FORT BUFORD OFFERS LOOK AT MILITARY LIFE IN MID-1800S
Fort Buford's Sixth Infantry did close order drill, fired their carbines, shot their Napoleon cannon, mountain howitzer and Gatling gun and spent the weekend in wedge tents. Some even brought their wives, who cooked in cast iron pots hung over campfires and did laundry in old tubs. In a thunder shower, Wayne Boyd Sr., a descendant of Sitting Bull and his relatives showed up. Boyd also descends from Sioux chief Santee Iron Ring and would be traditional chief if the tribe didn't operate under its own government.
"Its pretty nice; I enjoy what these fellows are doing here," said Boyd.
Boyd portrays a Sioux scout for occasions Native Americans stage in honoring their past and is interested in other historical portrayals in the area. "I'm the only one," he said of his scout portrayal. "It is something I like to do."
And the statement was in line with what Todd Nygard had to say about his portrayal of an 1800s infantry private with the Sixth. "Its an escape from the 20th Century; it's a good family activity," said the replica soldier. All were participating in the annual Fort Buford Encampment in July. What those participating in the annual encampment at Fort Buford have in common is a love of history, they say.
The Old (Indian) Scouts Society of Fort Berthold also participates in the soldier reunions. "We're representations of the people of the time," said Nygard, adding, "not the sides or philosophies." The Sixth Infantry was formed in 1789 and garrisoned at Fort Buford as a part of the Frontier Army of the Dakota, which had outfits in both Montana and North Dakota, Nygard said. The outfit has only 16 members and is interested in more. The Sixth exchanges its activities with others in the area and in turn draw support from them.
David Finders operated the Suttler's store. He had a variety of canned goods, tobacco, and soap on display that were used by Fort Buford residents and others of that period. Items also included Spencer, Sharps and Henry rifles, plus shotgun, muskets and trade whiskey in a barrel, all parts of the early days. The bottom of one of the traders whiskey barrels was found to contain rattlesnake heads. Finders said the heads had been put into the concoction to "give it a little bite." The trader narrowly escaped with his life upon revelation of the ingredient.
From the point of view of soldier life, Sitting Bull was a constant problem. He and his braves held the fort under siege and made raids on wood and water details. During the winter months, the Sioux chief and his people camped at the confluence across from the fort to get out of the winter wind and have a ready supply of timber and water.