Louisa Provencalle was a French-Canadian woman who was married to a French-Dakota man. She was taken captive in the first days of the war, and was ultimately released on September 26. Her husband was imprisoned and when she filed the claim in the spring of 1863, she had no idea of his whereabouts. In an attempt to secure a claim, Louisa argued that all lost property had been hers and hers alone.
That she was the owner and in possession of the following personal property--the same being her separate property--purchased by her and with her own means and labor.
Her initial claim was denied on the basis of her being mistaken as a Dakota. However, Thomas Galbraith and Henry H. Sibley both testified on her behalf and she ultimately received compensation.
