Fort Sully
Encyclopedia
Fort Sully was one of the main military posts located on the east bank of the Missouri river
in central Dakota built for use in the Indian Wars
. There were two forts named Sully—old Fort Sully, which was in existence and occupied from 1863 to 1866, and the later, or new Fort Sully, which was established in 1866 and was continuously occupied as a military fort until its abandonment in the fall of 1894.
, was built by the orders of Major General Alfred Sully
in September of 1863 and was named for him. It was located about eighty rods from the left (east) bank of the Missouri River, a short distance above the head of Farm Island and about four and one-half miles southeast of the city of Pierre, South Dakota. It was 270 feet (82.3 m) square and was built of cottonwood timber taken from Farm Island.
A portion of the command of General Sully in the campaigns of 1863-4 and 1865 against the Sioux was garrisoned at old Fort Sully. It was abandoned in the fall of 1866 on account of Its unhealthful location on the lowlands of the Missouri.
; three companies of the Sixth and three of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, all under the command of Lieutenant Colonel E. M. Bartlett of the Thirtieth Wisconsin, who, in his order assuming the command, announces that the post is to be known as Fort Sully, "in compliment to our brave commander, Brigadier General Alfred Sully, U. S. Volunteers, now commanding the District of Iowa and Dakota."
Company K., 6th Iowa cavalry, under Captain John Logan spent the ensuing winter at Fort Sully, Dakota territory, and accompanied the command under Gen. Sully, to the Devil's Lake region, in July and August.
Troops in the Department of the Northwest, Maj.-Gen. John Pope
, U. S. Army, Commanding, District of Iowa, Northwestern Indian Expedition under Brig.-Gen. Alfred Sully:
June 30, 1864
Farm Island, Dak. Ter.
Lieut. Col. Edward M. Bartlett.
30th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Companies D and F, Lieut. Col. Edward M. Bartlett.
7th Iowa Cavalry
, Companies K, L, and M, Capt. Bradley Mahana.
Sully's Expedition against hostile Sioux Indians July 25-October 8, 1864. Actions at Tah kah a kuty July 25, 1864. (Cos. K and M). Two Hills, Bad Lands, Little Missouri River, August 8, 1864 (Cos. K and M).
September 1, 1864 General Sully Detached Company G, 6th Iowa Cavalry, as a garrison for the fort.
October 1, 1864.
30th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company D, Captain David C. Fulton
February 28, 1865 April 30, 1865
Fort Sully, Dak. Ter.
6th Iowa Cavalry
(three companies), Maj. Albert E. House.
Art. I. The Yanktonai band of Dakota or Sioux Indians, represented in council, hereby acknowledge themselves to be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction and authority of The United States, and hereby obligate and bind themselves, individually and collectively, not only to cease all hostilities against the persons and property of its citizens, but to use their influence, and, if requisite, physical force, to prevent other bands of Dakota Indians, or other adjacent tribes, from making hostile demonstrations against the Government or people
of The United States.
In 1866 old Fort Sully was temporarily under the command of the Department of the Platte
before being assigned to the Department of Dakota
in the new Division of Missouri.
, was much more suitable and healthful than the old Fort Sully, Indeed it was an ideal spot for a fort for defense. It stood on an elevated plateau about 160 feet (48.8 m) above a wide and beautiful valley of the Missouri. Its site was also about the same elevation above much of the surrounding prairie. This Fort Sully was for many years one of the main military forts in Dakota.
, about the same distance above. The post was about half way between the head of navigation (Fort Benton
) and the mouth of the Missouri, and is 1480 miles (2,381.8 km) above St. Louis. It is built on the "third terrace," a level plateau, 160 feet (48.8 m) above low-water mark, and about the same distance below the summit level proper. On the south the surface slopes rapidly into a deep ravine, dry, except in early spring. On the west the descent is abrupt to the second terrace, a strip one hundred yards wide, on which are the stables, granary, saw-mill, smithy, interpreter's house, tavern, etc. Still further below was the river bottom, of varying width, frequently subject to overflow, moderately well timbered and very fertile. Here the company and hospital gardens are situated.
