Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 09.djvu/380

 SIBLEY

SIBLEY

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agent of the American Fur poinpany at Mack- inac, 1829-;^4. and in 1<:34 became a partner with Jieatlquarters at St. Peter's (Mendota), Minn., where he remained. 1834-62, removing in 1863 to St. Paul, Miun. He was married, May 2, 1843, to Sarah Jane, daugh- ter of General James and ^lary (Hume) Steele; then living at Fort Snelling. He was elected a dele- gate from "Wisconsin Territory to the 30th congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John H. Tweedy, serving in the 30th. ' '^ 31st. and 32(1 con-

1853. He was influ- ential in the 30th congress in having a part of "Wisconsin and a tract west of the Mississippi laid off as the Territory of Minnesota. He represented l)akota county in the territorial legislature. January to March. 1855; was a member of the Democratic wing of the first Minnesota constitu- tional conventi(m assembled Juh' 13, 1857, the constitution as framed being adopted by the people. Oct. 13. 1857. and was elected the first gov- ernor of the state, serving from May 24, 18.58, un- til Jan. 2, 1860. He was ordered by the supreme court to issue state bonds to railroads, after his refusal to issue them under direction of the legis- lature unless the railroads would give priority of lien on their property to the state, and he was also requested to market the bonds in New York, which he made an effort to do, but capitalists refused to buy them and they were subsequently repudiated by the state. He was appointed colo- nel of a regiment of volunteers sent up the Min- nesota river to protect the exposed points from the Sioux Indians, and the massacre at Acton, Aug. 18, 1862. was followed by the repulse of the Indians at New Ulm. Aug. 19 and 25, the attack on Fort Ridgely, Aug. 20, the bloody affair at Brick Coolie, Sept. 1, and the battle of Wood Lake, Sept. 22, 1862. the last being the decisive battle and effecting the release of about 2.50 white settlers and the capture of 2.000 Indians of both s^-xes. of whom 321 were tried for capital crimes and 303 condemned to die. Of these, 38 were hanged at Mankato, Dec. 26, 1862. He was ap- pointed brigadier-general of volunteers, Sept. 29, 1862. for " gallantry in the field "; established headquarters at St. Paul, and created a new mili- tary department, embracing Minnesota, Dakota, Iowa, and "Wisconsin, which he fortified with posts

and garrisons. He led a second successful expe- dition against the Sioux in Dakota in 186;3, includ- ing the battle of Big Mound, July 24; Dead Buf- falo Lake, July 26, and Stony Lake. July 28. He was employed in conducting measures for the defence of the western frontier, 1864-65, and was brevetted major-general of volunteers, Nov. 29, 1865, for efficient and meritorious services. He was relieved from the command of the district of Minnesota in August, 1866; was active in settling several Indian treaties, and upon re- entering business life in St. Paul, served as presi- dent of the chamber of commerce, and of sev- eral railroads, banks, and other large corporations. He became a member of the Minnesota Historical society, in 1849; of the Old Settlers' association of that state in 1858, and of the board of visitors to the U.S. Military academy, in 1807. He was also regent of the Universit}' of Minnesota. 1868- 91: president of the board of Indian commis- sioners, 1875-76, and received the honorary degree LL.D. from the College of New Jersey, in 1888. He contributed to the collections of the Minnesota Historical society, to the Spirit of the Times and to Turf, Field and Farm. He died in St. Paul. Minn., Feb. 18, 1891.

SIBLEY, Henry Hopkins, soldier, was born in Nacliitoclies. La., May 25, 1816; grandson of Dr. John and Betsey (Hopkins) Sibley. He was graduated from the U.S. Military academy, and promoted 2d lieutenant, 2d dragoons, July 1, 1838. He took part in the Florida war; was pro- moted l.st lieutenant, March 8, 1840, and served in the expedition into the Everglades of Florida, Dec. 3-24, 1840. He was adjutant of 2d dragoons at regimental headquarters, 1841-42 and 1842-46, being stationed at Fort Jesup, La., and Fort Washita, Indian Territory; participated in the military occupation of Texas, 1845-46, and was promoted captain, Feb. 16, 1847. He served through the Mexican war, being engaged in the siege of Vera Cruz, skirmish of Medelin, battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco. Molino del Rev. and the capture of the city of Mexico, and was brevetted major, ^March 25, 1847, for Medelin. He was in garrison in Mississippi in 1848; on recruiting service, 1848-50; on frontier duty at Forts Graham and Croghan, Texas, 1850-53, and other Texan depots, 1853-55: en- gaged in quelling the Kansas disturbances, 1855- 57; in the Utah expeditions, 1857-60; was in gar- rison at Forts Marcj' and Defiance, New Mexico, in 1860, and in the same year engaged in the Navajo exi>edition. He was promoted major and transferred to the 1st dragoons. May 13, 1861, but resigned on that day to enter the Confederate service. As brigadier-general, he was placed in command of the Confederates in New Mexico, July 5, 1861, raised a brigade of 2,000 men in