The Dakota Territory

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The Dakota Territory

Dakota Territories

1870 - 1875

24th Regiment US Army Co B

Fort Ripley, Minnesota

Fort Wadsworth, North Dakota

20th Regiment US Army, Co B

Fort Sisserton, South Dakota

Charles William Cole

In 1870 ,the railroads began their expansion West. Charles was ready for a new adventure. On June 7, 1870, he enlisted in Providence, RI for the third time of his young life. He was 25 years and six months old. His occupation was listed at Fireman, probably on an oyster boat powered by steam. The oyster company was located near the Washington Bridge in East Providence. He always returned to this line of work with his brother Arnold between enlistments. He joined the Twentieth Infantry, Company B, US Army and was sent to Fort Wadsworth (Fort Sisserton) Dakota Territory.

Wagon Train from Fort Sisseton,

Dakota Territory

On August 31, 1871, Company B escorted a surveying party of the Northern Pacific RR to Fort Rice and then to the Yellowstone River. They marched 660 miles. While at Fort Sisserton their duties were to keep the peace and to protect the new settlers and the railroad crews from Indian attacks.

Company B, Twentieth Infantry was then assigned to Fort Cross[Fort Seward] Dakota Territory on May 4, 1872. Charles did not leave with his unit at that time. By November he was at Fort Seward where he performed duties similar to those of his duties at Fort Sisserton. While there, he received a Court Martial on June 30, 1873, and he had to forfeit $5.00 pay for one month. I would like to know what happened!

Company B left Fort Seward on October 12, 1873 and arrived at Fort Ripley, Minnesota on October 14, 1873. Charles finished his tour of duty with the Twentieth in June of 1875. He was honorably discharged from Fort Ripley, Minnesota

He returned home to Rhode Island after serving eleven years in the military. He was only 30 years old.


	Footsteps Through Time \| Home The War With King Philip \| The French and Indian Wars \| The Revolutionary War \| The Civil War \| The Dakota Territory \| The World Wars The Dakota Territory Dakota Territories 1870 - 1875 24th Regiment US Army Co B Fort Ripley, Minnesota Fort Wadsworth, North Dakota 20th Regiment US Army, Co B Fort Sisserton, South Dakota Charles William Cole In 1870 ,the railroads began their expansion West. Charles was ready for a new adventure. On June 7, 1870, he enlisted in Providence, RI for the third time of his young life. He was 25 years and six months old. His occupation was listed at Fireman, probably on an oyster boat powered by steam. The oyster company was located near the Washington Bridge in East Providence. He always returned to this line of work with his brother Arnold between enlistments. He joined the Twentieth Infantry, Company B, US Army and was sent to Fort Wadsworth (Fort Sisserton) Dakota Territory. Wagon Train from Fort Sisseton, Dakota Territory On August 31, 1871, Company B escorted a surveying party of the Northern Pacific RR to Fort Rice and then to the Yellowstone River. They marched 660 miles. While at Fort Sisserton their duties were to keep the peace and to protect the new settlers and the railroad crews from Indian attacks. Company B, Twentieth Infantry was then assigned to Fort Cross[Fort Seward] Dakota Territory on May 4, 1872. Charles did not leave with his unit at that time. By November he was at Fort Seward where he performed duties similar to those of his duties at Fort Sisserton. While there, he received a Court Martial on June 30, 1873, and he had to forfeit $5.00 pay for one month. I would like to know what happened! Company B left Fort Seward on October 12, 1873 and arrived at Fort Ripley, Minnesota on October 14, 1873. Charles finished his tour of duty with the Twentieth in June of 1875. He was honorably discharged from Fort Ripley, Minnesota He returned home to Rhode Island after serving eleven years in the military. He was only 30 years old.