FamilyHistoryFiles.com - Civil War Pension File of William F. Schroeder

Our grandfather William Schroeder entered the Union Army by accepting a bounty of several hundred dollars to take another man's place. That, at any rate, is what Tom remembers R.G. saying, and it's very likely true. For many Civil War soldiers, the bloodiest conflict in the young nation's history came to be seen as "a rich man's war and a poor man's fight" -- a perception rooted in the practice, common in both North and South, of wealthy men paying poorer men to serve as their substitutes.

William Schroeder enrolled into Company D of the 5th Regiment of the Minnesota Infantry Volunteers on March 5, 1862 -- remarkably, the same regiment and same company as Bailey T. Baldwin, even though their families did not connect until after World War II. William and Bailey certainly became acquainted. They enlisted within a month of each other, serving together for some ten months in the original Company D contingent of 86 enlisted men. They trained together at Fort Snelling (Feb-March 1862) and were stationed together at Fort Abercrombie (April-Dec 1862). They never fought together, because neither saw any military action. Yet both suffered severe injuries as a direct result of their wartime service, and both were discharged for disability. The parallels, and coincidences, are striking (see Analysis of Company D). (Fort Snelling, MN, Harper's Weekly, Sept. 28, 1861, a few months before Bailey and Wilhelm enlisted and trained there)

After serving briefly in the same company, William and Bailey parted ways. Eighty-four years later, in 1946, William's grandson Harry Jr. chanced to meet Bailey's great-great-great granddaughter Betty: our parents. Their meeting had nothing to do with William & Bailey's service in Company D. It is an extraordinary coincidence.

In early April 1862, William, Bailey, and the other 84 enlisted men of Company D were sent to Fort Abercrombie on the Red River on the Minnesota-Dakota frontier. As luck would have it, a few months later the Dakota Indians rose in rebellion all across the vast Minnesota-Dakota plains.

The causes of the Great Sioux Uprising of 1862 were complex, rooted in years of accumulated grievances against the depredations and violence of white people. But now, with white people divided and fighting amongst themselves (in the Civil War), and with so many white men heading south to fight the Confederacy, many younger and more radical Dakota leaders reasoned that the time was ripe -- that there would never be a better opportunity to fight back, to expel the whites, and to regain their lost lands -- and the uprising was on. (Illustration: Fort Abercrombie in the 1860s, from the State Historical Society of North Dakota, www.state.nd.us/HIST/abercrombie/abercrombie2.html)

Fort Abercrombie, strategically located on the west bank of the Red River in the northern Dakota-Minnesota plains, became one of the Indians' main targets. On September 3, a few days after staging a small raid on the fort, upwards of 400 mounted Dakota warriors launched a full-scale assault. After a battle lasting most of the day, the assailants were beaten back by rifle and cannon fire, including three twelve-pound howitzers that proved crucial in repelling the attack. (Map of Fort Abercrombie from the website of the State Historical Society of North Dakota)

"Another howitzer was placed in a log house to protect the north and east sides of the garrison," according to the narrative of General L. F. Hubbard, at the time a captain at the fort. "A third howitzer was placed near the men's quarters." It was probably the vibrations of the third howitzer's repeated firing that caused a 4x4 rafter to become dislodged from the porch roof of one of the barracks -- and to fall squarely onto William Schroeder's head. (Photo of the "bastion" at reconstructed Fort Abercrombie, North Dakota, from the website of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Hubbard quote from Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, 1861-1865 [1890], p. 256)

In other words, on the day of the big Sioux Indian assault on Fort Abercrombie, William suffered a substantial injury -- not by gunshot or arrow or knife-wound, but by getting conked on the head by a falling timber.

