Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Dec 10, 2008 4:51:26 GMT -5
Sgt. George W. Northrup had a Santee/Yankton Sioux Wife, Julia Bruguier and an unborn Daughter, Georgianna Northrup. I find it tragic and ironic that he fought to free slaves and then died killing Sioux. The following is an account of that battle:
GRAVE MARKERS FOR GEORGE W NORTHRUP AND HORATIO AUSTIN
HISTORICAL PLACQUE OF KILLDEER MOUNTAIN
Battle of Killdeer Mountain and the Death of George W. Northrup
Added by YanktonSiouxTribe on 4 Nov 2008
General Alfred Sully, with a force of about 3,000 troops, who were sent to Dakota Territory to punish hostile Sioux, attacked the Indian camp at this point, consisting of Hunkpapa, Sans Arcs, Blackfeet, Miniconjou, Yanktonai and Santee Sioux on July 28, 1864. Sully defeated the Indians, killing many of them and destroying their camp and equipment. He was not able to follow them over the Killdeers and Badlands so returned to his base camp on the Heart River. Sergeant George W. Northrup and Horatio N. Austin were killed during the engagement. Anton Holzgen and David La Plante were killed while on guard duty. Sergeant Isaac Winget was accidentally shot. All soldiers were buried in concealed graves to protect them from depredation. Their exact location is not known.
7 miles north of Killdeer on N.D. 22, then 4 miles west and 1/2 mile north on gravel road. North Dakota
The following is a letter written by Major A. B. Brackett giving his report of the battle and mentioning Sgt. George W. Northrup and how he died in battle.
Headquarters Brackett’s Minnesota Battalion
Camp No. 36
North West Indian Expedition
August 1, 1844.
Captain:
I have the honor to submit the following report of the part I took with my command in the action with hostile Indians on July twenty-eighth, 1864:
I was first ordered to move in column on the right, which I did. Subsequently I received orders to support the line of skirmishers in advance, which I did by bringing companies B and C in line, with companies A and D as support. I moved in that order some three miles when, finding the enemy massing in considerable force and attacking my right, I engaged them with company B dismounted, at the same time asking and receiving permission of you to charge them with sabre. I immediately gave the order to Captain E. Y. Shelley, of company C, to charge them with his company, which orders he executed and followed up in a manner highly creditable to himself and those under him. The charge resulted in the killing of thirteen Indians found on the field, and entirely routing the balance. Finding the enemy forming in large numbers on my left and front I rallied my whole command and found it necessary to dismount them; as I was being severely annoyed from ravines and thickets impracticable for horse. After severe skirmishing, drove the enemy to the base of a high hill, where I met with a strong opposition, they being in strong force on its summit. I finally succeeded in taking possession of the hill, which I held, driving the enemy far beyond. The nature of the ground in front rendering it impracticable to pursue further at the time, I rejoined your command with my battalion.
In the charge Sergeant George W. Northrup, of company C, fell, after receiving eight or ten wounds, one of which pierced him through the heart Horatio Austin, of Company D, was also killed while skirmishing. My loss during the day was two killed and eight wounded. I also lost twenty-two horses, punishing the enemy by killing twenty-seven found dead on the field afterward, besides quite a number that were seen to have been carried off by them.
I take pleasure, General, in saying that my officers and men displayed an amount of courage, coolness, and skill worthy of veterans that they are.
I am, General, with profound respect, yours to command,
A. B. BRACKETT,
Major Commanding Battalion.
Another account:
As an incident of an expedition against the Sioux Indians in Dakota, the troops came upon the Indian Camp on the side of Tahkahokuty mountain about 10 a. m. Sully's command consisted of portions of the 6th and 7th Iowa and 2nd Minnesota, two companies of Dakota and a battalion of Minnesota Cavalry, 8th Minnesota Infantry and three sections of artillery.