Latitude 44 degrees, 37 minutes; longitude, 100 degrees, 36 minutes. On the left bank of the Missouri river. Postoffice and telegraph station at post. Nearest town, Springfield, Dakota, 220 miles (354.1 km) distant by wagon road, Yankton, Dakota, (terminus of the Dakota Southern R. R.), distant 262 miles (421.6 km) by land, and 351 by Missouri river; Sioux City, Iowa, 343 miles (552 km) distant by land. 575 miles (925.4 km) by Missouri river.
that this weakened the building too much. There were no wash or bath-rooms. Ablution must be performed out of doors. It was in contemplation to build a piazza for each building. The dormitories were fitted with rough wooden double bunks in two tiers. The privies, ordinary earth latrines, are 75 yards distant. The ventilation of the barracks were very defective. There were three sets of laundresses' quarters, in a large one-story house similar to the officers' quarters.
For officers' quarters there are nine detached frame buildings, built of pine, on brick foundations, with collars underneath. Each set has a back building of one story, as a kitchen. All the rooms are lathed and plastered. Three of the houses are one and a half stories high, and contain each four rooms, a hall, store-room, and pantry. Two cottages are of one story, while two others, of one and a half stories, are divided each into two sets of quarters of four rooms. None of these quarters have bath-rooms. The guard and prison-rooms are in the ends of the barrack building next the sally-port. The prisoners' room is 15 by 15 feet (4.6 m). The quartermaster's store-houses, two in number, measure 230 by 22 feet (6.7 m) and 120 by 24 feet (7.3 m). The
commissary's store-houses, also two in number, measure 228 by 17 feet (5.2 m) and 50 by 22 feet (6.7 m).
The hospital was located near the brink of the ravine, to the south of the post.
In December, 1878, Company A, Eleventh Infantry, changed station from Fort Bennett
(late Cheyenne Agency) to Fort Sully. October 1879 At Fort Sully, D. T., Companies A and K of the Eleventh Infantry.
In December, 1879, the headquarters, band, and Companies G and I, Eleventh Infantry, changed station from Fort Bennett to Fort Sully, D. T.
February 12, 1884, at Fort Sully a fire, originating accidentally in the quarters of Company A, Eleventh Infantry, destroyed the quarters of Company A and the adjoining quarters of the band, Eleventh Infantry, the post guard-house, the store-room, one squad-room, orderly-room, and kitchen of Company E, Eleventh Infantry, and all except one squad-room and the mess-room of Company K, Eleventh Infantry. February 14, Company A was transferred to Fort Bennett, temporarily, for quarters, arriving at the latter post on the same day. Distance traveled, 7 miles (11.3 km).
On October 20, 1894, Major Gageby and Companies B, C, and D of the Twelfth Infantry left Fort Sully enroute to Fort Niobrara, Nebraska leaving Fort Sully abandoned.
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
in central Dakota built for use in the Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
. There were two forts named Sully—old Fort Sully, which was in existence and occupied from 1863 to 1866, and the later, or new Fort Sully, which was established in 1866 and was continuously occupied as a military fort until its abandonment in the fall of 1894.
old Fort Sully
Old Fort Sully 44°20′46"N 100°16′29"W, in present day Hughes CountyHughes County, South Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,481 people, 6,512 households, and 4,310 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile . There were 7,055 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
, was built by the orders of Major General Alfred Sully
Alfred Sully
Alfred Sully , was a military officer during the American Civil War and during the Indian Wars on the frontier. He was also a noted painter.-Biography:...
in September of 1863 and was named for him. It was located about eighty rods from the left (east) bank of the Missouri River, a short distance above the head of Farm Island and about four and one-half miles southeast of the city of Pierre, South Dakota. It was 270 feet (82.3 m) square and was built of cottonwood timber taken from Farm Island.
A portion of the command of General Sully in the campaigns of 1863-4 and 1865 against the Sioux was garrisoned at old Fort Sully. It was abandoned in the fall of 1866 on account of Its unhealthful location on the lowlands of the Missouri.
History
On the 13th day of October it was pronounced ready for a company, and its garrison marched in; headquarters and three companies of the Thirtieth Wisconsin30th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 30th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:...
; three companies of the Sixth and three of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, all under the command of Lieutenant Colonel E. M. Bartlett of the Thirtieth Wisconsin, who, in his order assuming the command, announces that the post is to be known as Fort Sully, "in compliment to our brave commander, Brigadier General Alfred Sully, U. S. Volunteers, now commanding the District of Iowa and Dakota."
Company K., 6th Iowa cavalry, under Captain John Logan spent the ensuing winter at Fort Sully, Dakota territory, and accompanied the command under Gen. Sully, to the Devil's Lake region, in July and August.