After repelling the assault, the soldiers of the Minnesota Fifth Infantry, William Schroeder and his injured head among them, headed south along the Mississippi River, eventually reaching Germantown, Tennessee. It was there, in the spring of 1863, that William became violently ill with diarrhea, inflammation of the lungs, and rheumatism. These ailments, he later claimed, were caused by being out on picket duty during a drenching rainstorm and billeting in the cold and wet. The official history of the Regiment confirms that in early 1863 the Fifth "endured great hardship at times, being exposed to severe weather, with scanty protection from the cold and sometimes scantier rations." (Photo: Union Army Camp near Chattanooga on the Tennessee River, ca. 1864, Library of Congress. Quote: Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, p. 264)

Bad as it got for them, both William and Bailey missed the worst of it. In April and May, soon after William was hospitalized, the Fifth was ordered to dig a canal from the Mississippi River to an interior bayou to facilitate the assault on Vicksburg. "The men regarded this the most menial . . . and unprofitable service they were called upon to perform during the war. Standing in the water up to one's knees and delving into the mud with a spade, was to their minds . . . . a mighty poor way to crush the Rebellion." This while Wilhelm and Bailey lay in hospitals 1,000 miles apart. (Quote: Minnesota in the Civil and Indian

Wars, p. 265. Photo: www.ibiblio.org)

William spent the rest of the war in the hospital. He later claimed that his wartime injuries -- the 4x4 rafter falling on his head in September 1862 at Fort Abercrombie, and the thorough drenching he received along the banks of the Mississippi River in the winter of '63 -- rendered him "totally disabled."

In this he was following a common pattern -- trying to get a disability pension from the federal government for injuries received during the war. It is a pattern we see repeated three times in these pages -- not only by William Schroeder but by Frank Lang with his inguinal hernia, and by Bailey T. Baldwin with his partial blindness, inguinal hernia, rheumatism, and other ailments.

All three claimed that their injuries resulted directly from their war service, thus entitling them to disability pensions. In all three cases, one can legitimately question the extent to which their war service actually did render them disabled. And in all three cases, one can scarcely blame them for trying.

What insights can we glean from these documents on the life and times of William Schroeder? For one, they help us to picture him: small of stature, only 5 feet 2 inches tall, with blue eyes, light hair, and a light complexion. We see in these documents a weak, frail man suffering a variety of ailments, all chronic: rheumatism, stiff muscles and joints, partial deafness, and frequent bouts of "dizziness in the head."

As he testified in 1889, in response to a question on why he had not sought medical attention for his ailments,

His doctor, neighbors, and employer amply confirmed the bad state of his health, especially from the 1880s.

The overall impression one gleans from these documents is that William Schroeder was simply not the "army type" -- that he was appalled by the physical rigors and dangers of army life: not only Indian attacks and whizzing arrows and bullets, but forced marches in full gear and being constantly dirty, smelly, cold, wet, and miserable. The soldier's life was simply not for him. Of delicate constitution, with soft hands and accustomed to life's basic creature comforts (a warm bed, warm meals, dry clothes, adequate sleep), he probably regretted joining the army the day after he enlisted. Especially in light of the high casualty rate his company suffered, and his reckonings of the likelihood of his coming out of the experience alive, he probably did everything he could to get the hell out, as quickly as he could, and by whatever means possible. (Our symbol for William Schroeder, from a source for which we've lost the citation)

And indeed, his company suffered a very high casualty rate, even by Civil War standards. As shown in the Analysis of Company D, of the company's original contingent of 86 enlisted men, 29 were killed and 26 wounded or transferred to the Invalid Corps -- a casualty rate of 64%, or nearly two-thirds. Only 24 of 86 men (28%, excluding deserters) came out of the war neither dead nor injured. In other words, William Schroeder had about one chance in three of coming out of the war alive and with body intact. Given his physical frailties, the odds for him were probably even worse. No wonder he did everything he could to get into the hospital and stay there.

In addition to the pension file are a number of supplementary documents on these topics, including

Affidavit of William Schroeder re Disabilities

9 February 1882

State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey

9 February 1882, personally appeared before clerk of District Court William Schroeder, age 50, resident of the City of St. Paul, County of Ramsey, State of Minnesota, enrolled on 5 March 1862 as a Private in Company D of the 5th Regiment of the Minnesota Infantry Volunteers, commanded by Capt. VanderHorck, and was honorably discharged at Burnside Barracks, Indianapolis, Indiana, on 14 March 1865.

Personal description: age 50 years; height 5 feet 2 inches; complexion light, hair grey, eyes blue.

