52pp The title of this rare survival of early Minnesota history tells it all: Journal of Capt. S.B. Eaton. Was kept by him while looking for a position for a military post near the head waters of the Red River of northern Minnesota. At a time when Native resistance in the upper plains was increasingly stiffening and the American military expansion rising, Eaton and his detachment were sent to identify suitable spots for a new military post in the northern hinterlands of the new state. The diary begins in August 1859 as the expedition leaves Fort Ripley to survey sites near Otter Tail Lake (where there was insufficient limestone), Lake Detroit, Lake Floyd, the Pelican River, and Pelican Lake. As a diarist, Eaton was meticulous about recording the basic details necessary to his task: the suitability of the terrain, distances and directions, and a summary of resources available. I examined the lumber on Lake Waite this morning, he wrote in a typical passage. There are tree sufficiently large for building, but are scattered over a good deal of Ground & a good deal of country will have to be gone over to obtain them in numbers to build a post... (Sept. 9). Occasionally, Eaton mentions the people: A Chippewa brave, Fine Day, came into camp to day and exhibited a good deal of uneasiness as to what our business was. He said he and his band were not present at the treaty when the Chippewas sold their land and he claims the land on this lake for himself & about which they have been living many years. The Colonel (Marte) told him he was sent here by the President to look at the Country and he was going also to look at the Sioux Country and he did not intend to molest Mr. Fine Day in any way whatsoever. Mr. F. Day exhibited a paper given him by Major Patten, USA, given Mr. Day a very good character & occasioning all white men that they must not cut timber on Indian reserves... (Aug. 9). Although not a scintillating read, the diary provides a good travel narrative describing the terrain and landscape, and occasional asides on what to Eaton were unusual sights: At this camp, he wrote, there are a number of small mounds which is said to have been made by the Indians & the Chippewas say this was once the site of a large Indian town. Every lake we have yet visited seems to be full of very fine fish. Whitefish, pickerel, pike and a very large kind of sunfish. The men caught as many as they wanted... (Aug. 17). He also records the difficulties attendant on trekking through such new territory: Oxen stampeded last night about 10 pm and were found this morning 2 miles from camp, and we were late in consequence in starting. Marched to Wild Rice River and crossed it about 2 1/2 miles from its mouth on a bridge which we had to build and which occupied 3 hours in constructing. In consequence of the fatigue of the men who worked hard, we encamped soon after crossing (Aug. 29). A fine record of a scouting expedition into early Minnesota to establish a new military fort. Condition: Good condition with expected wear.
52pp The title of this rare survival of early Minnesota history tells it all: Journal of Capt. S.B. Eaton. Was kept by him while looking for a position for a military post near the head waters of the Red River of northern Minnesota. At a time when Native resistance in the upper plains was increasingly stiffening and the American military expansion rising, Eaton and his detachment were sent to identify suitable spots for a new military post in the northern hinterlands of the new state. The diary begins in August 1859 as the expedition leaves Fort Ripley to survey sites near Otter Tail Lake (where there was insufficient limestone), Lake Detroit, Lake Floyd, the Pelican River, and Pelican Lake. As a diarist, Eaton was meticulous about recording the basic details necessary to his task: the suitability of the terrain, distances and directions, and a summary of resources available. I examined the lumber on Lake Waite this morning, he wrote in a typical passage. There are tree sufficiently large for building, but are scattered over a good deal of Ground & a good deal of country will have to be gone over to obtain them in numbers to build a post... (Sept. 9). Occasionally, Eaton mentions the people: A Chippewa brave, Fine Day, came into camp to day and exhibited a good deal of uneasiness as to what our business was. He said he and his band were not present at the treaty when the Chippewas sold their land and he claims the land on this lake for himself & about which they have been living many years. The Colonel (Marte) told him he was sent here by the President to look at the Country and he was going also to look at the Sioux Country and he did not intend to molest Mr. Fine Day in any way whatsoever. Mr. F. Day exhibited a paper given him by Major Patten, USA, given Mr. Day a very good character & occasioning all white men that they must not cut timber on Indian reserves... (Aug. 9). Although not a scintillating read, the diary provides a good travel narrative describing the terrain and landscape, and occasional asides on what to Eaton were unusual sights: At this camp, he wrote, there are a number of small mounds which is said to have been made by the Indians & the Chippewas say this was once the site of a large Indian town. Every lake we have yet visited seems to be full of very fine fish. Whitefish, pickerel, pike and a very large kind of sunfish. The men caught as many as they wanted... (Aug. 17). He also records the difficulties attendant on trekking through such new territory: Oxen stampeded last night about 10 pm and were found this morning 2 miles from camp, and we were late in consequence in starting. Marched to Wild Rice River and crossed it about 2 1/2 miles from its mouth on a bridge which we had to build and which occupied 3 hours in constructing. In consequence of the fatigue of the men who worked hard, we encamped soon after crossing (Aug. 29). A fine record of a scouting expedition into early Minnesota to establish a new military fort. Condition: Good condition with expected wear.
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