and a large number of Indians captured. Many voluutarily surrendercd, bringing with them over two hundred whites that they had taken prisoners. A military commission tried these Indians, and sentenced over three hundred to be hung. All but thirty-nine were reprieved and put into prison. The remainder were moved to Dakota, to a barren descrt, where for three years they endured sufferings far worse than death. The remainder cscaped to the Upper Missouri region or to Canada.^[1]

Minnesota, at a terrible cost to hersclf and to the United States Government, was at last free from the presence of Indiaus within her borders-Indians who were her enemies only because they bad been treated with injustice and bad faith.

During this time the bands of Sioux in the Upper Missouri region had been more or less hostile, and military force in continual requisition to subdue them. sota refugees, they became more hostile still, and in the sum mer of 18693 were in almost incessant conflict. In 1864 the Governor of Dakota Territory writes to the Departinent that the war is spreading into Nebraska and Kansas, and that if provision is not mado for the loyal treaty Indians in that re- gion before long, they also will join the hostiles. One band of the Sioux the Yanktons-has been persistently loyal, and ren- dered great scrvice through all the troubles. Fifty of these Yankton Sioux had been organized by General Sibley into a company of scouts, and had proved "more effective than twice the number of white soldiers." Re-enforced by the Minne- The only cost to the Govern- ment "of this service on the part of the Yanktons had been fifty suits of condemned artillery uniforms, arms, and rations in part to the scouts themselves."

In 1865 the Government, having spent about $40,000,000 on these campaigns, began to cast about for cheaper, if not