That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of duty at Germantown in the State of Tennessee on or about March 1863 he was taken sick and sent to Hospital at Memphis Tenn. Claimant knows that he was in "Ward B" and believes it was the Jackson Hospital. Was sent to Hospital at St. Louis MO, name of Hospital unknown but it was near Benton Barracks. Remained in said Hospital until transferred to the Invalid Corps (Co. F, 5th V.R.C.) from "G.O. No. 296 dated War Dept A.Y.O. Sept 3rd, 1863." Claimant further says that he was first attacked with diarrhea and some disease of the lungs which caused him intense pain and that he suffered with rheumatism during all the remainder of his service. Further claimant says that he is so seriously disabled with rheumatism now that he is sometimes unable to dress himself without assistance.

Since leaving the service, applicant has resided in City of St. Paul in the State of Minnesota , and his occupation has been that of a tailor. That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound physical health, being when enrolled a Tailor. That his is now wholly disabled . . .

/s/ William Schroeder

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Affidavit of William Schroeder re Disabilities

8 September 1888

State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey

8 Sept 1888, before Clerk of District Court appeared William Schroeder, age 56 . . . That while in the service and in the line of duty at Germantown in the State of Tennessee on or about Feb'y 1863 he contracted chronic diarrhea by which he was more or less disabled continuously thereafter. He had been out on picket and was thoroughly wet, and being exposed to cold and wet afterwards brought on an attack of rheumatism and inflammation of the lungs which soon became chronic. He did but little duty after the first attack of diarrhea, being under treatment by Reg. Surg. and in hospital transferred to V.R.C. Sept 3, 1863.

That he was treated in hospitals as follows: Jackson G. H. Memphis Tenn about 3 mos. from Mar 1863. Benton Barracks, Mo. until trans. to V.R.C. . . .

That he has not been employed in the military or naval service of the United States since the 14 day of March 1865. That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in St. Paul, Ramsey Co, Minnesota and that his occupation has been that of a Tailor. . . . That he is now Totally disabled

Residence: 632 Linden, St Paul, Minn.

/s/ William Schroeder

/s/ witnesses [?] and J Linkenheimer

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Affidavit of William Schroeder re Disability Pension

18 July 1889

State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey

18 July 1889, before Deputy Clerk of the District Court, William Schroeder, age 57, enrolled as private on 5th of March 1862 in Co D of the 5th Minn Inf Vols. and transferred Sept 3, 1863 to Co F, 5th Reg't, Veteran Reserve Corps, commanded by Capt. Chas. Banzhaf, honorably discharged Indianapolis IN on 14 March 1865.

Personal description: age 30 years, 5 feet 2 inches tall, light complexion, light hair, blue eyes. That while a member of aforesaid organization at Fort Abercrombie in State of Minnesota on or about 3 Sept 1862 he was injured in the head by a rafter on the porch, supporting the roof on which some blankets were hung, falling upon his head and he was knocked senseless and has suffered from dizziness in the head and deafness produced by the same ever since. That in the latter part of March 1863, while camped on the banks of the Mississippi River, in the State of Mississippi, near Helena, Arkansas, he was taken sick with rheumatism, caused by the camp being overflown with water, so that their bunks had to be on stakes over the water. When his regiment was ordered to Vicksburg he was sent with others to the Jackson Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. under charge of Dr. Vervais, Regimental Assistant Surgeon, was there about two and a half months when he was transferred to the Hospital at St. Louis Mo. which was about June 1863, was there until Sept. 3d, 1863, when he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps.

That he was treated in hospitals as follows: in the Jackson Hospital, Memphis, Tenn and St. Louis Hospital, Mo.

That he has not been in the military service of the United States since the 14th day of March 1865. That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the City of St Paul in the State of Minnesota and that his occupation has been that of a Tailor. That prior to his entry into the service above-named he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being when enrolled a Tailor. That he is now one half disabled . . .

He hereby appoints as his attorney John C. Starkweather, Washington D. C.   That he has never received but has applied for a pension which claim was rejected - all the papers filed in which for [--- illegible]

That his residence is No. 632 Linden Street, St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota . . .

