How did this all start? What caused these people
to go on the warpath?
In August, of 1862, annuity payments were late
and rumors circulated that payments, if they were made at all, it would not be in the customary gold because of
the ongoing Civil War. The Dakota planned to demand that future annuity payments be made directly to them, rather
than through traders. Traders, learned of plan, and refused to sell provisions on credit, despite widespread hunger
and starvation, on the reservation. At a meeting called, by Indian Agent Thomas Galbraith, to resolve the impasse,
Andrew Myrick, spokesman for the traders, says: "So far as I am concerned, if they are hungry, let them eat
grass."
These were the words that started the grassfire
of the uprising. On August 17, 1862, four young Dakota killed five settlers near Litchfield. Councils were held,
among the Dakota, on whether to wage war. Despite deep divisions on the issue, war was the chosen course. Then
on August 18, 1862, groups of Dakota killed 44 Americans, in attacks on the Redwood Agency and on federal troops
advancing, towards the Agency, in the hopes of suppressing the uprising. Ten Americans were captured. On August
19, 1862 Sixteen settlers were killed in Dakota attacks, in and around New Ulm. Settlers crowded into a small barricaded
area, of New Ulm's main street.
The Dakota attacked Fort Ridgely on August 20 &
21, 1862. The Fort was successfully defended. On August 23, 1862, about 650 Dakota attacked New Ulm, for a second
time. Most buildings in the town were burned. Although 34 died and 60 were wounded, the town was successfully defended.
On September 2, 1862, in the Battle of Birch Coulee (near Morton), American troops suffered their greatest casualties
of the war.
On September 23, 1862, the battle of Wood Lake
was the decisive victory for American troops. While the Wood Lake fighting was in progress, Dakota opposed, to
continuation, of the war, took control of 269 American captives held near the Chippewa River. On September 26,
1862, "Friendlies" released American captives. Col. Sibley entered the Dakota camp and took 1200 Dakota
men, women, and children into custody. Over the next weeks, an additional 800 Dakota would surrender, to American
forces. In 37 days of fighting, the Dakota Conflict had claimed the lives of over 500 Americans and about 60 Dakota.
The uprising ended and the revenge began. On September
28, 1862 Sibley appointed a five-member military commission to "try summarily" Dakota for "murder
and other outrages" committed against Americans. Sixteen trials took place, that same day. Ten Dakota were
convicted and were sentenced to be hanged, six were acquitted. Over the next six weeks, 393 Dakota were tried.
On November 3, 1862 the last of 393 trials were conducted, with 42 trials taking place, on the last day. In all,
323 Dakota were convicted and 303 were sentenced to be hanged.
Then on December 3, 1862, President Lincoln issued
an order allowing only 39 of the planned 303 executions to go forward. The execution of one additional condemned
man was suspended later, after new evidence cast doubt upon his guilt.
On December 24, 1862 the condemned were allowed
to meet with their families for the last time.
On December 26, the United States executed 38 human
beings for what they did out of hunger and humility.
The greed and arrogance of the Traders and the
Indian Agents in that time and place are legendary. The lack of compassion shown by them, and many of the settlers,
of the time, goes only to show that their standards were 'Justice for Just Us.'
I hope every one of us can learn that a little
compassion can avoid an avalanche of hatred.
There are a number of Historical Locations related to The Uprising in
Minnesota:
1. The Birch Coulee Battlefield near Morton.
2. The Fort Ridgely Historical Center in the Fort Ridgely State Park.
3. The Lower Sioux Agency Historical Center Near Morton.
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