Re: Lincoln & Indians

Posted by Dana S. on December 04, 1999 at 06:46:51:

In Reply to: Re: Lincoln & Indians posted by Rich on December 04, 1999 at 03:38:41:

: : Also, does anyone know more about what Abraham Lincoln's policies concerning the Indians were?

: : Dana S.

: Dana ... Off the top of my head, I can comment on two things. One is that Lincoln's main concern, of course, during his administration, was the Civil War. Necessarily, western frontier posts were stripped to the bare minimum. A dramatic increase in Plains Indian raids was realized as a consequence. Railroads, posts, telegraph wires ... all prime targets! The troops, many civilian units, had no real, focused policy to adhere to, thus the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864. Want to be totally sickened? Read of that little incident.

: Secondly, largely because of the first reason, the Dakota Sioux of Minnesota, under Little Crow, had a major uprising in 1862. After it was fought, Lincoln authorized the hanging of 50 or so, I believe, warriors at Mankato.

: Though I believe Lincoln a compassionate & great leader, I also feel he was never really able to devote his attention to the problems of the Indian people. Perhaps had the Civil War not been raging, he would have handled affairs of this nature differently.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks, Rich. It was the hanging at Mankato that was mentioned last night. Apparently Lincoln had pardoned quite a few warriors. I had never thought of Lincoln in relation to all of these happenings in the west.

Dana S.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Lincoln & Indians myrrh 10:09:59 12/04/99 (1)
  • Re: Lincoln & Indians Rich 17:56:46 12/04/99 (0)

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Comments:
: : : Also, does anyone know more about what Abraham Lincoln's policies concerning the Indians were?

: : : Dana S.

: : Dana ... Off the top of my head, I can comment on two things. One is that Lincoln's main concern, of course, during his administration, was the Civil War. Necessarily, western frontier posts were stripped to the bare minimum. A dramatic increase in Plains Indian raids was realized as a consequence. Railroads, posts, telegraph wires ... all prime targets! The troops, many civilian units, had no real, focused policy to adhere to, thus the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864. Want to be totally sickened? Read of that little incident.

: : Secondly, largely because of the first reason, the Dakota Sioux of Minnesota, under Little Crow, had a major uprising in 1862. After it was fought, Lincoln authorized the hanging of 50 or so, I believe, warriors at Mankato.

: : Though I believe Lincoln a compassionate & great leader, I also feel he was never really able to devote his attention to the problems of the Indian people. Perhaps had the Civil War not been raging, he would have handled affairs of this nature differently.

: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
: Thanks, Rich.  It was the hanging at Mankato that was mentioned last night.  Apparently Lincoln had pardoned quite a few warriors.  I had never thought of Lincoln in relation to all of these happenings in the west.  

: Dana S.


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