CHAPTER XXX
THE SIXTH IOWA CAVALRY
THIS regiment was recruited from the State at large in the year 1862 and the early part of 1863. The Sioux Indians in the northwest, taking advantage of the Civil War in progress had, in 1862, begun a war of extermination upon the settlers in western Minnesota, in which many hundred men, women and children had been massacred. The Government was organizing two armies on the frontier to punish the Indians and protect the settlers. One of these armies was to move up the east side of the Missouri River. The army at Sioux City was under command of General John Cook.
The Sixth Cavalry was organized by the appointment of the following officers: Colonel David S. Wilson of Dubuque; Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel M. Pollock; Majors Thomas M. Shepherd, E. P. Ten-Broek, A. E. House; Adjutant Rufus L. Miller. When starting for Sioux City on the 16th of March, 1863, the regiment numbered about 1,100 men. Soon after reaching Camp Cook, in Dakota Territory, on the 26th of April, a report was brought to the camp that a large band of Indians was threatening Fort Randall, which was garrisoned by a small force under command of Major John Pattee. One battalion of the Sixth Cavalry under Major Ten-Broek was ordered to march at once to Fort Randall to reinforce the garrison. On the 22d of May another battalion under Major Shepherd was ordered to proceed to the fort accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Pollock, who was di-
