Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Monday, September 16, 2013

U.S.- Dakota War of 1862

The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 is a significant event in the history and development of the state of Minnesota and in the long and complex history of the Dakota people and the United States.  Between 1805 and 1858 treaties made between the U.S. government reduced Dakota lands and significantly altered Minnesota’s physical, cultural and political landscape The treaties were major factors in the lead-up to the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. The treaties established that the Dakota would be paid for their land in yearly installments called “annuities” but in many cases, traders received a portion of these payments directly from the U.S. government because of claims of debts owed to them by the Dakota. By the summer of 1862 the situation for many Dakota families had grown desperate: annuity payments were late due to the U.S. government’s priority in financing the Civil war, some traders at the Indian Agencies refused to extend credit for food and others goods until the Dakota had cash to pay their debts and finally, recent droughts had contributed to poor harvest which left many Dakota families hungry.  Due to these and other factors, tensions within Dakota communities reached a breaking point. On August 17, 1862 killed five people living on farms near Acton, Minnesota. When word of the killings spread to people at the Lower Sioux Reservation, a group of Dakota men argued that it was time to go to war with Minnesota’s European-American settler population to reclaim their ancestral land. While there was no consensus within the Dakota community and many did not agree and some helped protect white settlers, the war was underway. We spent two days visiting the sites of this ancient tragedy three hours west of our home.

 The conflict focused on Minnesota's "frontier" at the time which was the Minnesota River Valley in the southwest. There several Indian Agencies had been established by the Federal Government to supervise the Indians confinement on a narrow reservation along the river.


It was here at the Lower Sioux Agency that trader Andrew Myrick had been informed by the Indian Agent Thomas Galbreath that the "traders paper" that allowed the traders to be paid right from the annuity allotments for what they were owed on credit was not going to be allowed this time, so he responded that they would give no more credit at the  post." So far as I am concerned, if they are hungry let them eat grass or their own dung."  

His comment is considered an inciting factor in the war that began shortly thereafter. Although Myrick escaped from this building when the Dakota attacked he was killed shortly thereafter.  When his body was found sometime later his mouth was stuffed with grass. 

Two days after the attack on the Lower Sioux Agency hundreds of Dakota surrounded Fort Ridgley, a small frontier army post near the town of New Ulm.  It was manned mostly by a small force of volunteer soldiers due to the fact that the regular army had been called east to defend Washington City and The Union. A force of about forty soldiers had been sent to defend New Ulm and were ambushed nearby at a crossing on the Minnesota river and mostly killed.  The fort was left with only a few soldiers and large number of settlers who had fled there for shelter.
  We hiked down from the fort to the river to look at the site of the ambush….
More later......
 
 
 
 



 

 

17 comments:

  1. An interesting area. I used to fish around there and my Dad always enjoyed going into the tavern and trying out his German with a few locals. The Poncas across the river from me recovered their land.

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  2. Interesting history. And it looks like a nice place to explore these days, too.

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  3. Even the darkest days of our history are fascinating. Look forward to more.

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  4. heartwrenching to remember the treatment we (american settlers) gave to so many.

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  5. Very interesting! Looking forward to more!

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  6. How often innocents have to suffer the actions of the few greedy ones who are in charge. Such a sad account for those on both sides.

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  7. Last year 2012 I did a series on the Historical Museums Blog. A lady in town was present for the massacre when she was just 16 years old, and she tells the story from her view point. Here is the link. I think it was an eight part series. :)
    http://hubbardcountyhistoricalmuseum.areavoices.com/2012/07/19/150-years-ago-part-one/

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  8. Our dealing with the aboriginals and their land claims and treaties was worse than Awful. In Canada , I don't think we're much better now.
    Well told just like an old social studies teacher!

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  9. It is an interesting history that I really don't see in American History books. Thanks for bringing up the story.

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  10. Thank you for sharing this interesting historical information. It must have been fascinating to visit the sites associated with U.S. - Dakota war. This episode has been completely overshadowed by the Civil War.

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  11. Sounds like you all had a very meaningful historic trip... When we visit places where there had been battles and deaths---I always get a knot in the pit of my stomach. BUT--not enough people care about history and how we got to where we are now... We ALL need to take more historical trips around our nation.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  12. Fascinating place...and lovely photos.

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  13. That is a lot of rocks on that house!!
    If only the walls could talk I am sure they would hold many more stories!
    xo Catherine

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  14. I fear that whenever we feel exceptional or better than others, nothing good can come of it. My daughter is thinking of moving to MN.

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  15. A fascinating if bloody slice of history. It's nice to see the land now in a more peaceful light without forgetting the past.

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  16. I am thinking I was not listening in American history class, since this is all news to me. I did have the History teacher from hell, she was the meanest teacher i had in all 12 years. she hated students. so i am blaming it on her.
    do you have a photo of your cactus? send it to me at madsnapper@tampabay.rr.com and maybe i can identify it.

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  17. Perfect trip for you and Mrs. P. Hope you both are well. :)

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