Camp Release opposite the
the mouth of Chippewa River
1862
The Military Commission met pursuant to the above order
| Present | ||
| Col Brooks | 6th Regt. to M.V. | Members |
| Lt. Col. Marshall | 7th Regt. to M.V. | |
| Capt. Grant | 6th Regt. to M.V. | |
| Capt. Bailey | 6th Regt. to M.V. | |
| Lt. Olin | 3d Regt. to M.V. | Judge Advocate |
| Adjutant Heard | McPhail's Mounted Rangers |
Recorder |
The Military Commission was then duly sworn and Tazoo, alias Ptan-doo-to, a Sioux Indian was arraigned on the following charges and specifications.
viz --
Charge and specification against Tazoo, alias Ptan-doo-to, a Sioux Indian---
- Charge -
- Murder -
Specification - In this that the said Tazoo, alias Ptan-doo-to, Sioux Indian did, on or about the 18th day of August 1862, kill or by his presence or agency aid abet in the killing of Francis Patoille and Mary Anderson, two white citizens of the United States -- This between Fort Ridgely and New Ulm, Minnesota.
- Charge 2nd -
- Rape -
Specification. In this that the said Tazoo, alias Ptan-doo-to, a Sioux Indian did, on or about the 18th day of August 1862, and at various other times between the said 18th day of September 1862, ravish Mattie Williams a white woman and a prisoner in the hands of the Sioux Tribe of Indians.
| By order of Col. H. H. Sibley Witnesses - Comd'g Mil. Expedition |
||
| Mary Swan Mattie Williams |
S.H. Fowler. |
And thereupon in answer thereto the prisoner made the following statement --
I have had sore eyes for two years, and am not able to shoot at anything -- I was camped 8 miles below the Fort this side of the River -- I am a professional juggler and a young girl came to me --
I am not able to hunt any and on this account have been planting --
All the settlers around New Ulm have kept me from starving.
Some young Indians came from town there the morning of the outbreak and told me that the Indian traders at the Lower Agency had been killed. I followed them down towards New Ulm.
On the way down I saw two loads of Indians going towards New Ulm and when I went as far as the Grocery ("Travellers Home") I met 3 wagon loads of Indians coming back --
When they met me they told me to get in and I got in -- I came along with them, and when they got opposite La Framboise house met these ladies (Miss Williams and Miss Swan.)
I heard the Indians say there was a load of white men and women coming down and I jumped off -- I ran towards the others and I heard a shot and saw them running off -- There were 3 ladies running off and others and I told them to stop firing -- that if they killed white women I would kill one of them -- that they should take their prisoners -- Saw 2 indians catch hold of Miss Williams and one hold of Miss Swan -- If it hadn't been for me these young ladies would have been killed -- Ma-zee-bo took Miss Swan by the arm -- he is here: one of the indians who had hold of Miss Williams was killed at the last battle.
The name of the other is Hapan, (the son of Ea-chan-woo-an-we) This is all I know. I was blind and I didn't go anywheres - I know this woman (Miss Williams) If this woman is living now and is about to see her relatives I am the cause of it -- I ravished her -- She was not willing and I desisted. I tried to sleep with her twice, but she was too young -- The negro was in the middle wagon with my party --
And thereupon Mattie Williams, a witness on the part of the prosecution, being before the Commission was duly sworn and testified as follows --
The prisoner committed the crime charged against him upon me. He repeated it -- He was of the party who killed Patville -- He took me and tied my arms when we were taken -- He was engaged with the party in their designs.
He helped to plunder.
Mary Swan, another witness on the part of the prosecution, being in Court and duly sworn, says:
I was one of the party when Patville was killed -- This indian as one of those who attacked us --
And thereupon the Court found the prisoner Commission was cleared and provided both their finding and sentence.
The Military Commission after mature deliberation on the testimony adduced find the prisoner as follows --
Guilty of the specification of the 1st charge
Guilty of the first Charge --
Guilty of the specification of the 2nd charge
Guilty of the 2nd charge -- and do thereupon sentence him the said Tazoo alias Ptan-doo-to to be hanged by the neck until he is dead.
We certify that the foregoing are the minutes of the proceedings and testimony on the annexed charge, under
order No. 55 of Col. H. H. Sibley.
I. V. D. Heard}
Recorder }
[Signed by the five members of the Commission]