Philippe Regis Trobriand here, with a story from the Totten Trail. It was fall in North Dakota. Six men were traveling back to the fort with mules and wagons, one of which was carrying the mail. They made a midday rest stop near Big Coulee to rest and recharge. Little did they know, they were about to be ambushed.

When they arrived at Big Coulee, they unhitched the mules from the wagon and retreated to the shade, and recklessly left their weapons in the wagons. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only irresponsible decision made by the men. No sentinel was placed on watch, a disobedience from the sergeant that would prove to be fatal. They were ambushed by six Indians, who watched and waited for the unarmed men to sit down to enjoy their dinner. Three men, including the sergeant, were killed almost instantly. The remaining three scrambled for their weapons, but it was too late. The Indians ran off with the mules, bullets fired in their direction from a distance. One of the couriers raced back to report the deadly news.

Immediately, Captain Hill, and his team of thirty men, were dispatched to retrieve the mail wagon and the soldiers who had escaped the attack. They’d only find the mail though, because the soldiers had left the unharmed wagon, mail, and the bodies of their comrades behind, hiding their weapons in hopes they wouldn’t fall into the hands of the Indians if they returned. Capital Hill returned with the three bodies and the letters, correspondence, and newspapers, which I later delivered to Fort Stevenson. News traveled fast about the attack at Big Coulee, and our men were on the lookout, committed to protecting themselves.

Soon after, I made the 125-mile journey between Fort Totten and Fort Stevenson. Totten to Big Coulee. From there, it was to the Midway Station followed by a trek to Clear Lake. Finally, I arrived at Fort Stevenson where I stayed for 25 days, and enjoyed the plentiful hunting and fishing. It was a pleasant fort to be at.