Reply to Pvt. Baker

Pvt. Baker,

In reply to your letter:

The Sissetons were encamped one mile to the east. I had no truck with them. The Sissetons are very peaceful. Compared to my experieneces with hostiles in 1861 while I was posted to Fort Laramie.

It is my opinion that the Sissetons pulled a coup when they convinced the government not to build this fort near the James River bottoms near Aberdeen, but rather on the high prairie. They immediately, the Sissetons, became great trading partners with us and the Post Sutler.

The Sissetons also serve as our scouts and are sent after deserters. They did not need to bring the deserters back alive, just bring back evidence they dealt with them. This was by Post Order. We had few deserters.

A large buffalo robe adorns my back office. For the most part I only dealt with those individuals traveling thru towards the Montana gold fields and those who have settled within a fifteen mile radius of the Fort. and of course the Le'Twatt sisters. I did make a nature trip to identify a few new species of birds, to the Eden area. I am charged with the responsibility to collect, observe and collect specimens of the flora and fauna of the area.

To your question about Custer. It is rumored that Col. Custer may be in this area next spring. Personally, I see him as a braggart and a poor Officer.

YOS,

Captain Henry Silliman Asst Surgeon Fort Wadsworth Dakota Territory

10th US Infantry