Troops in the Department of the Northwest, Maj.-Gen. John Pope
John Pope (military officer)
John Pope was a career United States Army officer and Union general in the American Civil War. He had a brief but successful career in the Western Theater, but he is best known for his defeat at the Second Battle of Bull Run in the East.Pope was a graduate of the United States Military Academy in...
, U. S. Army, Commanding, District of Iowa, Northwestern Indian Expedition under Brig.-Gen. Alfred Sully:
June 30, 1864
Farm Island, Dak. Ter.
Lieut. Col. Edward M. Bartlett.
30th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Companies D and F, Lieut. Col. Edward M. Bartlett.
7th Iowa Cavalry
7th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry
The 7th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry was an cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the Indian Wars.-Service:The 7th Iowa Cavalry was mustered into Federal service at Davenport, Iowa for a three year enlistment between April 27 to July 13, 1863. On September 19, 1863 it was...
, Companies K, L, and M, Capt. Bradley Mahana.
Sully's Expedition against hostile Sioux Indians July 25-October 8, 1864. Actions at Tah kah a kuty July 25, 1864. (Cos. K and M). Two Hills, Bad Lands, Little Missouri River, August 8, 1864 (Cos. K and M).
September 1, 1864 General Sully Detached Company G, 6th Iowa Cavalry, as a garrison for the fort.
October 1, 1864.
30th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company D, Captain David C. Fulton
February 28, 1865 April 30, 1865
Fort Sully, Dak. Ter.
6th Iowa Cavalry
6th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry
The 6th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry was an cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 6th Iowa Cavalry was mustered into Federal service at Davenport, Iowa for a three year enlistment between January 31 to March 5, 1863.The regiment was mustered...
(three companies), Maj. Albert E. House.
Treaty of Fort Sully
Treaty between, the United States of America and the Yanktonai Band of Dakota or Sioux Indians. Concluded at Fort Sully, October 20, 1865.Art. I. The Yanktonai band of Dakota or Sioux Indians, represented in council, hereby acknowledge themselves to be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction and authority of The United States, and hereby obligate and bind themselves, individually and collectively, not only to cease all hostilities against the persons and property of its citizens, but to use their influence, and, if requisite, physical force, to prevent other bands of Dakota Indians, or other adjacent tribes, from making hostile demonstrations against the Government or people
of The United States.
In 1866 old Fort Sully was temporarily under the command of the Department of the Platte
Department of the Platte
The Department of the Platte was a military administrative district established by the U.S. Army on March 5, 1866, with boundaries encompassing Iowa, Nebraska, Dakota Territory, Utah Territory and a small portion of Idaho...
before being assigned to the Department of Dakota
Department of Dakota
A subdivision of the Division of the Missouri, the Department of Dakota was established by the United States Army on August 11, 1866 to encompass all military activities and forts within Minnesota, Dakota Territory and Montana Territory. The Department of Dakota was initially headquartered at Fort...
in the new Division of Missouri.
Fort Sully II
The later, or new Fort Sully, Established July 25, 1866. Its-erection was begun in July, 1866, but it was not completed until 1868. The site of the new fort 44°35′17"N 100°35′24"W, in present day Sully CountySully County, South Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,556 people, 630 households, and 442 families residing in the County. The population density was 2 people per square mile . There were 844 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile...
, was much more suitable and healthful than the old Fort Sully, Indeed it was an ideal spot for a fort for defense. It stood on an elevated plateau about 160 feet (48.8 m) above a wide and beautiful valley of the Missouri. Its site was also about the same elevation above much of the surrounding prairie. This Fort Sully was for many years one of the main military forts in Dakota.
Location
Fort Sully was situated on the east bank of the Missouri River, twenty miles (32 km) below the mouth of Cheyenne River; latitude 44° 30' north, longitude 100° 50' west, at an elevation above the sea of about 2000 feet (609.6 m). The nearest town is Yancton, 300 miles (482.8 km) below by river. The nearest posts are Fort Randall, 200 miles (321.9 km) below, and Fort RiceFort Rice
Fort Rice was a frontier military fort in the 19th century in what was then Dakota Territory and what is now North Dakota....
, about the same distance above. The post was about half way between the head of navigation (Fort Benton
Fort Benton, Montana
Fort Benton is a city in and the county seat of Chouteau County, Montana, United States. A portion of the city was designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 1961. Established a full generation beforethe U.S...
