WILLIAM DUTE PAPERS

Collection

Identifier: WH626

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Correspondence from Dute to his family comprises the bulk of the collection. Also included are copies of military records, articles and a class paper about William Dute written by Scott Waters in the 1980s.

Collection also available on microfilm: Mflm 197.

SERIES 1 CORRESPONDENCE 1859-1864 BOX 1

This series consists of Dute's correspondence to his relatives in Pennsylvania. He wrote to his brothers, sisters and mother about his experiences in the west. The correspondence contains vivid descriptions of mining and army life. He also describes the countryside and food (for example, Dute explains how the Pueblo Indians make their sweet bread). He writes about miners, Native Americans and soldiers.

Each original letter has a corresponding photocopy and a typed transcription. Because the letters are fragile, it is recommended that the transcriptions be used.

SERIES 2 RESEARCH 1974-1984 BOX 1

This series consists of research materials about Dute including copies of his military records, articles and a class paper and a class paper about William Dute written by Scott Waters in the 1980s.

Dates

1859-1984, undated

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Copyright

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Biographical / Historical

William Dute was born in Venango County, Pennsylvania in 1837. He left home in 1859 and worked in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas from 1859 to 1860 en route to the gold fields of Colorado.

In Colorado Territory, Dute worked on a ranch in Bear Creek until 1862 when he traveled to Laurette, Colorado and then to Niggar Gulch mining district. Unsuccessful as a miner, Dute returned to Laurette (which later became known as Buckskin Joe) where Captain Richard Charles Deus recruited him into the Army.

In 1862, Dute enlisted for duty with Company D, 1st Cavalry Regiment, New Mexico Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Kit Carson. Dute was mustered in at Fort Garland, Colorado Territory. He served from 1863 to 1865 in the southwest campaigns against Apache, Navajo and Pueblo Indians. He attained the rank of sergeant but was demoted to private after a dispute with a captain. In March 1865, Dute was transferred to Company M, 1st Cavalry Regiment, New Mexico Volunteers. He was mustered out in August 1865.

Dute re-enlisted in March 1866 in Cincinnati and again attained the rank of sergeant in Company A, 18th U.S. Infantry commanded by Colonel Henry Carrington. He died in the Fetterman massacre at Fort Phil Kearney, Wyoming on December 21, 1866. In 1888, Dute's remains were interred at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.