Dakota Datebook: Chaska, Indian Scout

Chaska was a well-respected Indian scout for the 1863 Sibley military expedition, highly regarded for his daring rescue of the army’s beef contractor during an Indian attack that year.

However, when Chaska died on Aug. 2 in 1863, he left behind a mystery regarding his full identity. Evidence suggests Chaska may also have been a ranking lieutenant of Little Crow, a leader in the Dakota Conflict of...