/s/ William Schroeder

/s/ William Vayhinger, witness    /s/ Edward Taylor, witness

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History of Claimant's Disability

3 August 1889

State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey

In the matter of the original invalid pension claim No. William Schroeder, private, Co. "D" 5th Reg't Minn. Inf. Vols. & Co. "F" 5th Reg't Vet. Reserve Corps on this Third day of August A.D. 1889 personally appeared before me, Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths.]

William Schroeder aged 57 years, a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Since my discharge from said service on the 14th day of March 1865 I have resided in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota and have lived there ever since, and that my occupation has been that of a Tailor.

I further state that the disability for which a pension is claimed from dizziness in the head, Deafness, and Rheumatism which was contracted as follows -- I was injured in the head by being struck with a falling rafter at Fort Abercrombie, Minn, about Sept. 3d 1862, when I was knocked senseless & have suffered with dizziness in the head, and deafness produced by the same ever since. Then in the latter part of March, 1863, while camped on the banks of the Mississippi River, I was taken sick with Rheumatism caused by the camp being overflowed with water, so that our bunks had to be set on stakes over the water, then our Regiment was ordered to Vicksburg; I was sent to the Jackson Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., under charge of Asst. Regt'l Surgeon Vervais, was there about two and an half months & then sent to St. Louis Hospital, MO, which was about June 1863, was there until Sept. 3d, 1863, when I was transferred to the Invalid Corps.

I have not received the medical attention of a physician from the fact or for the reason that the doctors told me they could do me no good. Though I treated myself with medicines purchased at the drug store and having my neighbors rub me. I can only do a quarter day's work – in other words, before I went into the army I could do four times as much work as now. I am laid up so bad with rheumatism that I cannot do anything at all.

/s/ William Schroeder

witnesses: /s/ Wm Veryhinger, Pabich LeDGenre

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Proof of Disability, Affidavit of Fellow Soldiers Anthony Hoeingschmidt and Louis Carle

27 August 1889

State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey

27 Aug 1889, appeared before the Deputy Clerk of the District Court: Anthony Hoeingschmidt, age 66, resident of St. Paul, and Louis Carle, age 52, also resident of St. Paul.

They are acquainted with William Schroeder, private, Co D, Fifth Reg't of MN Infantry Vols, discharged Indianapolis 14 March 1865.

That the said William Schroeder, while in the line of his duty, at or near Fort Abercrombie in Dakota Territory, did, on or about the 3rd day of September 1862, become disabled in the following manner:

He was injured in the head by an oak rafter (4x4) on the porch of the company's quarters which supported the roof, falling on his head and he was knocked senseless and carried to his quarters and he has suffered from deafness and dizziness in the head produced by the above accident ever since. About March 1863, while camped on the banks of the Mississippi River in Miss. he was taken sick with rheumatism caused by the banks being overflowed with water, so that our bunks had to set upon stakes over the water. When our Regiment was ordered to Vicksburg, he was sent to a Memphis Hospital with others under charge of our Regimental Surgeon.

That the facts stated are personally known to the affiants by reason of our both being corporals in the same company with comrade Schroeder and being with the command at the time the above facts occurred to which we have stated & is derived from our own personal knowledge.

Have known claimant for 27 years; served in same company . . .

/s/ Louis Carle, #460 St. Peter Street, St. Paul MN

/s/ Anton Hoenschmidt, #389 Colborn Street, St. Paul MN

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Affidavit of Neighbors Frances M. Gembe and Leopold Hauser

2 September 1889

State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey

In the matter of Original Invalid Pension Claim of William Schroeder, private, Co "D" 5th Minn Inf and Co "F" Vet Res Corps, on this Second day of September 1889, before Deputy Clerk of the District Court, Francis M. Gembe, age 61, resident of 558 Broadway, St Paul MN, and Leopold Hauser, age 53, resident of 554 Sibley Street, St Paul MN

They are neighbors of the above named William Schroeder and have known him for at least twenty-five (25) years, and at the time of his muster out of service in 1865, he was suffering from rheumatism, deafness, and dizziness in the head and he still continues to suffer from the same complaints at the present time, which has continued and existed from the date of his muster out, and that their knowledge of the above facts are gained from almost daily personal observation and association with the aforesaid Schroeder and from hearing his complaints.

