Near Pickstown in Gregory County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fort Randall Established
December 3, 2021
1. Fort Randall Established Marker
In 1854, Lieutenant Grattan led a party of 29 soldiers from Fort Laramie to arrest a Dakota man accused of killing a settler's ox. When the tribe refused to surrender the man and tensions escalated, Grattan ordered his men to open fire, killing a Chief. The Dakotas retaliated, killing the soldiers.
Considered the start of the Indian Wars, the death of Grattan led to General William S. Harney's Sioux Expedition in 1856.
Needing a place to garrison his troops, General Harney chose a strategic place on the west bank of the Missouri to build a new fort. He named it Fort Randall after Colonel Daniel Randall, late Deputy Paymaster General of the U.S. Army.
The spot offered commanding views in all directions, accessible riverfront for a steamboat landing, and the necessary natural resources—water, grass for forage, and timber for building and heating.
Captions:
Fort Randall in the early 1860s.
General William S. Harney, between 1860 and 1870.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 43° 2.948′ N, 98° 33.733′ W. Marker is near Pickstown, South Dakota, in Gregory County. Marker is on Stone Church
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Without a Stockade (here, next to this marker); The Advancing Frontier (here, next to this marker); Explore Fort Randall (here, next to this marker); Soldiers at Fort Randall (a few steps from this marker); Spiritual & Social Sustenance (within shouting distance of this marker); Plat of Fort Randall (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Randall (within shouting distance of this marker); Echo Lodge, No. 2. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pickstown.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of markers along the Historic Fort Randall parade ground trail.
December 3, 2021
2. Fort Randall Established Marker (left)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2021. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on December 15, 2021. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2021. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
