Fort Ripley | Spared & Shared 23

The following letter was written by Albert Gallatin Patten (1831-1893), the son of Johnson Patten (1782-1848) and Lucy Towne (1790-1862) of Kennebunkport, Maine. He was married in Mary 1868 to Martha Elizabeth Hunt in Hennepin, Minnesota.

Prior to his enlistment in the US Army in July 1854, Albert was a 23 year-old carriage-maker in Kennebunk. Albert’s pension files inform us that he served in the military from 1854 to 1859 in Co. K, 2nd Infantry. When he wrote this letter in May 1858, he was a sergeant working on detail in the Quartermaster Department of Fort Ripley in Minnesota Territory. Following his discharge from the army, he may have been the same Albert G. Patten who enlisted as crewman aboard the whaling ship Parachute which departed New Bedford in 1859. He served in the Civil War in Co. C, 1st New Jersey Infantry.

Fort Ripley was located on the west bank of the Mississippi about 20 miles above the mouth of Swan river, and 7 miles south of Crow Wing, at a point where the channel runs southwest. The distance by wagon road from St. Paul was 150 miles. The road lay along the east bank of the Mississippi, with no approach to the fort except by ferry. The Post Reserve was a mile square and was surrounded by a dense forest. The fort was situated on a plateau elevated a little above the river, and consisted of several story and a half buildings constructed of wood, forming three sides of a square, with the open side facing the stream. On the right, looking towards the quadrangle, were the quarters of the officers, the chaplain’s residence, and the sutler’s store; on the left, also quarters for officers, a room set apart for a chapel, and a hospital; while the third side was filled by the barracks for the soldiers. The northwest and southwest corners were flanked by blockhouses of logs, with port-holes commanding the sides of the fort. The houses stood some fifteen to twenty feet apart, so that there was a free entrance between, excepting on the east side where there was a stockade built of logs set on end.

Watercolor painted in 1989 of Ft. Ripley by Minnesota artist Paul S. Kramer (1919-2012). This painting hangs in the Minnesota Military Museum. A larger oil painting of the same scene hangs in Camp Ripley’s post headquarters.

Transcription

Fort Ripley, Minnesota Territory
May 4th 1858

Dear Sister,

Having a little leisure time, I looked over my private letters last received and am ashamed to see how much my indebtedness is in regard to answers. Formerly, when there appeared nothing for me to fill up a sheet, I would put off writing from one mail to another—but have decided now to write if only to assure you of god health, spirits, &c. &c.

As regards my stopping here this summer, it is impossible, as yet, to say. In case of a change, I shall inform some of you at the earliest moment. Your last very kind letter gave me much news and sincerely hope I shall not have to wait long (impatiently) for another. I would visit you this. Spring, but dear sister, my leaving here now would be like taking the driving wheels from an engine, or, in other words, and better adapted, the quartermaster will be absent for a considerable length of time, and the whole responsibility of receiving, storing, &c. &c. of the year’s supplies will, consequently, devolve on me. You may think I have adopted a method of boasting but believe me, I would as soon have charge of some of the larger warehouses in the cities as what I now have here.

Often, (when one and then another, and another comes in and makes a report that a wagon has broken down—a horse lame—an animal of some description is missing—or, perhaps, an order for provisions to be filled up immediately, all these are trying to ones patience) I think of the advice so kindly offered by you in your letter, and hope I may treasure it more than gold.

This, dear sister, is but a poor apology for a letter but be assured there still exists warm affection for you all. Pay my kind wishes to Mr. Hardy, Tell James I shall write him soon. John and family are not forgotten though I think they have me. Now a few lines to Mother and also to my much and well remembered Emma. I will first close your part of this poor sheet by bidding you the usual farewell of your brother, — A. G. Patten

Jr. Master Sergeant, US Army

(Direct plain as usual.)

Dear Mother,

I am am about to commence a few lines to you, though as I said to Lucy, I have nothing more to say than that I still enjoy my usual health and good spirits. I still think, dear Mother, that we are yet to meet again on earth, though if not, I yet believe, as formerly, that there is a far better world for all who seek a right. Do not think I am entirely deaf to such allusions, but I have neither time nor space now to say much if I had it say. About my coming home, the time is quite short to me, and I hope you will keep up good courage for awhile longer and remember me your affectionate son, — A. G. Patten

My dear niece Emma,

I feel at a loss how to thank you enough for your nice little letter. I can hardly think it possible that you could write so good an one, so send me another and then no doubting.

The pretty girls here you alluded to, what, or how, shall I describe them. In the first place they wear no little hats at all, hair sometimes braided, and if cold a warm blanket serves both shawl and hat. Their other wearing apparel it is not best for me to enter into a minute detail until I can see you. I might ass without fear, that their complexion is such tat you would not desire to call one Aunt (being much too dark). I am now getting quite out of the notion of young ladies (except [our] own folks) probably shall settle down somewhere, at sometime, an old squizzled up “Bach.”

Do not forget to give me another trial on letters. I may do better than nonsense in returning you an answer. Be pleased to still remember me as your very affectionate Uncle. — A. G. Patten, Fort Ripley, M. T.

The following letter was written by Andrew Clarkson Dunn (1834-1918), the son of Nathaniel Dunn (1808-1889) and Charlotte Leonard Tillinghast (1798-1838). Andrew’s father was for forty years an eminent educator, being the first principal of the Wilbraham Academy of Massachusetts, and for many years Professor of Chemistry in Rutger Female College in New York city.

