Civil War Journal of Reuben Slaymaker, Brackett's Battalion
Reuben Slaymaker was born June 14, 1816, in Frederick County, Maryland. He was the second oldest
of ten children (Caroline, Reuben, Samuel, Lydia Ann, John, Eliza, Mary Emily, Daniel, Henry, Rebecca)
born to Daniel and Susanna (Stoner) Slaymaker. The first was born in 1813. The last was born in 1837.
The first four were born in Maryland. The next five (starting in 1823) were born
in Indiana. Rebecca, the last, was born in Ohio.
Reuben was the second oldest. Henry, his cohort in the Battalion and little brother,
was the second youngest, born June 7, 1834.
Reuben died four days short of his 75th birthday, on June 10, 1891, in Holt County, Nebraska. Henry
died November 4, 1906, 70 years old, also in Holt County.
Henry Slaymaker was born June 7, 1834, in Indiana. He was the ninth of ten children. Henry
died November 4, 1906, 70 years old, in Holt County, Nebraska.
Following is Henry's obituary, from the Atkinson Graphic, the week after his death:
Henry Slaymaker was born in Elizabeth, Harrison county, Indiana, June 7, 1834. The family soon moved to Ohio,
then to Illinois, and in 1856 to Minnesota. In 1858 he was married to Mary E. Davis. Four children were born
to this union, Daniel, Lewis E., Mary E. (now Mrs. Lumsden), and Wesley K., all of whom survive him except the
first who died in infancy.
Mr. Slaymaker enlisted in 1864 in Co. C, Brackett's Battallion, Minn.,
Vol. Cov. and served two years and four months on the frontier, not being discharged for a year after the war
closed. He was a member of Edward Lennox Post No. 39 G.A.R. at Atkinson.
His wife died August 12, 1867. In
1879 he moved with his family, two brothers and two sisters to Nebraska. Another brother came to the state in
the fall of the same year. Of these one brother, Daniel J. and the two sisters, Emily and Rebecca, survive him.
He was a kind, genial friend, and a loving father. Death took him from his home, five miles southwest of
Atkinson, November 4, 1906. Being a believer in a just God he departed this life trusting and believing that all
would be well. Funeral services were conducted at the home on Monday afternoon by Royal D. Waterman, Pastor
of the M.E. church, and the remains were laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Henry in Uniform
Henry, later in life
This transcription of Reuben's Journal came from a transcription done by Diane Pham in 1995.
Here are the notes she made about transcribing it.
7/7/95 The following is a copy of Reuben Slaymaker's diary. Actually it is a copy of a copy. My aunt Avis
Hickerson lent her copy to my daughter Jenny Pham for some school projects. Aunt Avis had made her copy from the
original pencil copies of Reuben Slaymaker. Having had this copy to work with and read this year, made us realize
how really special it is. I thought it would be fun for all of us to have a copy. The computer seemed a good idea
at the time, but I'm a novice at this and I'm sure I made mistakes that you'll catch. But don't look for mistakes,
instead read it and reread it. You'll get a glimpse of one of our early forebearers who was methodical, precise,
strong, and best of all, I think even possessed a unique sense of humor. I have a special advantage living in
Minnesota as I typed this diary I could really picture the area and appreciate the miles in between locations. I felt I
came to know Reuben Slaymaker a little bit and I hope you can find him too. Thank you Aunt Avis for loaning us your
copy, Jenny's projects turned out great. Diane Pham
A subsequent transcription of Diane's transcription was made and entered into a database for use in this site.
As this is now a copy of a copy of a copy, we're a little withdrawn from the original source, but hopefully we've
not strayed far.
Reuben, circa 1864
This site contains a transcription of Reuben Slaymaker's Journal from his years soldiering in the Dakota Territory during the Civil War.
Brothers Reuben and Henry Slaymaker were volunteer soldiers in Brackett's Battalion, part of the Union Army First Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry based out of Fort Snelling, which was near Minneapolis. The brothers enlisted after Brackett's Battalion returned from service in the south during the Civil War. The Battalion was reassigned to the Northwest Indian Expedition, where the Slaymaker brothers served for two years until their unit was disbanded.
