Buffalo Lake and Missouri River
"A Thrilling Narrative of the Minnesota Massacre and the Sioux War of 1862-63" by A. P. Connolly is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The narrative centers around the events of the Minnesota Massacre and the subsequent Sioux War, detailing the clashes between the Sioux tribes and white settlers during a tumultuous period of American history. The author aims to present a vivid recollection of these historical events from a personal and experiential perspective. At the start of the narrative, Connolly establishes a sense of urgency and excitement that prevailed in Minnesota during the Civil War era, describing the chaos and fear induced by the uprising of the Sioux Indians. He recounts the initial outbreak of violence, including the tragic story of individuals like Charles Nelson, who lost his family to the massacre. The narrative paints a backdrop of desperation as settlers attempted to flee and grasp the reality of the renewed hostilities, setting the stage for the detailed recounting of military engagements and the personal experiences of those involved in the conflicts that followed.
L. (Lavina) Eastlick
Thrilling incidents of the Indian war of 1862 : $b being a personal narrative of the outrages and horrors witnessed by Mrs. L. Eastlick in Minnesota
"Thrilling incidents of the Indian war of 1862 : being a personal narrative of…" by Mrs. L. Eastlick is a first-person historical account written in the mid-19th century. It recounts a Minnesota settler’s ordeal during the Dakota War, focusing on the Lake Shetek attacks, her desperate flight, and the devastation visited on her family and neighbors. The work aims both to bear witness to what she saw and to solicit sympathy and support as she struggles to rebuild after the catastrophe. The opening of the narrative sets out the author’s purpose and need, then follows her family’s westward move to Lake Shetek, early cordial contacts with nearby Dakota, and the sudden eruption of violence. As the settlers attempt to flee together, they are overtaken on the prairie; she is wounded, her husband is killed, and children and neighbors are slain or taken, while she hides and then wanders injured for days. She eventually reconnects with survivors, learns that her son Merton has carried the baby Johnny many miles, and, with the help of a passing mail carrier, reaches an abandoned farm where they hide until a small detachment rescues them and takes them to New Ulm. There she receives hospital care and aid from soldiers and townspeople. The excerpt closes with her efforts to obtain official passes and assistance from state authorities to continue eastward to friends.
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