[They further declare that they have no interest in said case, etc.]

/s/ Francis M. Gembe /s/ Leopold Hauser

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Declaration for Invalid Pension re Act of June 27, 1890

9 July 1890

State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey

9 July 1890, personally appeared before the Clerk of the District Court William Schroeder, age 58, resident of City of St Paul, County of Ramsey, State of Minnesota, enrolled on 5 March 1862 as Private in Co D of 5th regiment of Minnesota Infantry, commanded by Capt. Chas. Banzhaf, honorably discharged at Indianapolis, IN on 14 March 1865, at age 30, height 5 feet 2 inches, light complexion, light hair, blue eyes.

That while on duty at Fort Abercrombie in State of MN on 3 Sept 1862, he was injured in the head by a rafter which supported the roof of the porch of the barracks, falling upon his head which knocked him senseless and he has suffered from dizziness in the head and deafness produced by the same ever since. And while camped on the banks of the Mississippi River in the State of Mississippi in March 1863, he was taken sick with rheumatism caused by the camp being overflowed with water, and he has suffered with rheumatism ever since that date to the present time, and he is now suffering from dizziness in the head, deafness & rheumatism. That he served in the war of the rebellion at least ninety days. That he is totally unable to earn a support by reason of the above named disabilities. That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief permanent. That he has applied for pension under application No. 440673. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890.

Since the war has resided in City of St Paul MN and occupation has been that of a Tailor. That he is now totally disabled. He hereby appoints Charles J. Stees of St Paul, Minnesota [as his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim. That he has never received but has applied for a pension. That his Post Office Address is] #632 Linden Street, St Paul, County of Ramsey, State of Minnesota.

/s/ William Schroeder

Attest: /s/ C H Schroillgar [?], /s/ D A Lucas [?]

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General Affidavit of Workmate Olaf Seaquist and Employer John Sandell

4 May 1891

State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey

In the matter of Invalid Pension Claim No 440,673 of William Schroeder, late private Co D, 5th Reg't, Minnesota Infantry & Co F, 5th Reg't V.R. Corps. On this 4th day of May 1891, before me a Notary Public, appeared John Sandell, age 40, resident of St. Paul MN, and Olaf Seaquist, age 34, resident of St. Paul MN. Being duly sworn they declare:

That they have known and been acquainted with the above-named claimant William Schroeder for eight years – that he was a fellow workman in the same shop with them – that he suffered greatly from rheumatism, deafness, and dizziness in the head, and he still continues to suffer from the same complaints, so much so and to such an extent that he is unable to work at his trade, which is tailor, for weeks at a time, and that he is unable to support himself and is dependent on his daughters' labor for support.

These facts we know from personal knowledge and almost daily observation and association. And affiants further state that on account of his infirmities he would not be retained as a workman by his employer because of the imperfect manner of his work and it taking so long to complete his work, but he is retained from consideration of having been in employ at his present place for eight years and his employer does not like to discharge him on that account. Affiants further state that on account of his disabilities and infirmities he could not obtain employment elsewhere -- and affiant John Sandell further states that he is and has been an employer of William Schroeder the above named claimant for the last eight years.

[They further declare they have no interest in said case, etc.]

/s/ John Sandell

/s/ Olaf Seaquist

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William Schroeder Response to Pension Bureau Circular

15 January 1898

Married to Mrs. William Schroeder, Bertha Kaddatz

Married 6 September 1868, St. Paul MN Per Seiker

Question: What record of marriage exists?

Answer: I had it but it got lost.

Not previously married.

Children living: Annie, 16 Aug 1869. Tillie, 1 June 1872. Louise, 13 Aug 1874. William J. 23 April 1877. Carl, 7 Jan 1882. Raymond, 20 July 1889. Harold, 28 April 1894.

/s/ Wm Schroeder, July 4, 1898

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Declaration for Pension

5 April 1907

State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey

5 April 1907

William Schroeder, 75 years old, resident of St. Paul, Ramsey Co, MN

Enrolled at Fort Snelling, MN, 5 March 1862, private, Company D, 5th Regiment, Minnesota Infantry Volunteers, transferred to Company F, 5th Regiment, Minnesota Infantry Volunteers, Honorably Discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana, 14 March 1865.

