Fort Ridgley was established in 1851 by the 6th U.S. Infantry to watch over the Dakota Sioux Indian Agency and maintain peace between the settlers and the Sioux. During the Civil War, the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry was stationed there.
Fort Ridgley, Minnesota
August 20-22, 1862
In August of 1862, the Santee Sioux of Minnesota were very angry at the Federal Government for not providing them money and giving them poor rations.
Under the direction of Chief Little Crow, they killed 800 of the new settlers and Union Soldiers and captured many prisoners. They caused extensive property damage across the Minnesota River Valley. Civilians found refuge at Fort Ridgely, about twelve miles from the Lower Sioux Agency.
Captain John S. Marsh, the fort's commander, went to the Lower Sioux Agency with most of his men. A large Native American force surprised the men, before they were able to get there. Captain Marsh was killed, along with half of the men. They then chased the rest of the soldiers back to the fort.
Four hundred Sioux attacked Fort Ridgley on August 20th. The garrison and the civilians inside were able to hold the fort. Again, on August 22nd, the Sioux attacked the fort, this time bringing 800. The Sioux were unable to over take the fort, resulting in a victory for the Union.
Wood Lake, Minnesota
September 23, 1862
Col. Henry Hastings Sibley Left Fort Ridgely to defeat the Sioux Uprising on September 19, 1862. He left with 1,500 volunteers.
On September 23rd, close to Wood Lake, they escaped ambush by 700 of Chief Little Crow's warriors and then engaged them in battle. On that day, Sibley and his men inflicted many casualties on the Sioux.
This marked the first decisive defeat of the Sioux since the uprising began. Sibley was promoted to brigadier general because of this Union victory.
This information is available from the
U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Library of Congress, americancivilwar.com & fortwiki.com. Search for soldiers in the Minnesota 5th Infantry itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.cfm