The ground being unfavorable for a charge, Sully dismounted and deployed his men advanced and drove the Indians until the plain between the hills and the mountains was reached. At that point the Indians attempted to flank the troops, but well-directed charges drove them off.
About the same time another party of Indians attacked the rear, but were easily driven off by the artillery. Sully estimated the Number of Indians killed and wounded at between 100 and 150, while the troops had 5 killed and 10 wounded.
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 6, p. 865
I have found something about MN Brackett's Cavalry. My Great-Grand Uncle, Henry Davis Straight was attached to CO. C, MN Brackett's Cavalry. He participated in all of the various campaigns during 1864 - 1866.
I have copies [typed written] of Maj. Alfred B. Brackett's Minnesota Battalion Cavalry on Aug. 1, 1864 which describes the action between his unit and the Indians on July 28, 1864 which you state happened at Ta-Ha-Kouty, Dakota Territory. It mentions that Capt. E. Y. Shelley, was in command of Company C and he was ordered to charge, with saber.
The results were "13 Indians found on the field". Soon after the charge all of the men, from all companies were ordered to dismount. After the dust settled the unit counted at least 27 Indians were killed, according to the ones that were found on the field. His units lost a total of 22 horses, 2 men dead and 8 wounded.
Now, according to the report, Maj. Brackett lost two men not one. He lost Horatio N. Austin, of Company D, and he lost Sergeant George W. Northrup of Company C. The official report states that Sergeant George W. Northrup, in charge of Company C, "fell after eight or ten wounds, one of which pierced him through the heart."
My Great-Grand Uncle was a tent mate of Sergeant George Norton [this is Sergeant George W. Northrup of above], and before the battle in which the Sgt. was killed he gave Henry Davis Straight all of his "personal items, pipes, trinkets, etc. He had lived with the Sioux and was convinced he wouldn't come out of the battle alive." After the battle they found the Sergeant's body with "eight arrows and two lances."
My Uncle stated that Sgt George W. Northrup was known as the "Kit Carson of the North".
Submitted by: Walter E. Williams III
GRAVE MARKERS FOR GEORGE W NORTHRUP AND HORATIO AUSTIN
HISTORICAL PLACQUE OF KILLDEER MOUNTAIN
Battle of Killdeer Mountain and the Death of George W. Northrup
Added by YanktonSiouxTribe on 4 Nov 2008
General Alfred Sully, with a force of about 3,000 troops, who were sent to Dakota Territory to punish hostile Sioux, attacked the Indian camp at this point, consisting of Hunkpapa, Sans Arcs, Blackfeet, Miniconjou, Yanktonai and Santee Sioux on July 28, 1864. Sully defeated the Indians, killing many of them and destroying their camp and equipment. He was not able to follow them over the Killdeers and Badlands so returned to his base camp on the Heart River. Sergeant George W. Northrup and Horatio N. Austin were killed during the engagement. Anton Holzgen and David La Plante were killed while on guard duty. Sergeant Isaac Winget was accidentally shot. All soldiers were buried in concealed graves to protect them from depredation. Their exact location is not known.
7 miles north of Killdeer on N.D. 22, then 4 miles west and 1/2 mile north on gravel road. North Dakota
The following is a letter written by Major A. B. Brackett giving his report of the battle and mentioning Sgt. George W. Northrup and how he died in battle.
Headquarters Brackett’s Minnesota Battalion
Camp No. 36
North West Indian Expedition
August 1, 1844.
