Thanks to the Star Tribune and reporter Curt Brown for the wonderful and enlightening six-part series on Little Crow and the Dakota history in Minnesota ("In the footsteps of Little Crow," Aug. 12-17). The work was outstanding and award-worthy. A couple of years ago, my husband and I sought information on his Irish-American Indian roots that began in the 1800s. Our trip took us to Detroit Lakes, Pelican Rapids and Fergus Falls, where we found a wealth of information about his White Earth Band of Ojibwe ancestors.
We could not be more pleased to have found his roots here in Minnesota. However, one of the realities of life is that we also found that his Irish great-grandfather -- at age 40, married and with several children -- was among 500 men in the area called upon by President Abraham Lincoln to join the Civil War. Before they headed east, their mission was changed and they were ordered to head to "Western Front" to fight the Sioux Indians. All so complicated then -- but we are at least grateful to know the history of this part of his family, and we celebrate them.
DIANE AND JACK LACY, EDINA
