C. Sibley Expedition
1. Camp Forbes: located on section 33‑146‑63, six miles south of Juanita. Here on July 20, 1863 500 cavalry and 1400 Infantry made camp on their trip across the county. They threw up shallow trenches for protection. It was the custom to make camp early in the afternoon in order to pasture the cattle as well as the hundreds of horses and mules used to haul the supplies and as mounts for the cavalry and officers.
From a diary written by George Brackett, one of the soldiers on the Expedition: (July 20, 1863) "We marched twenty miles through a beautiful country but the lakes were dry and we suffered for water. Late in the day about 125 men from the Red River hunters' camp, an armed band of Chippewa half-breeds, rode in with a man by the name of Wilkie as their leader. They carried the U.S. flag and were accompanied by a priest, named Andre, who acted as interpreter. He had with him a boy ransomed from the Indians, who was captured at Old Crossing above Breckenridge last year, where his parents were murdered. These hunters have their families along with them, and they dry the buffalo meat and make pemmican. Their camp and carts, as well as themselves, are curiosities. They report the Indians twenty or more miles distant and that they will fight for Little Crow and his band."
Dana Wright told the story about the first death in the county which occurred while Sibley and his men were in the area. "One of the soldiers, George E. Brent, went to visit the camp of the Chippewa Indians, enemies of the Sioux, who had a camp three miles west‑ on the west side of the James River. "When the Indians returned to their camp that evening, several of the soldiers went back with them. Evidently there was liquor for one soldier in dismounting from his horse on his return to the soldier camp, caught his riding spur in his carbine and discharged it, the ball passing through his body.
He started back to Camp Atchinson, near Lake Jessie, the permanent camp for Sibley's men, but he died before they had gone but a short distance, dying within the territory that is now Foster County. He was buried near Jessie. "
When they broke up camp the next morning they stopped at the hunters' camp where the soldiers had an opportunity to trade for moccasins, dried meat, and buckskin garments before they proceeded on their journey.
The Camp was named for Captain William H. Forbes. It was the custom of General Sibley to name each camp along the trail for officers in the expedition.
2. Camp Olin: Established July 21, 1863 on Section 33‑145‑64. It is located a mile below where the Kelly Creek comes into the James River. They crossed Kelly Creek on a pontoon bridge‑ not because the water was too deep but the banks were high and by using pontoons the expedition was able to cross in an hour. As bear as can be determined, they made camp about on the spot where the Soo Railroad now crosses the James River just north of Arrowwood Lake‑ but there is no evidence remaining today.
There was no wood available in the area for cooking so they had to use buffalo chips for fuel. Grazing for the stock was good and there was some water. It is recorded that some of the men were uneasy at being camped in a valley surrounded by bluffs that would have made an enemy's approach easy. However, they were not disturbed.
This camp was named for Rolin C. Olin, who was assistant adjutant general on the staff of General Sibley. He was only 22 years of age when he was appointed 2nd Lt. in Company B of the 3rd Minnesota Infantry. He served with his regiment in the Civil War in Tennessee. His regiment was captured by the Confederates on July 19, 1862. The men were paroled and sent back to Minnesota where they were formally exchanged and released. He was promoted to Captain, May 11, 1863, and served on General Sibley's staff through operations to the Missouri that year. He was a very young man to hold the position that he did, but he showed considerable ability.
3. Camp Kimball‑ July 22, 1863 is located at the fork of the Pipestem on Section 16, Longview township. Trenches were thrown up and shallow holes dug to prepare for an attack by Indians. Pickets were posted every night.
From Mr. Brackett's diary:
"We crossed the James River and its branch now known as the Pipestem. Very little water in either stream. Mail today with St. Paul papers to July 11, but there was no word of the great victories won at Gettysburg and Vicksburg some days before."
While at Camp Kimball the Indian scout with Sibley got extremely nervous, sensing the nearness of the Sioux although the Indians had not seen any of the Sioux warriors. It turned out that the Sioux were camped just south of Pettibone.
(Dana Wright)
It was while they were at this camp that some wagons were sent to the Hawksnest for wood for cooking purposes. The cooks did not like using the buffalo chips if at all possible. The teamsters were badly deceived as to the distance and found it nearer five miles than two which they had estimated it to be. There is in Carrington an old cavalry saber which was found a short distance north of this camp site and which was probably lost by one of these cavalry men.'
