North Dakota Forts - Page 2

<< Previous 1 2 3 Next >> 

Fort Ransom (1867-1872) - On June 17, 1867, the 10th U.S. Infantry, under the leadership of Major George H. Crosman arrived in southeastern North Dakota, in what is present day Ransom County, to build a fort. The purpose for the military post was to protect settlers and railroad workers building the Northern Pacific Railroad from Fargo to Bismarck. Situated on Grizzly Bear Hill, the post was named in honor of Major General Thomas E.G. Ransom, a Civil War hero.

The soldiers first began enclosing an area measuring 350 by 400 feet with breastworks and then began to build several log buildings, including barracks, quartermaster and commissary storehouses, a granary, bakery, guardhouse, hospital, stables, and other buildings. However, according to an 1869 inspection report, most of the buildings were primitive and unfinished. Just three years later, in 1872, the post was dismantled and the materials used to build Fort Seward at Jamestown.

Today, though no buildings remain, the location is a state historic site. The building locations and dry moat are still visible. The site is located 3/4 mile southwest of the town of Fort Ransom, North Dakota.

Fort Ransom State Historic Site

State Historical Society of North Dakota

612 E. Blvd. Ave.

Bismark, North Dakota 58505

701-328-2666

Fort Rice, North Dakota, painting by Seth Eastman

Fort Rice (1864-1878) - This military post was established in July, 1864 by General Alfred H. Sully as a field base for his summer expeditions. At this time, travel in the area was unsafe due to aggressive Indian attacks on the transportation routes. The U.S. Government, in an attempt to make both the land and river routes safe for travelers, sent General Sully and the 30th Wisconsin Infantry to build the post. The fort buildings were constructed of cottonwood logs cut from the banks of the nearby river and prairie sod for the buildings’ roofs. The Wisconsin infantry was later replaced by 1st US Volunteer Infantry, a group of soldiers comprised primarily of Confederate prisoners of war, familiarly known as "Galvanized Yankees,” who had agreed to assist the U.S. Army in the western Frontier instead of languishing in a Union prison.

Life was rough at the fledgling fort, with soldiers suffering from severe cold and disease during the first year. Some 81 men died in the post’s first year; however, only seven of these deaths were due to hostile activity. The post served as base of operations for General Sully from 1864-65 and later, was the location of several important Indian negotiations, which would eventually lead to the Fort Laramie Treaty. Fort Rice was abandoned in November, 1878 when Fort Yates was built on the Standing Rock Agency.

Located in present-day Morton County, 8/10 of a mile southeast of the town of Fort Rice, the no buildings mark the Fort Rice State Historic Site. However, in the 1940’s the Works Progress Administration (WPA) marked many of Fort Rice’s original foundations, and today there are maps and additional markers at the site.

Fort Stevenson (1867-1883) - Established in June 1867 by Major Joseph N.G. Whistler with troops from Fort Berthold, the fort was named for Brigadier General Thomas G. Stevenson who was in the Civil War. The post's objectives were to serve as a supply base for Fort Totten and protect the vessels traveling along the Missouri River. Though the post was never directly attacked, the troops were sometimes engaged in skirmishes. However, the greater danger to soldiers at the fort were the fierce winters on the northern plains, where temperatures would often drop to 40 degrees below zero. Fort Stevenson was abandoned in the summer of 1883, the buildings dismantled and the troops transferred to Fort Buford. Today, the site is under the waters of Lake Sakakawea on the Missouri River.

Fort Totten - See full article HERE.

Fort Yates (1863-1903) - This military post, established in 1863, was first called the Standing Rock Cantonment. Its purpose was to oversee several bands of the Sioux tribe. In 1868, the land was given over to the Sioux under the terms of the  Fort Laramie Treaty. However, the military remained and the post's name was changed by the US Army in 1878 to honor Captain George Yates who was killed by the Lakota Oyate at the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. Fort Yates also served as the headquarters of the US Standing Rock Indian Agency, headed by US Indian Service Agent James McLaughlin who ordered the arrest of Sitting Bull on December 14, 1890. He was shot and killed the next day and buried at Fort Yates. The army post and fort were decommissioned in 1903, leaving the Indian Agency and settlement retained the name.

View of Fort Yates, North Dakota, showing houses, church, buildings, barracks and Missouri River in background. Photo taken between 1874 and 1889.

 

In 1953, Sitting Bull's remains were moved to Mobridge, South Dakota where he is honored with an appropriate monument. Overlooking the Missouri River near his home, he is remembered among the Lakota not only as an inspirational leader and fearless warrior, but also as a loving father, a spiritual man, and always a person that was friendly to others.

Today, the town of Fort Yates, which supports about 220 people continues to be the headquarters of the Standing Rock Reservation. 

Fort Union - See full article HERE.

© Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated January, 2011.

<< Previous 1 2 3 Next >> 

 From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Legends Exclusive Custom Products - Legends of America and the Rocky Mountain General Store now provide a number of exclusive products that you won't find anywhere else! At our Exclusive Custom Products Store, you'll find lots of crazy bumper stickers;

Old West prints, postcards, t-shirts and more; and our line of exclusive Route 66 products provides images on a number of items that you've never seen before! Click HERE to see the entire line.