Reuben was 48 when he enlisted in the early spring of 1864. Henry, who joined with him, was 30.
Reuben and Henry were members of Company C in Bracketts' Battalion. Reuben listed his residence in the first journal as Bear Valley Wabesha County Minnesota.
The travels of Reuben and Henry through the Fort Randall area along what is now the Nebraska/South Dakota border played a role in their choice to emigrate to that area a decade after their service in the Battalion. Ultimately, the brothers and their families settled southwest of Atkinson, Nebraska, and they were among the very first settlers of that area. If you travel to that area today, you will find the Slaymakers continue to be well represented. Reuben
and Henry are both buried at Woodlawn Cemetary in Atkinson.
One of Henry's sons was named Wesley Knowlton Slaymaker. You can
read his obituary (from January, 1946) in which the historic nature of their settlement is noted. Wesley K. Slaymaker's grandson, also named Wesley, served his country in the Pacific.
Another soldier in the Battalion, Robert H. Davis, was the uncle of Bertha Davis, Wesley K. Slaymaker's wife.
There are a few excellent web sites that cover the Battalion.
Brackett's Battalion HQ - This site contains
a good deal of historical information on the Battalion, including an
excellent map showing much of the territory that that Reuben and Henry covered with the Battalion.
Reuben and Henry participated in some historic events.
On September 11, 1864, Reuben writes
"Started to relief of Fisk..." This refers to the (Capt. James L.) Fisk Wagon Train, which was
traveling across North Dakota, lightly guarded, headed for Montana to the gold fields.
The party came under attack by Sioux. Fisk circled his wagons and built sod walls around to protect
from attacks. They resisted attacks for 10 days, although 8 civilians and dozens of cavalry were
killed in the rescue. It appears that among the rescue party were Reuben and Henry. On September 20,
Reuben writes: "Marched 18 miles arrived at Fisks' Corrall - Camped on Indian Creek - Stood Picket."
Next day, he notes: "Fisk and Idaho Train after long council starts back to Fort Rice."
From the Journal, 1864 appears to have been a more eventful year for the troop than 1865.
Winter of 1864, Reuben and Henry had quarters at Fort Ridgley in southcentral Minnesota. Winter of
1865, the quarters were at Fort Randall on what is now the South Dakota/Nebraska border.
Journal Highlights
1864
May 2. Depart Fort Snelling for the first time.
May 2 - June 7. On the way to Fort Randall.
June 8 - 15. March to Fort Sully.
June 16 - 24. Laid over at Fort Sully.
June 25 - July 10. On the way to Fort Rice. Not a direct march. About 180 miles.
June 28: "Chan Fielding shot at 12 O'clock and Died at Three. Three Indians killed and
their heads brought in and stuck up on a pole." July 11 - 18. Laid over at Fort Rice.
July 19 - 29. Almost daily skirmishes with Indians. July 28: "Marched 20 miles fought Indians
six hours - Killed 112. Took Smokey Hill and camped near where the battle was fought." July 29:
"Marched 5 miles further. Turned back to Smokey Hill Shot Indian dogs, burned their plunder -
marched five miles and camped." July 30 - August 12. Marched to Yellowstone River in Idaho Territory. 231 miles of marching. Some
skirmishes with Indians along the way.
August 14. "Had Buffalo and Black-Tailed deer for Breakfast." August 14 - 17. On the way to Fort Union. 37 miles of marching.
August 21 - September 9. Back to Fort Rice. 184 miles of marching.
September 11 - 20. Directly west from Fort Rice to relieve Fisk Wagon Train. 160 miles. Some Indian trouble
along the way. September 16: "Had Indians come into camp at daylight stampeed the horses.
Left Sullys trail - turned to left - level prairie - Indians drove away 15 horses." September 20. Arrive Fisk Corral.
September 21 - 30. March back to Fort Rice.
October 2 - 21. March back south to Fort Randall. 335 miles of marching, according to Reuben.
October 22 - November 9. Marched 342 back northeast to southern Minnesota, to Fort Ridgley.
November 10 - March 16, 1865. In Winter Quarters at Fort Ridgley.
