Depredation Claims

"The Sisseton and Wahpeton bands of Dakota or Sioux Indians acknowledge their dependence on the Government of the United States, and do hereby pledge and bind themselves to preserve friendly relations with the citizens thereof, and to commit no injuries or depredations on their persons or property, nor on those of the members of any other tribe; but in case of any such injury or depredation, full compensation shall, as far as practicable, be made therefor out of their moneys in the hands of the United States, the amount in all cases to be determined by the Secretary of the Interior."

Article 6, Sioux Treaty of 1858 

In the months following the war, a commission took on the overwhelming task of disbursing funds to settlers for their material losses. The same treaties that promised money to the Dakota in exchange for their lands also contained provisions for using these funds instead to compensate for war losses. 

Theme:

1862

Topics:

Aftermath of War Settlers in War
Cite
Admin. "Depredation Claims." https://www3.mnhs.org/usdakotawar/stories/history/aftermath-settlers-aftermath/depredation-claims
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Resources for Further Research

Skogen, Larry C. Indian Depredation Claims, 1796-1920. Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1996.

Glossary Terms

Depredation claim

Key People

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Mary Anderson
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Roseanna Webster
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Mary Anderson

When the war began, Mary Anderson was a housekeeper living near the Lower Sioux Agency with the family of Joseph B. Reynolds. The family was attacked by the Dakota at the Lower Agency. Mary was shot while trying to escape, and died in capitivity a few days later. The Reynold's niece, Mattie Williams, and Mary Schwandt were taken prisoner at the same time. Mary Anderson's depredation claim was filed by the family of Joseph B. Reynolds and is comprised mostly of dresses and clothing, which had been made in preparation for her upcoming wedding.
"I was awake when she died, and she dropped away so gently that I thought she was asleep, until Mattie told me she was dead. . . .  Joseph Campbell, a half-breed, assisted us in having her buried.  Mattie and I saw her carried to the grave by the Indians, wrapped in an old piece of tepee-cloth, and laid in the ground near Little Crow’s house.  She was subsequently disinterred, as I am informed, and buried at the Lower Agency.  A likeness of a young man, to whom she was to have been married, we kept and returned to him; and her own we gave to Mrs. Reynolds, who yet retains it."--Mary Schwandt, recalling Mary Anderson’s death, 1864

View full article: Mary Anderson

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Roseanna Webster


 
"So far as she knows she has no brother or sister living--never having had any children, and is almost alone in the world--that she is the only heir to her husband’s estate."
Roseanna Websters Depredation Claim, 1863
 
In the weeks before the war, Viranus and Roseanna Webster had been living in their wagon near the Baker home in Acton Township, Meeker County, looking for land to purchase. On August 17th, they were at the Baker residence when four young Dakotas opened fire and killed five settlers, including Roseanna’s husband, Viranus. She fled to St. Paul, but had to leave all her belongings in Acton.
 
 
 

View full article: Roseanna Webster

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Roseanna Webster Depredation Claim

Roseanna Webster's depredation claim, 1863. In the weeks before the war, Viranus and Roseanna Webster had been living in their wagon near the Baker home in Acton Township, Meeker County, looking for land to purchase. On August 17th, they were at the Baker residence when four young Dakotas opened fire and killed five settlers, including Roseanna’s husband, Viranus. She fled to St. Paul, but had to leave all her belongings in Acton.

So far as she knows she has no brother or sister living--never having had any children, and is almost alone in the world--that she is the only heir to her husband’s estate.

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Mary Anderson's Depredation Claim

When the war began, Mary Anderson was a housekeeper living near the Lower Agency with the family of Joseph B. Reynolds. The family was attacked by the Dakota at the Lower Agency. Mary was shot while trying to escape, and died in captivity a few days later. The Reynolds’ niece, Mattie Williams, and Mary Schwandt (whose story is told earlier in this exhibit) were taken prisoner at the same time. Mary Anderson’s depredation claim was filed by the family of Joseph B. Reynolds and is comprised mostly of dresses and clothing, which had been made in preparation for her upcoming wedding.

I was awake when she died, and she dropped away so gently that I thought she was asleep, until Mattie told me she was dead. . . . Joseph Campbell, a half-breed, assisted us in having her buried. Mattie and I saw her carried to the grave by the Indians, wrapped in an old piece of tepee-cloth, and laid in the ground near Little Crow’s house. She was subsequently disinterred, as I am informed, and buried at the Lower Agency. A likeness of a young man, to whom she was to have been married, we kept and returned to him; and her own we gave to Mrs. Reynolds, who yet retains it. --Mary Schwandt, recalling Mary Anderson’s death (1864)

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Galbraith's Letter about L. Provencalle

Louisa Provencalle was a French-Canadian woman who was married to a French-Dakota man. She was taken captive in the first days of the war, and was ultimately released on September 26. Her husband was imprisoned and when she filed the claim in the spring of 1863, she had no idea of his whereabouts. In an attempt to secure a claim, Louisa argued that all lost property had been hers and hers alone.

That she was the owner and in possession of the following personal property--the same being her separate property--purchased by her and with her own means and labor.

Her initial claim was denied on the basis of her being mistaken as a Dakota. However, Thomas Galbraith and Henry H. Sibley both testified on her behalf and she ultimately received compensation.