) and the mouth of the Missouri, and is 1480 miles (2,381.8 km) above St. Louis. It is built on the "third terrace," a level plateau, 160 feet (48.8 m) above low-water mark, and about the same distance below the summit level proper. On the south the surface slopes rapidly into a deep ravine, dry, except in early spring. On the west the descent is abrupt to the second terrace, a strip one hundred yards wide, on which are the stables, granary, saw-mill, smithy, interpreter's house, tavern, etc. Still further below was the river bottom, of varying width, frequently subject to overflow, moderately well timbered and very fertile. Here the company and hospital gardens are situated.
Latitude 44 degrees, 37 minutes; longitude, 100 degrees, 36 minutes. On the left bank of the Missouri river. Postoffice and telegraph station at post. Nearest town, Springfield, Dakota, 220 miles (354.1 km) distant by wagon road, Yankton, Dakota, (terminus of the Dakota Southern R. R.), distant 262 miles (421.6 km) by land, and 351 by Missouri river; Sioux City, Iowa, 343 miles (552 km) distant by land. 575 miles (925.4 km) by Missouri river.
Description
The post was intended for four companies. The men's quarters consist of two buildings, each 350 feet (106.7 m) long by 17 feet (5.2 m) wide, placed end to end, with an interval of 15 feet (4.6 m), which forms the sallyport. They are built of cottonwood logs, covered with pine siding, are lathed and plastered, the ceilings being 12 feet (3.7 m) high. Transverse partitions divide the buildings into dormitories, mess-rooms, kitchens, &c. The squad-rooms measure 20 by 17 feet (5.2 m), are intended for 16 men each, allowing about 255 cubic feet (7.2 m³) air space per man. The experiment was tried for one company of removing the partitions and throwing the small rooms into one, but it was thoughtthat this weakened the building too much. There were no wash or bath-rooms. Ablution must be performed out of doors. It was in contemplation to build a piazza for each building. The dormitories were fitted with rough wooden double bunks in two tiers. The privies, ordinary earth latrines, are 75 yards distant. The ventilation of the barracks were very defective. There were three sets of laundresses' quarters, in a large one-story house similar to the officers' quarters.
For officers' quarters there are nine detached frame buildings, built of pine, on brick foundations, with collars underneath. Each set has a back building of one story, as a kitchen. All the rooms are lathed and plastered. Three of the houses are one and a half stories high, and contain each four rooms, a hall, store-room, and pantry. Two cottages are of one story, while two others, of one and a half stories, are divided each into two sets of quarters of four rooms. None of these quarters have bath-rooms. The guard and prison-rooms are in the ends of the barrack building next the sally-port. The prisoners' room is 15 by 15 feet (4.6 m). The quartermaster's store-houses, two in number, measure 230 by 22 feet (6.7 m) and 120 by 24 feet (7.3 m). The
commissary's store-houses, also two in number, measure 228 by 17 feet (5.2 m) and 50 by 22 feet (6.7 m).
The hospital was located near the brink of the ravine, to the south of the post.
11th Infantry
9 years 1879-1887In December, 1878, Company A, Eleventh Infantry, changed station from Fort Bennett
Fort Bennett
Fort Bennett was originally called the Post at Cheyenne River Agency and was established during the Indian wars in the Department of Dakota by the U.S. Army to control the Sioux.-History:...
(late Cheyenne Agency) to Fort Sully. October 1879 At Fort Sully, D. T., Companies A and K of the Eleventh Infantry.
In December, 1879, the headquarters, band, and Companies G and I, Eleventh Infantry, changed station from Fort Bennett to Fort Sully, D. T.
February 12, 1884, at Fort Sully a fire, originating accidentally in the quarters of Company A, Eleventh Infantry, destroyed the quarters of Company A and the adjoining quarters of the band, Eleventh Infantry, the post guard-house, the store-room, one squad-room, orderly-room, and kitchen of Company E, Eleventh Infantry, and all except one squad-room and the mess-room of Company K, Eleventh Infantry. February 14, Company A was transferred to Fort Bennett, temporarily, for quarters, arriving at the latter post on the same day. Distance traveled, 7 miles (11.3 km).
12th Infantry
12 years 1887-1894On October 20, 1894, Major Gageby and Companies B, C, and D of the Twelfth Infantry left Fort Sully enroute to Fort Niobrara, Nebraska leaving Fort Sully abandoned.