5' 2" tall, light complexion, blue eyes, light hair. Tailor by trade. Born April 2, 1832, Arsnwalde, Germany. Residences since leaving service: St. Paul, MN.

Appoints as attorney Philip Bardon, St. Paul MN.

Postal Address: 616 Linden Street, St. Paul, Ramsey Co, MN

/s/ William Schroeder

[Attested by] John Groetsch, Mrs. Christi-----

[Stamped by Pension Bureau, date illegible]

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Affidavit of Louisa Zeige

25 November 1915

Age 58, P.O. address 170 East Howard St., Winona, Winona Co MN, 29 Nov 1915 in the matter of Widow's Pension Claim account of William Schroeder of Co. F, Reg't Vet Reserve Corps, Pension Ctf. No. 816, 931.

That she is a sister of the claimant and knows of her knowledge gained by such relationship: That the claimant was never married before she married the soldier:

That she became acquainted with the soldier about three weeks before he married the claimant. That he was known as a single man and she verily believes he was never married before he married the claimant. That the claimant and the soldier lived together as husband and wife from the date of their marriage to the date of soldier's death: that they were never divorced: that the claimant has not re-married since the death of the soldier. That she is positive the above facts are true in every particular and is certain that if they were otherwise it would have become known to her.

/s/ Louisa Zeige

[Stamped U.S. Pension Office Dec 9, 1915 ]

Affidavit of Charles W. Kaddatz

25 November 1915

Age 54, P.O. address Fergus Falls, MN, Nov 1915, in the matter of Widow's Pension Claim account of William Schroeder of Co. F, Reg't Vet Reserve Corps, Pension Ctf. No. 816, 931.

That he is a brother of the claimant and knows of his own knowledge gained by such relationship that: The claimant was never married before she married the claimant. That he knew the soldier shortly before he was married (about 3 weeks) and knows that the soldier was known as a single man. And he verily believes that the soldier was never married before he married the claimant. That the claimant and the soldier lived together as husband and wife from the date of their marriage to the date of the soldier's death: that they were never divorced: that the claimant has not re-married since the death of the soldier. That he is positive the above facts are true in every particular and is certain that if they were otherwise it would have become known to him.
/s/ Charles W. Kaddatz
[Stamped U.S. Pension Office, 9 Dec 1915]

Affidavit of Bertha A. Schroeder

29 January 1916

Age 65, P.O. address 302 Fuller Ave., St. Paul MN, 29 Jan 1916, in the matter of Widow's Pension Claim account of William Schroeder of Co. F, Reg't Vet Reserve Corps, Pension Ctf. No. 816, 931.
That she has tried diligently to get some one who knew her husband before his marriage to her is unable to find any witnesses other than C. W. Kaddatz and E. C. Swaringer who knew the soldier before he married the claimant - that she was in this country from Germany just about 3 weeks before her marriage to the soldier. That neither the soldier or the claimant (deponent) were ever married before they married each other. That she and the soldier lived together as husband and wife from date of their marriage to the date of the soldier's death. That they raised a family of seven children all of whom are now living. That she is positive the above facts are true in every particular and is certain that if they were otherwise it would have become known to her.
/s/ Bertha A. Schroeder
[Stamped U.S. Pension Office, 29 Jan 1916]

1. The Siege of Fort Abercrombie, Aug-Sept 1862

Excerpt from Bard & Wika, Inc., from the website of The Friends of Fort Abercrombie, www.ftabercrombie.org/index.htm (off-site)

         During the last two weeks of August and throughout the month of September in 1862, Fort Abercrombie, a United States Army post on the edge of the Minnesota frontier was besieged by the Dakota or Sioux Indians for six weeks or so. . . .

