The Sioux Uprising of 1862While the Civil War raged in the East and South, Dakota Indians in Minnesota erupted violently into action against white settlers, igniting the tragic Dakota War of 1862. Hemmed in on a narrow reservation along the upper Minnesota River, the Dakota (Sioux) were frustrated by broken treaties, angered by dishonest agents and traders, and near starvation because of crop failures and late annuity payments. Led by Little Crow, Dakota warriors attacked the Redwood and Yellow Medicine Indian agencies and all whites living on their former lands in south-western Minnesota. They killed more than 450 whites and took some 250 white and mixed-blood prisoners during the 38-day conflict. White civilians and military units commanded by Henry H. Sibley defended towns and forts, pursued warriors, and eventually forced the Indians to surrender or flee westward. The penalties imposed by vengeful whites were swift and devastating. The federal government hanged 38 Dakota men in the largest mass execution in US history, 300 were imprisoned, and the Dakota people were banished from the state. This is the most accessible and balanced account available which draws on a wealth of written and visual materials by white and Indian participants and observers to show the sources of the Dakotas' justified and bitter wrath -- and the terrible consequences of the conflict.--Amazon.com. |
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Abercrombie army arrived attack August band battle began Birch Coulee body Brown buildings camp Captain captives chief Chippewa citizens City Civil Collections Colonel commander Company County Dakota death defense early escaped expedition families fighting fire five Flandrau force Fort Ridgely four frontier guard head History horses hundred Indians John Jones killed Lake later Lieutenant Little Crow lived Lower Agency Lower Sioux Mankato miles military Minnesota Minnesota River Mississippi morning mounted moved murder named night ordered party Paul PHOTO prairie prisoners reached Redwood Regiment Release remained reservation returned Ridgely River sent September settlers shot Sibley Sibley's side Sioux Uprising Snelling soldiers soon taken Territory took town traders treaty troops United uprising Valley village wagons whites wife Williamson women Wood wounded