Beschreibung:

each 12mo in printed paper wraps. First for the Department of Dakota, dated 15 Sept, 1888, pages (as typical, each section numbered separately): 18, 1, 32, 9, 20, 1, 2, 9, 7, 1, 6, 2, 12, 1. Second written when Ruger was head of the Department of California, Report of Operations Against the Sioux Indians in 1890 and 1891 in the Department of Dakota. Pages: 28, 8, 11, 10, 8, 5, 6, 44, 44, 4, 12, 26, 3. Dated 19 Oct. 1891, the second report includes the death of Sitting Bull and recapture of many of his band and family, the actions at Wounded Knee, and the history of the Ghost Dance. The Ghost Dance was in its peak at the time. There is an interview with Jack Wilson by the commander of the Division of the Pacific who went to the Walker River agency to speak to Wilson about the movement. The central section deals with the pursuit and capture of Big Foot. For the most part, the report is made up of a reprinting of the series of telegrams exchanged between various commanders. The only mention of a problem at Wounded Knee: At 5:20 the following via Fort Bennett: "Rapid City, S.D., December 29, 1890. Commanding Officer, Fort Bennett, S.D., Send forward to Colonel Merriam without delay: Colonel Forsythe reports near Wounded Knee while disarming Big Foot's band this morning, fight occurred. Captain Wallace and five soldiers killed, Lieutenant Garlington and fifteen wounded. Large number of Indians killed and wounded. Some escaped west and may go north. Have your command in condition to intercept or pursue. Possibly a large number may break away and go north and west. The main body of your command should be not a great ways from forks of Cheyenne. By command of General Miles: Maus, Aide-de-camp." Yes, definitely a few Indians killed - nearly 200 by most counts. Provenance: Descended directly in the family of General Thomas H. Ruger Condition: First slightly toned. Second unread condition. Some toning of first and last pages from dye in cover paper, else fine.