JULY 26, 1863:
The
Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake, Dakota Territory (now North Dakota).
Union General
Henry Hastings Sibley attacks retreating Sioux near Dead Buffalo Lake. When the
Sioux withdraw without putting up more than token resistance, Sibley’s forces continue
to pursue them (Henry Hastings Sibley U.S.A. should not be confused with Henry
Hopkins Sibley C.S.A.. The two men were
cousins.)
On this same day, Virginia-born Sam Houston (1793-1863),
former Governor of Tennessee, adopted Cherokee, President, Governor and “Father
of Texas,” and unwavering Unionist, dies in Huntsville, Texas in internal
exile. Houston had been removed from the Governorship of Texas by
pro-Confederate politicians after he refused to break faith with the United
States. Houston, though a slave owner, had
opposed the expansion of slavery and opposed the establishment of the
Confederacy. Given his role in establishing Texas, his treatment at the hands
of Texas’ leaders was shameful.