          The next incident took place early on the morning of September 3rd. Captain Vander Horck and his orderly were inspecting the outside picket guard. Just as they were about to approach the last picket on the post, the guard on duty, mistaking the party for Indians fired at them, wounding Captain Vander Horck in the arm. The guard after seeing his mistake explained that during the night he had seen some Indians crawling in the grass near his post and thinking they were about to attack he had fired. Just at daybreak and as Doctor Brown, the post physician and surgeon was bandaging Captain Vander Horck's wound, the Indians attacked the post. On they came, Official estimates placed the number at about four hundred. They were armed with their own native weapons, as well as, firearms of all descriptions. All were in war paint and many were almost nude - wearing nothing but a loincloth.

          The First Lieutenant of Company "D" of the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant Cariveau, was present in the garrisoning of the fort, but was ill, therefore, the command and responsibility of defending the fort fell upon the Second Lieutenant, a man by the name of John Groetch. The Indians attacked the fort from the south and the full force of the attack was direct against the stables and the stockyard. In fact, it soon became clear that the attackers were mainly interested in securing horses that would help them maintain the siege. Burning hay stacks shed a grotesque light on the whole scene as the garrison managed to repulse the Indians after two hours of fighting. Cannon fire helped, but so did the intense efforts of armed citizens, bent on saving their animals from being captured. They were led by Captain T. D. Smith, the post quartermaster. He was given much of the credit for the defeat of the Indians, who kept up desultory firing until three o'clock in the afternoon from the dense cover along the river.

         Joseph Desmaris, the post's mixed-blood interpreter, later learned from the Indians that after the failure of their attack on the fort, the Indians were discouraged in their belief that they would be able to take the post. No definite figure could be placed on upon the Indians as they took most of their dead with them .Two Indians were found dead in the stockyard after the fight, but perhaps four more were thought to have been killed and as many as fifteen wounded. The loss to the defenders was slight. The official correspondence of Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars places the loss at two whites, one killed and one wounded. These men were Corporal Nicholas Hittinger, who was wounded in the right shoulder and Private Edwin D. Steele, who was wounded in the abdomen and who died on September 7th.

The evidence presented above shows that another soldier of Company D of the 5th Michigan Infantry was injured at Fort Abercrombie on September 3, 1863, though not from Indian attack, but by a blanket-laden rafter falling onto his head: our great-grandfather William Frederick Schroeder.

In addition, what the foregoing narrative (like most all white-centric narratives) fails to consider are the complex causes of the Sioux Indian Uprising of 1862. As chance would have it, Mike happened to write his 1986 senior honor's thesis in History at the University of Minnesota on "The Causes of the Great Sioux Indian Uprising of 1862."

We'll spare you the details here, except to say that the thesis looked at the Uprising from the perspective of the Sioux (Dakota), focusing especially on the many material and cultural grievances accumulated by Indian peoples in Minnesota and Dakota Territory that combined to prompt their violent and desperate uprising in 1862: the systematic usurpation of their lands and destruction of their ways of life from the 1830s; the failure of the federal government to fulfill its part of the treaties Indian leaders had been compelled to sign in the years before 1862 (especially failure to actually pay the money they promised to pay, leading to widespread hunger and destitution); and continuing episodes of white violence against Indian men, women, children, families, villages, and communities across the frontier.

Much more could be said on this topic, and probably will soon . . . so watch this space! In the meantime, let's recount a little more white man's history and look at:

History of the Fifth Regiment of Minnesota Volunteer Infantry

source: http://kathrynmn_1.tripod.com/civilwar.htm

5th Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry

          Organized at Fort Snelling, Minn., March 15 to April 30, 1862. Company "D" moved to Fort Abercrombie, D. T., Action at Fort Abercrombie June 20. Defense of Fort Abercrombie September 3-26. Actions with Sioux Indians September; Company ordered to join Regiment and Joined at Germantown, Tenn.; Company "C" moved to Fort Ripley; Rejoined Regiment near Oxford, Miss. . . . Regiment moved to Mississippi; Attached to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Mississippi, to 2nd Brigade, 8th Division, Left Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee; 2nd Brigade, 8th Division, 16th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee . . .

