Fort Bennett

• Name — Fort Bennett • Location — was located in Stanley County, South Dakota at the mouth of the Cheyenne River. The site lies under the waters of Oahe Reservoir. • Built — 1870 • Pushpin Map — South Dakota • In Use — 1870-1891 • Controlled By — United States • Garrison — 17th U.S. Infantry, Companies B and C 11th U.S. Infantry 12th U.S. Infantry, Companies A and K • Past Commanders — Major Robert E.A. Crofton, 17th Infantry Captain Edward P. Pearson, 17th Infantry Capt. Carlisle Boyd, 17th Infantry Capt. John H. Donovan, 17th Infantry Lt. Col. George P. Buell, 11th Infantry Colonel William H. Wood, 11th Infantry Captain Charles A. Wikoff, Company E, 11th Infantry Captain William N. Sage, Company I, 11th Infantry Captain Joseph H. Hurst, Company A, 12th Infantry • Battles — Indian Wars • Great Sioux War of 1876-77 Fort Bennett was originally called the Post at Cheyenne River Agency and was established during the Indian wars in the Department of Dakota by the U.S. Army to control the Sioux.

Cheyenne River Agency was established in 1869, following conclusion of the Fort Laramie Treaty, as agency for the Two Kettle, Sans Arc and Miniconjou Sioux. On May 17, 1870, Companies B and C of the 17th U.S. Infantry, under command of Captain Edward P. Pearson, officially established the "Post at Cheyenne River Agency." It was built next to the agency 7 miles above Fort Sully to afford military protection. Some of the Cheyenne River Indians fought in the Great Sioux War of 1876-77 and, after the surrender, were returned to the agency. On December 30, 1878, the name was changed by General Orders No. 9, Division of the Missouri, to Fort Bennett in honor of Capt. Andrew S. Bennett of the 5th Infantry who was killed September 4, 1878, near Clark's Fork, Montana Territory, in a battle with the Bannock Indians. Fort Bennett was also a focal point of trouble during the Ghost Dance uprising of 1890. In 1891, the Great Sioux Reservation having been reduced and divided, after the ratification, of the treaty of 1889, the fort was abandoned and the Cheyenne River Agency was moved fifty-six miles up the Missouri River, opposite Forest City, Potter County, South Dakota, where administered the affairs of these Indians. As a result of the construction of Oahe Dam, the agency was later moved to Eagle Butte, South Dakota.