In the late 1800s, a system of military forts was built across Dakota Territory to assert American military presence on the Plains. What was life like for a soldier stationed at one of these isolated forts? Look at the photos below and the objects in this gallery to learn more.
The 15th Infantry Band at Fort Buford, 1887. Each regiment had a band. Music was part of celebrations such as the Fourth of July. The regimental band also played when troops marched out of the post for distant duty. The band may have played the regiment’s favorite tune or a sentimental song such as “The Girl I Left Behind Me.” The regimental tune of the 7th cavalry was “GarryOwen.” SHSND2002-P-017-03
Company “K” of the 15th Infantry at Fort Buford, 1889. When not on duty, soldiers could relax in the barracks, in the library, or at the trader’s store. SHSND 2002-P-017-01
Company “G”, 6th Infantry stands in dress uniform in front of their barracks in the early 1870s.SHSND A5072
The first construction of Fort Buford had a palisade or stockade as did Fort Rice and Fort Abercrombie. Fort Stevenson and Fort Abraham Lincoln did not have stockades. The tall corner structures were called blockhouses. Guards could see a good distance from the blockhouse and could alert the guard if anyone was coming. SHSND B0774
Soldiers relax in the barracks at Fort Yates in the 1890s. Soldiers kept the barracks clean and neat. Each soldier had his own space for a few private possessions as well as his Army issues such as blankets and spare clothing. The soldiers have personalized this barracks with a couple of pictures. SHSND 1952-0370
These barracks at Fort Abraham Lincoln were typical of those in Dakota Territory Army posts. Each company had its own room with a bed for each soldier. Some companies had a cook shack attached to their quarters. Most barracks had racks where soldiers stored their rifles when they were not on guard duty or other detail. SHSND A3113
Though much of Army life was boring, when soldiers were called into the field, they performed their duties very well. These Fort Abraham Lincoln soldiers pose with a gatling gun. Artillery such as this gun and small cannons protected the forts from attack and were used in field maneuvers, as well. SHSND C0895
These soldiers have put up their tents outside the stockade. They built a shelter of branches to shade the tents. Summer details that took soldiers from the fort for several days might require them to use tents for shelter. Often, however, soldiers traveled lightly with little other than a blanket for cover at night. SHSND A4172
