Nathan F. DAME

1839 - Abt 1867  (28 years)

• Name	Nathan F. DAME  [1]
  Born	1839	Ossipee, Carroll, New Hampshire
  Gender	Male
  Military Event	Civil War - 2nd MN Calvary, Co A: Saddler: soldier in Indian campaigns in the Dakotas  [2]
  Served Civil War?	Y
  Military Flag	Y
  Historical Notes	Excerpt from “The War of the Rebellion; A COMPILATION OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES.” PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF The Hon. DANIEL S. LA MONT, Secretary of War Headquarters Minnesota Brigade, Northwestern Indian Expedition Camp No. 89, Fort Ridgely, Minn., October 9, 1861. Captain: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the Minnesota or Second Brigade of the Northwestern Indian Expedition, ordered from this district to join Brigadier-General Sully on the Missouri River: The force, consisting of the Eighth Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, mounted, six companies of the Second Minnesota Cavalry Volunteers, one section of 6-pounder smooth bore guns, and one section of 12-pounder mountain howitzers, all brass pieces, a corps of forty-five scouts, with a train of ninety-three six mule teams and twelve ambulances, was rendezvoused at this camp on the 1st day of June, 1864, and took up the line of march on the 6th of June, with thirty days' rations, via the Minnesota and Intpah Rivers and Captain Sully's trail, to Goose Nest Lake on the Minnesota Coteau; from thence to the James River below the mouth of Elm River; from thence to the headwaters of said river, at the foot of the Missouri Coteau; across it to the Bois Cache Creek and down to Swan Lake Creek, which we struck at a point seven miles from the Missouri River, and joined General Sully's command on the 30th day of June, having marched 332 miles. July 4, marched for Long Lake River; arrived on the 8th; ninety-nine miles. Opposite this point General Sully located Fort Rice. The whole command crossed the river on steam-boats and prepared for a campaign against the Indians, which consumed eleven days. Leaving Fort Rice on the 19th of July, marching up the Cannon Ball River for five days, nearly a west course, thence one day's march north to the Heart River, 110 miles. At this point the main train, with 125 Idaho emigrant wagons that had followed us from Minnesota, were corralled, and, taking six days' rations in light wagons, started north in search of the Indian camp, reported to be on Knife River. On the third day after crossing Knife River we arrived in sight of the enemy's camp, located on a plateau, or succession of rough land, with great rugged buttes overhanging it. The position for defense and safety could not have been better, being protected in front by almost impassable wooded ravines, and in rear, as soon as the hills were ascended through narrow chasms, they were safe from pursuit, except from dismounted men or the equally active Indian ponies belonging to the enemy. For particulars of the engagement please refer to my official report to Brigadier-General Sully, of the date of July 28 and 20. Returned to Heart River July 30, having marched in six days 172 miles, and fought the battle of Tahkahokuty. Starting from this point August 3, we reached the Little Missouri River August 7, eighty-three miles and a half. At this point the Indians again made their appearance, and made some slight offensive demonstrations, which were easily quieted. The country for sixteen miles before reaching the river had been of the most terrible and indescribable character, and continued so for twenty miles beyond. On the morning of the 8th of August, in making an egress from the river bottom, the battle of the Little Missouri, or “The hills that look at each other,” commenced and was fought during that and the succeeding day. (A report of the operations of the brigade during the battles of that date inclosed.) From the best information it has been ascertained that the Indians that were first encountered at Tahkahokuty had been largely re-enforced by other bands and returned war parties, and certainly felt confident, with the advantages of position (which could not have been better chosen by an enemy), of an easy victory. It certainly was the largest body of Indians ever assembled on the American continent to fight a battle. The Minnesota brigade having the advance in the battle of the 8th instant, hail the honor of encountering this immense horde, and fighting nearly all of them through the day, whipping and driving them about twelve miles. Commencing at 7 a.m., the fight was continued until dark of a long summer day, without water, and the thermometer at 110 degrees in the shade. Over buttes, through ravines, rocks, and stones, the wild yells and rapid dashes of the savages, the troop pressed forward with a courage and untiring energy that rapidly overcame all obstacles, and night closed the wild wake, and the men laid down on their arms in line of battle, eager for the morning's light, to again commence the work of death. Hundreds of the savages lay along the hill-side and ravines. Our loss was but 7 wounded, and a few horses. The Indian shotguns and bows and arrows were no match for the accurate aim and long range of our rifles and carbines, and when the artillery sent shell into their assemblies on the hills and into their retreats in ravines, the cowardly rascals soon learned that they were no match for soldiers that had come 1,000 miles to fight them. During the 9th instant they entirely disappeared, and our march was continued to the Yellowstone River, over a country almost devoid of water or grass, and two-thirds rations for the men, a distance of 104 miles. Two small steam-boats met us at this point with rations for the men, and one ration of corn for the animals, and transported our baggage across the river, the trains and horses fording through water running very rapid and so deep that many of them had to swim. From the 14th to 18th of August was consumed in marching to the Missouri, thirty-two miles, which was crossed by swimming the animals, and on the 21st marched for Fort Berthold, where we arrived on the 28th, 140 miles. A large portion of the distance the grasshoppers had eaten up all vegetation except willows and the very coarsest bottom grass. Marched from Fort Herthold, August 30, to Mai son du Chien, hoping to find the Yanktonais that had crossed from the west side of the Missouri, after their last defeat, and also the Minnesota, bands. Being unable to find them, turned southward and reached Fort Rice, September 9, having marched 163 miles. On the return of the command to Fort Rice, we learned that Captain Fisk's Idaho expedition was surrounded and required assistance to save it from destruction. By order of Brigadier-General Sully I detailed 200 men of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteers, dismounted, and 100 of the Second Minnesota Cavalry, mounted, with a full complement of officers, as part of the relieving force, and having been relieved from duty with the Northwestern Indian Expedition started for Fort Wadsworth, September 15; marched by way of Long Lake, crossing the James River a few miles below the Bone Hills, and reaching the fort September 20; distance, 200 miles. Having been directed to relieve the battalion of the Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry at this post, Major Rose, with Companies B, C, D, and H, Second Minnesota Cavalry, was detached for that purpose. Major Clowney's battalion, on being relieved, joined the command, marching on the 29th September and reaching this post October 8, four months and three days after our departure. In that time we have marched 1,625 miles. The behavior of both officers and men has been all that could be desired; their cheerful obedience to all orders, prompt and energetic execution of duty, their patient endurance on long and trying marches, and their bravery and irresistible fighting qualities, have not only endeared them to the hearts of their superior officers but stamped them as true and disciplined soldiers. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. T. THOMAS, Colonel Eighth Minnesota Volunteers, Commanding Brigade. Capt. R. C. Olin, Assistant Adjutant-General, District of Minnesota
  Died	Abt 1867	Lanark, Carroll, Illinois
  Person ID	I1440	Main
  Last Modified	18 Oct 2023

