Commemoration of the Battle of New Ulm

     On Sunday, 19 August 2012 in Le Sueur, Minnesota, there was a ceremony commemorating those who served in the the Battle of New Ulm in the companies known as the "Le Sueur Tigers".
     A historical marker was unveiled in Louise Park (next to the Mayo House) that tells the story of the "Tigers".

      The names of the citizen soldiers are listed on the reverse side of the marker.

     A commemorative flag was flown. The mayor of New Ulm presented a proclamation and delivered a 150 year delayed thank you for the service of the men of the Le Sueur area. 

U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 websites

Here are some links to websites commemorating the Conflict:
Minnesota History Center site
Mankato & the US-Dakota War of 1862
Le Sueur Tigers Dedication
Le Sueur Tigers 1862-2012

James Doherty, New Ulm and Civil War Service

From the Le Sueur Sentinel, July 13, 1899:

          James Doherty was born in County Tyrone, Ireland and came to Le Sueur county Minnesota settling in Tyrone township prior to the civil war.  When the awful Sioux outbreak came in the summer of 1862, he joined the company of settlers known as the Le Sueur tigers No. 2, on August 20^th, and with them took part in the heroic defense of New Ulm, being discharged with the rest of that body, when the defense of that city was completed and the Indians driven off, on August 27^th. On September 28^th, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G. 10^th, Minnesota Infantry and was at once made a corporal afterward being promoted to the rank of sergeant. His company was commanded at the start by Capt. Edwin C. Sanders under whom himself and others had served at New Ulm. During the winter of 1863, his regiment remained in Minnesota on account of the Sioux outbreak which had not been entirely settled and Co. G. was one of the six companies which took part in the execution of the Indians at Mankato.  During the summer of 1863 the regiment participated in the great Indian expidition (sic) under General Sibley and on July 28^th, being in the advance, were attacked by 5000 Indians, the largest number of red men ever engaging an American army, and after a short fight routed them entirely. The Indians having been driven out of the state and across the Missouri, the 10^th, having marched 585 miles from Fort Snelling to a point near Bismarck, N. D. On August 20^th, the long countermarch was begun and Ft. Snelling was again reached about September 10^th. On October 7^th, the regiment took boats for St. Louis, Mo., where Col. J. H. Baker was placed in command of the post and the regiment assigned to provost guard duty.  In April 1864 the 10^th left for Columbus, Ky., and later went to Memphis and took part in the battle of Tupelo.  Next they were sent into Missouri and took part in the “Price” raid and later went to Nashville where they took a conspicuous part in the famous encounter where they assaulted and carried the strongest part of “Hood’s” works.  The regiment then went into winter quarters at Eastpoint, Miss., in the spring went to Mobile where they took part in the capture of a Spanish fort.  The war having ended the regiment returned home and were mustered out August 18^th, 1865.

James and Ann Heatherston Doherty Family

          After participating in a military service more varied meritorious and gallant perhaps than that of any other body of men that served in the civil war, Sergt. James Doherty returned to his home and farm life in Tyrone where has since remained and where he now lives. Hard labor and economy has caused him to thrive and he is now in comfortable circumstances and has as fine a farm as this section can boast.  A large family of children has come to make his home pleasant, some of whom are married and settled in life.  Comrade Doherty is a valued member of Oliver B. Smith Post No. 183 G. A. R. of this city.  A cut of his home appears in this issue. 

150 Years, Battle of New Ulm

     August of this year marks the sesquicentennial of the event known by a number of names, including the Battle of New Ulm, the Sioux Uprising and the Dakota Conflict.
     A number of St. Thomas area men were members of the Le Sueur Tigers No. 2. (Roster)

 Luke Smith appears in the 1860 census.  He was living in Hillsdale Township (later renamed Tyrone). According to the census he was born in Ireland in 1832.  He was single at the time of the census and a farmer. 

     Mathew Ahern is indexed as Herron in the 1860 census. He was 30 years old and born in Ireland.  He is living in Hillsdale Township with his family.  His wife is identified as Bridget Foley Herron. (Unusual to have a maiden name in the census record!) The children are Catherine, William and Mary A.  Living in the household is Catherine Herron, possibly Mathew's sister. 

 
     Other volunteers who survived the conflict were James Doherty (1st Corporal--Tyrone), Samuel Doherty (Private--Tyrone), Daniel Burns (Private--Tyrone), Thomas Fowler (Private--Derrynane), Michael Heatherston (Private--Tyrone), William Murray (Private--Tyrone), and Henry Regan (Private--Tyrone).  Also in the roster is "C. Roman".  This is quite possibly Cornelius Ronayne.  Ronayne is sometimes rendered as Ronan.

      Some on the roster who also lived in Hillsdale were P. Horrisberger, Pete Stauff, William Snell, and William Luskey (No. 1).

     There will be a memorial dedicated to the Le Sueur Tigers in Le Sueur on August 19, 2012.
   
     The Brown County Historical Society is acknowledging the sesquicentennial as well--150th Commemoration of the U.S.-Dakota War.
     A Google search will bring up a wealth of information about this historical event that a number of our St. Thomas ancestors participated in.