(Independent, April 2;1925)
John G. Grems of Maryville, Mo. who was a member of the Sibley expedition met F.M. Trullinger of Carrington at a Masonic Lodge meeting. When he found out Mr. Trullinger was from North Dakota they began talking about his experiences while with Sibley. Mr. Trullinger told him about the sword that was dug up on the Kallberg land by John Imler, who was breaking up the land, in 1902. Mr. Grems believed that the sword once belonged to Lt. Beaver.
The true story of the sword has never been known but it laid on the prairie probably 40 or more years and it was over a year after it was found before soaking in kerosene permitted removing the sword from the scabbard. Mr. Trullinger had described the sword as best he could and the old veteran of the expedition felt confident that it was the extra fine sword that had been carried by Lieut. Beaver. (The sword is now in the museum of the Masonic temple at Fargo.) Beaver was ambushed near Apple Creek by the Indians and riddled with arrows. His fine horse was also killed.
Captain William H. Kimball, whose name was used on the camp was assistant quartermaster for Sibley. He had charge of the pontoon train, which was equipped to lay temporary bridges over streams. They had little to do that dry summer. Little is known of the officer's personal history.
That camp now has a marker stating that it is a Historic Site.
Sibley's Return Trip
1. Camp Hall: August 7, 1863‑ Section 24‑145‑66 Melville township near McClain's Lake where the army had stopped earlier to water the animals. Decayed tent pegs and other equipment was found in the area by Dr. McLain, who homesteaded the land.
Brackett's Diary:
"Marched sixteen miles through fine country covered with curled buffalo grass. Sergeant Tuttle shot but not killed by a cavalry picket who suddenly wakened, fired into camp thinking he was firing at an Indian outside."
Camp Hall was named for Thomas G. Hall from Minnesota. He was appointed Captain of Company E., Minnesota 7th Infantry on September 24, 1862. He commanded that organization on the march to the Missouri. He served in the south in the remainder of the Civil War. He left the service on March 30, 1865.
2. Camp Carter: August 8, 1863‑ spot where Kelly Creek joins the Jim River. They stayed here for two days. It is located on Section 2‑145‑64. Rifle pits were found by Mr. Frownfelter, who homesteaded the land. The Chippewas were still in Camp there.
Brackett's Diary:
"Marched to the James River. Fell in with the Red River hunters again. They had secured large amounts of buffalo meat and hides, and had a herd partially guarded to be killed when their present stock of meat and hides were cured. Crossed both branches of the James River. Captured three warriors and twelve squaws and children, going West. They were Minnesota River Indians. One of them was tried and acquitted last fall. They were taken along as prisoners."
"A cold, uncomfortable day. We are only three miles from a large camp of the Red River hunters. This is a fine county for settlers, lacking only wood."
This camp was named for Captain Theo. G. Carter who entered the service as a 1st Lt. with Company K of the 7th Minnesota Infantry on September 2, 1862; promoted to Captain, February 24, 1863 and discharged August 16, 1864.
Brothers on Sibley Expedition
John, Hans, Kristian, Peter and Nels Peterson, five brothers who came from Norway in 1856 settled near Willmar, Minnesota in 1859. They answered Lincoln's call for volunteers by enlisting as privates in Troop D., 1st Minnesota Cavalry, with Sibley who was sent to Dakota.
The brothers in pursuit of the Indians passed through what is now Foster County both in the pursuit and the return to Camp Jessie. August 1, 1863 Sibley broke camp for home. Hence all soldiers had to be moved. Kristian Peterson was sick that morning. The day's march was short. Yet, too much for the sick man.
The common burial of a soldier was a blanket and shallow grave. The Peterson brothers constructed a rude casket from an old wagon box, wrapped the body in a buffalo robe, dug a deep grave, and had a religious rite for the dead brother. The grave was marked with stones. Years later the grave was discovered and a fitting memorial service was held under the auspices of the Cooperstown and Hannaford post of the American Legion in 1929. There are now ancestors of the John Peterson family living in Foster county.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 391