The dam location is in Charles Mix and Gregory counties, 6 miles north of the Nebraska line and 7 miles south of Lake Andes (Map 1). The only major permanent tributary flowing into the reservoir is the V\^iite River, 11 miles below Chamberlain on the right bank of the Missouri River. Indian agencies were established in connection with many military posts - Whetstone was both an agency and a military camp. Lower Brule Agency was protected by Fort LowerBrule; Fort Hale (formerly known as Fort LowerBrule) and Fort Lookout were located north of Chamberlain to protect white settlers from the Sioux and theoretically protect the rights of Native Americans on the reservations (Map 1).
PAP.Na'l^T' HISTORICAL SITES ARCHEOLOGY — MULLE 33 views about life at posts and days of this kind that played such an important role at such an important time in the development and westward expansion of the American frontier. The church was built in 1872 by soldiers of the post and was used as a chapel, library and Odd Fellows Hall. This building, formerly located near the post parade grounds, was moved by early settlers around the turn of the century, according to local informants, to the south side of RandallCreek, about a half mile or so.
Further excavation was therefore recommended due to the possibility of site destruction resulting from construction activities at the nearby Fort Randall Dam. It is on the first terrace of the right bank of the Missouri River in Gregory County, J. An intrusive rectangular ditch was located 7.5 feet north of the northernmost part of the brickwork (Fig. 1).
The southern and western arms of the ditch indicated its association with the brick mortar area.
ARTIFACTS
However, an obscure feature of the site was the absence of a fire pit or kiln that functioned as a heating unit for brick making. The bricks found in situ probably represent the last kiln brick production. Some of the bricks that fill the surface around the ruins of the fort were made in St.
Bricks from this commercial center were brought to Fort Randall early in its history, as appears from the records of the quartermaster general's office:^. Louis proves that no brick making was going on at the time, for Colonel Lee declared "I cannot find any person in this command that knows how to make bricks" and added "Though the clay here will answer the purpose". The rest of the artefacts were fragmentary bottle glasses, porcelain and pieces of metal of undetermined origin and date.
SUMMARY STATEMENT
The site is located in a cultivated field on the first terrace of the right bank of the Missouri River, half a mile north of the confluence of Whetstone Creek and the Missouri in Gregory County, J. North of the town, across a narrow channel of the Missouri River lies Whetstone Island, covered with a forest of cottonwood and cedar. The terraces on the west side of the river are relatively flat in this area, but are quite steep on the east side of the river.
EXCAVATION
After the discovery of the corals, an exploratory trench 92.5 feet long (p. 5, h) revealed a row of cedar post backlogs. Continued excavation of the area to the south of this northern wall provided a clearly defined trench (pi.4, a and fig.2) forming an irregular rectangle surrounding the boundaries of the site. Postal remains were found only on the north and southeast walls of the board.
An intrusive pit measuring 5.0 square feet was found outside the northwest corner of the fence (Fig. 2). Areas of burnt hay were found in the north-central and western part of the excavation (Fig. 2). Burnt matting was found in the north-central part of the enclosure and indicates human occupation.
Charred posts remain in the north wall and a general burning of the area suggests final destruction by fire while the site was used as a supply depot. The well measured over 18 feet in depth, but the exact depth was undeterminable due to the sand seeping in. Two L-shaped hinge spikes found near the center of the north wall on the basement floor may indicate a door in that area.
8, i) was also in the well, and an iron plate (pi, 8,h) lying near this part may have been part of the same weapon. Well-formed boot swords are the square-tipped variety of the period. One specimen has an hourglass design formed by a number of crossed lines with a feather-like appearance at the back of the design (p. 7, i).
A site of white provenance located at one of the proposed sites of Fort Lower Brule Avasintested. Originally established at the LowerBrule Indian Agency, FortHale was moved to the fifth terrace of the right bank of the Missouri River, 13 miles upstream from Oacoma in Lyman County to the south. At that time, it was discovered that most of the construction sites and the parade ground had been washed away into the river.
The author visited the site in the summer of 1952 and found its last remains destroyed by the Missouri River flood of the same year. Despite the intensive and extensive investigation of the area by this party, the results were negative.
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Tliepost had significant significance in the early history of the area in connection with the Leavenwortli Expedition of 1823 and many other historical events of the time. Fort Randall's brick kiln area after excavation shows rows of bricks and raised strips of mortar;
