Prisoners from Ft. Marion (1875-1878)

The first page opened with an article titled "THE INDIAN TRAINING SCHOOL," that described the progress of the school, its Christian methods, the work of the former Ft. Marion prisoners of war preparing buildings for use, the importance of the town Sunday Schools, the school curriculum that emphasized farmwork for boys and housekeeping for girls…

Page one opened with a teacher identified as A.J.S. (Alfred J. Standing) reminiscing about his time teaching Native Americans before he came to Carlisle. Also on the page was an article signed by "G. Le R. B." (George Le Roy Brown) on the civilization of the Indians, comparing it to the conquests of the Roman Empire and its assimilation of less…

Page one opened with information, including statistics, from the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs about Carlisle and other schools as reported by Indian agents. Page two contains more arguments for, and accounts of support for, educating Indian youth. The article "Our Dining Hall" describes the physical space, the work the…

An excerpt from the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secretary of Indian Affairs for the fiscal year ending 1880, containing the first annual report of the Carlisle Indian School. The report discusses the school's opening, recruitment of students, educational and industrial curricula, and overall health. Also included…

Portrait of White Bear, Zonkeuh, Koba, Henry Roman Nose, Little Chief, Charles Oheltoint, Etadleuh Doanmoe, and White Man posed on the grounds of the school. 

Note: The Cumberland County Historical Society notes the identification of these people is based on a copy of the image posted for sale on eBay. That copy was identitied as "No. 27…

Richard H. Pratt states that he currently has 57 male students at Hampton and is looking to recruit 20 female students. He goes on to say that he plans to send most of the former Ft. Marion prisoners currently enrolled at Hamtpon on outings, believing that placing Indian students in white families where they will learn a trade will help give…

Richard H. Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that it will take a week to place the male students from Hampton on farms in Massachusetts and then he will travel to Florida. Pratt expects to place a dozen male students on farms in Berkshire County as well.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives…

Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that he is giving permission to Lieutenant Richard Henry Pratt to proceed to Lee, Massachusetts. Bell notes that Pratt will secure current Hampton Institute students who are on outing and take them to the Carlisle Barracks. These Hampton students will become…

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt for instructions on how to process donations received for the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that he received a donation for the continued education of a former prisoner-of-war held at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida. He requests specific instructions on how or…

Captain Richard Henry Pratt writes to Ezra H. Hayt, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, regarding the first group of Sioux, Ponca, Pawnee, Kiowa, Comanche, Wichita, Seminole, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe children and young adults brought to the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt offers a detailed description of the journey, and then lists each individual…

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt suggesting the return home of the former Ft. Marion prisoners, who had gone to Hampton and then Carlisle following their release. Pratt notes that they have been very helpful both at Carlisle and in general in generating good will among their people, and that sending them…