Near Pierre in Hughes County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The First (Old) Fort Sully

1863 - 1866

April 2, 2023

1. The First (Old) Fort Sully Marker

Inscription. In the field 400 yards south is a monument to and vestiges of the site of Fort Sully. After General Alfred Sully's troops had fought the Battle of Whitestone Hill near Ellendale, North Dakota, against the Indians in the fall of 1863, they marched back here to winter. Cos. E & L 6th Iowa Cavalry did most of the building. It was 270 ft. square with its East and West walls, barracks; the South wall where the gate was located was the hospital, guardhouse and quarters. The North wall was a palisade and inside were officer's quarters and a warehouse. There were bastions in NW & SE corners. Along the South wall, but outside, were cabins owned by Divet, an Indian dance hall, the post sutler and post interpreter and to the SW Narcelle's trade store and to the SE Brughiers. Col. E. M. Bartlett, 30th Wisconsin Infantry was first commander and the post was first named for him in 1863-64 but that spring re-named Fort Sully. The winter of 1864-65, after another campaign, it was garrisoned by Cos. B, H, & K 6th Iowa under Major House and that fall it was the scene of great Treaty Council with Teton & Yanktonaise Sioux. Lt. Col. John Patee,

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7th Iowa Cavalry commanded winter 1865-66 and Lt. Col. Andrews, the last commander, quit the post July 26, 1866 to march to New Fort Sully 36 miles upriver. The American Fur Company had a trade post on river bank opposite Farm Island while the fort was occupied by troops.

Erected 1956 by Michael M. Morrissey, M. D., Pierre and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 223.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 44° 20.929′ N, 100° 16.406′ W. Marker is near Pierre, South Dakota, in Hughes County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 34 at milepost 214 and Whitetail Avenue, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 34. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pierre SD 57501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it

The First (Old) Fort Sully Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.

April 2, 2023

2. The First (Old) Fort Sully Marker, from the west

is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Civilian Conservation Corps Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Old Fort Sully (approx. ¼ mile away); Cultural Legacy (approx. 0.4 miles away); Entering Teton Country (approx. 0.4 miles away); Missouri River Valley Archaeology (approx. 0.4 miles away); Farm Island Causeway (approx. 0.8 miles away); Much Was Accomplished (approx. 0.8 miles away); CCC Camp S - 207, Farm Island, 1933 - 37 (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pierre.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

The First (Old) Fort Sully Marker, from the east image. Click for full size.

April 2, 2023

3. The First (Old) Fort Sully Marker, from the east

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2023. This page has been viewed 713 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 8, 2023.