December 6, 1862---Lincoln pardons Sioux warriors

DECEMBER 6, 1862:         

303 Sioux Indians are condemned to death for participating in The Dakota War of 1862. Numerous appeals for clemency begin to cross the Great Emancipator’s desk. President Lincoln is ashamed at the bad faith of the U.S. Government toward the Indians, and understands that this bad faith was the first cause of the war. He pardons all but 39 of the condemned.