Fort Rice facts for kids

Fort Rice was a military fort built in the 1800s. It was located in what is now North Dakota. The fort was named after James Clay Rice, a general from the American Civil War. In the Lakota language, its name is Psíŋ Otȟúŋwahe, which means "Wild Rice Village."

Building and History

This painting shows what Fort Rice might have looked like.

General Alfred Sully first built Fort Rice in 1864. His soldiers from the 30th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment helped build it. Later, a different group of soldiers took over. These were former Confederate soldiers who had joined the Union army.

The fort was built north of the Cannonball River and south of the Heart River. The builders used materials found nearby. They used cottonwood logs for walls and supports. Prairie sod was used for the roofs.

In 1868, the fort was rebuilt. The old buildings were taken down. New ones were put up in their place. The fort became a large square shape. It measured 864 feet by 544 feet. It had 10-foot-high wooden walls around it. By 1875, the fort had many buildings. These included a guardhouse, a library, a hospital, and homes for soldiers and officers.

Today, the State Historical Society of North Dakota protects the fort area. It is called the Fort Rice State Historic Site. You can find it about 30 miles south of Mandan, North Dakota. Visitors can still see where the old buildings once stood. There are also markers that explain the area's history.

How the Fort Was Used

Fort Rice was a key meeting place. It sometimes connected the United States government with the Sioux Nation. Important meetings were held there. Treaties, which are agreements, were also signed at the fort.

Even though there was often tension, the fort was very important. It served as a vital outpost on the frontier. The US government used it for many things. Explorers started their trips from the fort. It also helped keep travelers, railway surveyors, and workers safe. This protection was needed from attacks by Native American tribes and wild animals.

Important Events and People

The First Winter at Fort Rice

The first winter at Fort Rice was very hard for the soldiers. Many men got sick and died. Most of them died from scurvy. This illness is caused by not getting enough vitamins from food. Seven soldiers also died from attacks by Lakota tribesmen.

The Lakota people believed the land where the fort was built belonged to them. Building the fort there went against the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851). Lakota leaders asked for the fort to be removed. Famous Sioux leaders like Sitting Bull even attacked the fort's supplies. They hoped to make the soldiers leave.

Treaty of Fort Laramie of 1868

The Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868) was a big win for the Lakota people. It helped the Oglala, Miniconjou, and Brulé tribes get a large part of their land back. This treaty was much more successful than the one from 1851. Both sides generally stuck to their promises.

More than 50,000 Sioux people gathered at Fort Rice for the signing. Important leaders like Running Antelope and Two Bears were there. Sitting Bull did not attend, but he sent someone to sign for him.

Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull was a strong leader of the Sioux people. He believed his people should be independent. He often refused peace offers from the US government.

At one point, Sitting Bull led about 400 warriors to attack Fort Rice. The battle lasted for three hours. About a dozen Lakota warriors were killed. Two US soldiers died, and three were hurt. This attack did not succeed in destroying the fort. It also caused Sitting Bull to lose some respect among his people.

Images for kids

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  Matilda Picotte Galpin, also known as Eagle Woman That All Look At.