Captain:
I have the honor to submit the following report of the part I took with my command in the action with hostile Indians on July twenty-eighth, 1864:
I was first ordered to move in column on the right, which I did. Subsequently I received orders to support the line of skirmishers in advance, which I did by bringing companies B and C in line, with companies A and D as support. I moved in that order some three miles when, finding the enemy massing in considerable force and attacking my right, I engaged them with company B dismounted, at the same time asking and receiving permission of you to charge them with sabre. I immediately gave the order to Captain E. Y. Shelley, of company C, to charge them with his company, which orders he executed and followed up in a manner highly creditable to himself and those under him. The charge resulted in the killing of thirteen Indians found on the field, and entirely routing the balance. Finding the enemy forming in large numbers on my left and front I rallied my whole command and found it necessary to dismount them; as I was being severely annoyed from ravines and thickets impracticable for horse. After severe skirmishing, drove the enemy to the base of a high hill, where I met with a strong opposition, they being in strong force on its summit. I finally succeeded in taking possession of the hill, which I held, driving the enemy far beyond. The nature of the ground in front rendering it impracticable to pursue further at the time, I rejoined your command with my battalion.
In the charge Sergeant George W. Northrup, of company C, fell, after receiving eight or ten wounds, one of which pierced him through the heart Horatio Austin, of Company D, was also killed while skirmishing. My loss during the day was two killed and eight wounded. I also lost twenty-two horses, punishing the enemy by killing twenty-seven found dead on the field afterward, besides quite a number that were seen to have been carried off by them.
I take pleasure, General, in saying that my officers and men displayed an amount of courage, coolness, and skill worthy of veterans that they are.
I am, General, with profound respect, yours to command,
A. B. BRACKETT,
Major Commanding Battalion.
Another account:
U. S. Troops under Brigadier General Alfred Sully
Tahkahokuty Mountain, Dakota Indian Territory
July 28, 1864.
Tahkahokuty Mountain, Dakota Indian Territory
July 28, 1864.
As an incident of an expedition against the Sioux Indians in Dakota, the troops came upon the Indian Camp on the side of Tahkahokuty mountain about 10 a. m. Sully's command consisted of portions of the 6th and 7th Iowa and 2nd Minnesota, two companies of Dakota and a battalion of Minnesota Cavalry, 8th Minnesota Infantry and three sections of artillery.
The ground being unfavorable for a charge, Sully dismounted and deployed his men advanced and drove the Indians until the plain between the hills and the mountains was reached. At that point the Indians attempted to flank the troops, but well-directed charges drove them off.
About the same time another party of Indians attacked the rear, but were easily driven off by the artillery. Sully estimated the Number of Indians killed and wounded at between 100 and 150, while the troops had 5 killed and 10 wounded.
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 6, p. 865
I have found something about MN Brackett's Cavalry. My Great-Grand Uncle, Henry Davis Straight was attached to CO. C, MN Brackett's Cavalry. He participated in all of the various campaigns during 1864 - 1866.
I have copies [typed written] of Maj. Alfred B. Brackett's Minnesota Battalion Cavalry on Aug. 1, 1864 which describes the action between his unit and the Indians on July 28, 1864 which you state happened at Ta-Ha-Kouty, Dakota Territory. It mentions that Capt. E. Y. Shelley, was in command of Company C and he was ordered to charge, with saber.
The results were "13 Indians found on the field". Soon after the charge all of the men, from all companies were ordered to dismount. After the dust settled the unit counted at least 27 Indians were killed, according to the ones that were found on the field. His units lost a total of 22 horses, 2 men dead and 8 wounded.
Now, according to the report, Maj. Brackett lost two men not one. He lost Horatio N. Austin, of Company D, and he lost Sergeant George W. Northrup of Company C. The official report states that Sergeant George W. Northrup, in charge of Company C, "fell after eight or ten wounds, one of which pierced him through the heart."
My Great-Grand Uncle was a tent mate of Sergeant George Norton [this is Sergeant George W. Northrup of above], and before the battle in which the Sgt. was killed he gave Henry Davis Straight all of his "personal items, pipes, trinkets, etc. He had lived with the Sioux and was convinced he wouldn't come out of the battle alive." After the battle they found the Sergeant's body with "eight arrows and two lances."
My Uncle stated that Sgt George W. Northrup was known as the "Kit Carson of the North".
Submitted by: Walter E. Williams III