  
  

  Father	William DAME,   b. 1 Apr 1795,   d. 1849, Biddeford, York, Maine  (Age 53 years)
  Mother	Annie FOGG,   b. 9 Nov 1802,   d. 1839, Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire  (Age 36 years)
  Married	2 Dec 1819  [3]
  Family ID	F460	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map		Born - 1839 - Ossipee, Carroll, New Hampshire  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Notes

  The 2nd Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was mustered in at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. for three year's service on December 5, 1863, and were mustered out on November 17, 1865, and May 4, 1866. The 2nd Minnesota Cavalry served entirely in Minnesota and the Dakota Territory, guarding the frontier against the Sioux Indians. Battles and campaigns: Battle of Tah Kah A Kuty or Killdeer Mountain, July 28, 1864. Action at Two Hills, Bad Lands, Little Missouri River, August 8 to 9, 1864. Rescue of Fisk's Emigrant train, September 10 to 30,1864. Colonel Robert N. McLaren Casualties and total strength: The 2nd Minnesota Cavalry lost 4 enlisted men killed in action or died of wounds received in battle and an additional 3 officers and 56 enlisted men died of disease. Total fatalities were 63.

  
  

• Sources

  [S10] DAME. The Dame Genealogy, Bryden, Rev G. MacLaren, (Richmond, VA. 1890). [S77] Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, National Park Service. [S1] New England Historical and Genealogical Register, The, (NEHGS, Boston, MA), 94:392.