1865
January 17. "Colonel Fondes House Burned." March 17 - 20. Travelling home on Furlough.
March 20 - April 3. Home on Furlough.
April 5. Arrived back at St. Peter (near Fort Ridgley).
April 5 - 16. Laid over at St. Peter.
April 17 - 30. Marched to near Sioux City. 206 miles.
May 1 - June 10. Laid over.
June 11 - 16. March to Fort Randall. 119 miles.
June 17 - 23. March to near Fort Sully. 140 miles.
June 24 - July 4. Laid over.
July 5 - 13. March to Fort Rice. 188 miles.
July 14 - 22. Laid over at Fort Rice.
July 23 - August 1. Northeast from Fort Rice to Devil's Lake. 120 miles.
July 31: "So Ends Fifteen Months." August 2 - 8. West from Devil's Lake to near Fort Berthold. 144 miles.
August 9 - 20. Laid over at Fort Berthold.
August 21 - 25. Marched to Fort Rice. 97 miles. August 22: "Camped lost." August 26 - September 4. Laid over near Fort Rice. August 28: "Jamison shot two Indians." September 5 - 13. Marched to Fort Sully. 191 miles.
September 14 - October 3. Laid over at Fort Sully. September 28: "Horses Strayed." September 29:
"Horses Returned." October 4 - 8. Marched to Fort Randall. 134 miles.
October 9 - 12. Laid over.
October 13 - April 27, 1866. Winter Quarters at Fort Randall.
November 11: "Mill burnt."
1866
April 28 - May 8. Marched to Sioux City. 131 miles.
May 9 - 20. Marched, rode train, rode steamer, back to St. Paul and Fort Snelling.
May 21 - 23. Laid over at Fort Snelling.
May 24. "Mustered out of Service. Went to St. Paul. Put up at Snelling house." May 26. "Arrived at home."
Reuben's Journal, containing well over 700 entries, spans the period from May 2nd, 1864, as he left Fort Snelling with the Battalion for the first time, to May 26th, 1866, when he arrived home for the last time. The entries were contained in two separate notebooks.
Most of the entries are very brief, often a single word commenting on the weather, such as "Fair" or "Cloudy," or making a simple record of the day's activities, as in "Laid over" or "Mustered for pay." The most common entries note the day's march: "Marched 32 miles camped at Little Sioux."
This site contains a transcription of Reuben Slaymaker's Journal from his years soldiering in the Dakota Territory during the Civil War.
Brothers Reuben and Henry Slaymaker were volunteer soldiers in Brackett's Battalion, part of the Union Army First Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry based out of Fort Snelling, which was near Minneapolis. The brothers enlisted after Brackett's Battalion returned from service in the south during the Civil War. The Battalion was reassigned to the Northwest Indian Expedition, where the Slaymaker brothers served for two years until their unit was disbanded.
Reuben was 48 when he enlisted in the early spring of 1864. Henry, who joined with him, was 30.
Reuben and Henry were members of Company C in Bracketts' Battalion. Reuben listed his residence in the first journal as Bear Valley Wabesha County Minnesota.
The travels of Reuben and Henry through the Fort Randall area along what is now the Nebraska/South Dakota border played a role in their choice to emigrate to that area a decade after their service in the Battalion. Ultimately, the brothers and their families settled southwest of Atkinson, Nebraska, and they were among the very first settlers of that area. If you travel to that area today, you will find the Slaymakers continue to be well represented. Reuben
and Henry are both buried at Woodlawn Cemetary in Atkinson.
One of Henry's sons was named Wesley Knowlton Slaymaker. You can
read his obituary (from January, 1946) in which the historic nature of their settlement is noted. Wesley K. Slaymaker's grandson, also named Wesley, served his country in the Pacific.
Another soldier in the Battalion, Robert H. Davis, was the uncle of Bertha Davis, Wesley K. Slaymaker's wife.
There are a few excellent web sites that cover the Battalion.
Brackett's Battalion HQ - This site contains
a good deal of historical information on the Battalion, including an
excellent map showing much of the territory that that Reuben and Henry covered with the Battalion.