          SERVICE.--Siege of Corinth, Miss.; occupation of Corinth; pursuit to Booneville; at Camp Clear Creek moved to Rienzi; thence to Tuscumbia, Ala.; moved to Clear Creek; then to Iuka, Miss., Skirmish at Iuka; Battle of Iuka; Battle of Corinth; Pursuit to Ripley; Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign; Demonstration on Haines and Drumgould's Bluffs; movement to Join army in rear of Vicksburg, Miss., via Richmond and Grand Gulf; Mississippi Springs; Jackson; Siege of Vicksburg; Expedition to Mechanicsburg and Satartia; Satartia; Expedition from Young's Point to Richmond, La.,. Advance toward Jackson; Guard duty at Black River Bridge; At Bear Creek; Expedition to Canton; Bogue Chitto Creek; Moved to Memphis, Tenn.; then to LaGrange, Tenn.; Memphis & Charleston Railroad and scouting after Forest; moved to Vicksburg, Miss.; Meridian Campaign; at Black River Bridge; march to Canton and return to Vicksburg; Red River Campaign; Fort DeRussy; Occupation of Alexandria; Henderson's Hill; Grand Ecore; Campti; Battle of Pleasant Hill; Cloutiersville, Cane River; Alexandria; Moore's Plantation; Bayou LaMourie; Bayou Roberts; Retreat to Morganza; Mansura; Yellow Bayou; moved to Vicksburg, Miss.; thence to Memphis, Tenn.; Action at Lake Chicot; Defeat of Marmaduke; Expedition to Tupelo; (Non-Veterans). Camargo's Cross Roads; Harrisburg, near Tupelo; Tishamingo or Old Town Creek; Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss.; Abbeville; Mower's Expedition to Brownsville, Ark.; March through Arkansas and Missouri in pursuit of Price; moved to Nashville, Tenn.; Battle of Nashville; Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River; moved to Eastport, Miss.; moved to New Orleans, La.; Campaign against Mobile, Ala., and its Defenses; Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely; Assault and capture of Fort Blakely; Occupation of Mobile; March to Montgomery; Duty at Montgomery, Selma and Demopolis, Ala., until August. Mustered out September 6, 1865.

          Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 86 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 175 Enlisted men by disease. Total 269.

Official History of Company D of the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in the Civil and Indian Wars

Source: Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, 1861-1865, Prepared and Published under the Supervision of The Board of Commissioners Appointed by the Act of the Legislature of Minnesota of April 16, 1889, St. Paul, Minnesota, Electrotyped and Printed for the State by the Pioneer Press Company, 1890.

(click on page numbers to view full text)
Page nos.	Topic
243	Introduction (Gen. L. F. Hubbard)
244 245 246 247 248	The Indian War of 1862
248 249 250	Battle of Redwood, MN (Aug 1862)
250 251 252 253 254 255	Fort Ridgley, MN (Aug 1862)
255 256 257	Fort Abercrombie (Aug-Sept 1862)
257 258 259 260	Fort Ripley, MN (Aug 1862)
260 261	In the Rebellion – Battle of Farmington and Siege of Corinth, Mississippi (Companies A, E, F, G, H, I, and K, May-June 1862)
261 262 263 264	Battles of Iuka and Second Corinth, Mississippi, Summer-Fall 1862
264	Campaigns Through Central Mississippi and West Tennessee (Winter 1862)
265 266 267 268	Campaign, Siege and Capture of Vicksburg (Feb-July 1863)
268	Re-Enlistment as Veterans (Feb 1864)
269 270	The Red River Expedition (Mississippi, Spring 1864)
270 271 272	Battle of Pleasant Hill (Mississippi, Spring 1864)
272 273	Battles of Mansura and Bayou de Glaise, Mississippi—Louisiana, Spring 1864)
273	Battle of Lake Chicot – Veteran Furlough (Mississippi—Louisiana, Spring 1864)
273	Return to the Front – Tupelo and Abbeyville, Mississippi (Summer 1864)
273 274	Campaign Through Arkansas and Missouri (Summer-Fall 1864)
274 275 276 277 278	Battle of Nashville—Pursuit of Hood (Fall 1864-Winter 1865)
278 279	Campaign Against Mobile, Spanish Fort and Blakely (Winter 1865)
279 280 281	The End of the War
Roster of Company D of the Fifth Regiment of the Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Thumbnails, pp. 288-290 Casualty rates and related data analyzed on a separate page, here