Andrew was educated by his father, and commenced reading law at an early age, under the instructions of Edward Sanford, Esq., and also Judge Campbell, of New York city, and for some time taught school at Fordham, New York. In April, 1854, he came to Minnesota, and was admitted to the bar in the autumn of that year, at a term of Territorial Supreme Court held at St. Paul. He practiced his profession for a few months at Sauk Rapids, and then located in St. Paul, where he was in practice for nearly two years.

In the 1860 US Census, Andrew was enumerated in Verona, Faribault county, Minnesota, making a living as a lawyer. He was married on 1 January 1859 to Diana Jane Smith (1836-1913) and they had an 8 months old daughter named Mary born in late 1859. He was living in Winnebago, Faribault county in 1900, enumerated as a 65 year-old lawyer. According to State history, Andrew is credited with having been the founder of the town of Winnebago. He served as Clerk in the House of Representatives (1864-1866) and as a State Representative (1881-1882. His home in Winnebago is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The 1857 Minnesota Territory Census for the County of Faribault. Andrew C. Dunn is enumerated as a 25 year-old White Male, born in New York, and a lawyer by profession. You’ll notice he was also identified as the Assistant Marshall at upper right.

Transcription

*Addressed to Nathaniel Dunn, Esq., No. 74 East 23rd St., New York*

Benton county, Sauk Rapids, M. T.
June 14th 1854

My Dear Father,

I was just lying down here on a lounge in this wild northwest country when the thought struck me that as the ail went out on Friday (day after tomorrow), that I would write you a few lines, thinking doubtless that you would be glad to hear from me. You will see by the above that I am in “Sauk Rapids” now. “S.R.” be it known to you is as yet merely a town in name—a few houses & few people, and the noble Mississippi flowing at our very feet. S. R. is about 100 miles above St. Paul and about 90 above the Falls of St. Anthony by the course of the river, but somewhat nearer by land as the river is very circuitous in its course.

I am now truly in a new country, 90 miles from a doctor, no stores of any consequence, and nothing but log houses with the exception of one. There is, however, and excellent water power formed by the Mississippi falling some 6 feet in a few rods. This water power is what attracted me hither as it is about to be improved, &c. to the amount of $25,000. A hotel, church, &c. built, and fair prospects of a town growing up around. This is also the county seat of Benton county—a rich agricultural county, &c.

I have been at work today at manual labor. I find that I have to take hold with my hands as well as with my profession to succeed in this new country. I am going to help lay out the town here and in return to receive a good building lot worth little now but may be valuable in time. I hope it will. I am in hopes to get some law business to do here, however. Indeed, I have had one suit here already to [ ] before a county justice for which I will receive] 2 or 3 dollars—better than nothing however. I shall have to work here at all kinds of work—harvesting, building, carpenter’s work, &c. I am bound to make it go somehow.

I received a letter from Mary & write her by this mail. I wish you would get a late map of Minnesota and I will write you as I think that which will interest you about my trips over the country. The other day I went up to Fort Ripley, the last post on this frontier. It is about 60 miles further up the river than this place. It is built entirely of logs & only intended to awe the Indians. I am within 2 miles of Indian ground & see plenty of Indians of the Winnebago tribe. They disturb no one unless drunk.

While at Fort Ripley (which is in Chippewa country), I enquired about “Copway.” They say he is not a chief of the Chippewa tribe & they don’t acknowledge him as such. They all know him, however. A war party of 30 canoes & seventy warriors passed here in their canoes this a.m. to take “Sioux” scalps. They will not return without them, I know, as the “Sioux” took four of theirs last week.

There is to be a government payment to the Indians (Winnebagos) four miles above here in the course of a week or two. I shall attend it & will write you an account of the proceedings. I have seen 2,000 Indians together in their lodges at their villages 40 miles below here on the Elk River. They are a dirty, miserable race, take them together. The men won’t do a hand’s turn & make the squaws go after & cut wood & do all the labor. I have see the squaws loaded down with tent equipage &c. and the men with their guns or bows and arrows walking leisurely along & seeing them put to it. What a contrast between civilization and barbarism.

Court sits here next week. I may get something to do then. After I have been here six months, I can get some little offices which will help me o live. I want to get Charley out here as soon as I get well started. If I can afford it, I shall come to New York next summer to try and purchase a few law books. Ask Charley if he has done as I requested relative to law books for me. I need some very bad.

*Early Benton County Maps gave the town’s name as “Watab” but it was later changed to Sauk Rapids.*

Now father, do write me often as I take such pleasure in receiving letters from you. Make them as cheerful as you can as I want encouraging letters so far from home. Tell Mary to get the son, “Do they miss me at home?” & sing it for me. I sing it sometimes here and it makes me sad to think I am so far from home. But all young men that come here do well and I think I can. If you get the map, you will find on it instead of Sauk Rapids “Watab” but it is a late one. You may find Sauk Rapids laid down.

Direct me at Sauk Rapids, Benton county, M. T. Now goodnight, fear father. My love to mother, Lotty, Ginny, and all. Bless them and keep them for me. Write soon. I never have received the letter with the money in it as yet. I fear it is lost.

Your affectionate son, — Andrew C. Dunn

I’m broke to $1.50.