Fort Pierre in Stanley County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fort Pierre Chouteau: Military Occupancy (1855-1857)
More than 900 soldiers called Fort Pierre Chouteau home during its military time, more than the fort and surrounding area could support. The army housed men in portable clapboard houses and sent some to smaller winter camps. The fort was abandoned in 1857. The army moved building materials and weapons south to Fort Randall near Pickstown, SD.
General William S. Harney and his troops arrived at Fort Pierre in October 1855. The next year, 7,000 representatives from the Brute, Oglala, Two Kettle, Minneconjou, Sans Arc, Hunkpapa, Blackfeet, Yank-tonais, and Yankton Sioux tribes met at the fort and signed the Treaty of Fort Pierre. The treaty allowed tribes to police themselves and permitted white travel along the North Platte River. The government promised to send food to the tribes and help any member interested in farming. Congress never ratified the treaty.
Images courtesy of the South Dakota Historical Society and the National Archives.
Erected by The South Dakota State Historical Society, a Preserve America grant and the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad Corporation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1855.
Location. 44° 23.455′ N, 100° 23.266′ W. Marker is in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, in Stanley County. Marker can be reached from Fort Chouteau Road, 0.3 miles east of State Highway 1806 when traveling east. Marker is located on the grounds of the Fort Pierre Chouteau National Historic Landmark, at the northeast end of the walking trail from Fort Chouteau Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 350 Fort Chouteau Road, Fort Pierre SD 57532, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Archaeology at Fort Pierre Chouteau (here, next to this marker); Fort Pierre Chouteau Site (here, next to this marker); Fort Pierre Choteau Trading Post (here, next to this marker); Cultures Come Together (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Pierre Chouteau: Fur Trade (1832-1855) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fur Trade on the Upper Missouri River (about 500 feet away); Rivers and Trails (about 500 feet away); Scotty Philip and his Buffalo Ranch (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Pierre.
More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted horizontally on waist-high metal posts.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Fort Pierre Chouteau National Historic Landmark
Also see . . . General William S. Harney on the Northern Plains. The Department of War purchased the Fort Pierre Chouteau from the American Fur Company for use as a northern bastion in Harney's Sioux expedition. In June, the Second Infantry had taken supplies for fifteen hundred men and embarked on steamboats headed for this upper Missouri site. Even though it was inadequate, Fort Pierre Chouteau was now the headquarters of the Sioux expedition and, as such, was the center of operations for fourteen companies, six from the Second Infantry, four from the Sixth Infantry, and four from the Second Dragoons. As a result of the poor conditions at the fort, however, Harney ordered most of his men to winter at temporary cantonments north and south of Fort Pierre Chouteau where they could find adequate grass and wood. (Submitted on October 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.