Dakota Warriors' Deaths in The Minnesota Indian War of 1862

This is the historical site of the largest mass execution ever in American history.  Located across from the Mankato Public Library on Riverfront Drive. 

  

The following is the list of Dakota warriors hung on December 26, 1862:


1. Ta-he-do-ne-cha, (One who forbids his house.) - Charged with raping a white women and taking her prisoner.[7]

2. Plan-doo-ta, (Red Otter.) - Charged with participating in the murder of Mr. Patwell, and ravishing a young girl.[7]

3. Wy-a-tah-ta-wa, (His People.) - Confessed to having participated in the murder of Mr. Patville, and to have been in three battles.  The Battle of Redwood Ferry, New Ulm, and Birch Coolie.[7]

4. Hin-hau-shoon-ko-yag-ma-ne, (One who walks clothed in an Owl's Tail.) - Charged with the murder of Mr. Alexander Hunter and taking his wife prisoner.[7]

5. Ma-za-bom-doo, (Iron Blower.) - Convicted of murder of an old women and two children at the Travelers's Home, near New Ulm.[7]

6. Wak-pa-doo-ta, (Red Leaf.) - Confessed that he was engaged in the massacres, and that he shot a white man.[7]

7. Wa-he-hua, (Meaning not known.) - Confessed that he had been in three battles and fired at white people, but stated he never killed anyone.[7]

8. Sua-ma-ne, (Tinkling Walker.) - Convicted of the murder of two people.  He claimed never being there.[7]

9. Ta-tay-me-ma, (Round Wind) - In Lincoln's executive order but reprieved at the last minute.

10. Rda-in-yan-ka, (Rattling Runner.) - Accused of being in the battles of Wood Lake, Fort Ridgely, and New Ulm and aided in the killing of white people.[7]

11. Doo-wau-sa, (The Singer.) - Confessed to having been in the battles of New Ulm, Fort Ridgely, Birch Coolie, and Wood Lake.  In Nicollet murdered three women and two men in a wagon.[1]

12. Ha-pau, (Second child of a son.) - Confessed he was with the war party that killed Mr. Patville and his companions.  He took one of the women prisoner.[7]

13. Shoon-ka-ska, (White Dog.) - Leader of the party that Attacked Captain Marsh's company at Redwood Ferry.  Charged with "Participation in the murders robberies and outrages committed by the Sioux tribe of Indians on the Minnesota Frontier."[9]

14. Toon-kau-e-cha-tag-ma-ne, (One who walks by his Grandfather.)

15. E-tay-doo-tay, (Red Face.) - Confessed to being at the battles of Fort Ridgely, Birch Coolie, and Wood Lake. He claims to have killed seven the first day across the river and killed Mr. Divol after he was shot.[8]

16. Am-da-cha, (Broken to Pieces.)

17. Hay-pe-pau, (Third child of a son.) - Cut Mrs. Thieler with a hatchet after she had been shot by another Indian, and fired many shots at the fort.

18. Mah-pe-o-ke-na-jui, (Who stands on the Clouds.) - Convicted of the murder of Antoine Young, and of participating in the murder of another man, four women, and eleven children.

19. Harry Milord, (Half Breed.) - Convicted of participating in the murder of a white man and woman.

20. Chas-kay-dau, (First born of a son.) - Convicted of shooting and cutting open a woman who was with child.

21. Baptiste Campbell, _____. - Confessed that he was one of the party who murdered a man and woman, and that he shot first.

22. Ta-ta-ka-gay, (Wind Maker.) - Convicted of murdering or of participating in the murder of Amos W. Huggins.

23. Hay-pin-kpa, (The Tips of the Horn.) - Convicted of the murder of Garvie.

24. Hypolite Auge, (Half-breed.) - Confesses that he was one of the party that murdered a white man, and that he fired at him.

25. Ka-pay-shue, (One who does not Flee.) - Convicted of participating in a massacre, and boasted he had killed nineteen persons.

26. Wa-kau-tau-ka, (Great Spirit.) - Convicted of the murder of a white man not named.

27. Toon-kau-ko-yag-e-na-jui, (One who stands clothed with his Grandfather.) - Convicted of participating in the murder of a white man at the Big Woods.

28. Wa-ka-ta-e-na-jui, (One who stands on the earth.)

29. Pa-za-koo-tay-ma-ne, (One who walks prepared to shoot.) - Convicted of participating in the murder of a party of eight white men.

30. Ta-tay-hde-dau, (Wind comes home.) - Convicted of participating in the massacre at Beaver creek, and of taking captive a white woman.

31. Wa-she-choon, (Frenchman.) - Convicted of participating in the murder of LaButt’s son.

32. A-c-cha-ga, (To grow upon.) - Convicted of participating in the murder of an old man and two girls.

33. Ho-tan-in-koo, (Voice that appears coming.) - Convicted of participating in the murder of a man at Green lake; admits he struck him with an axe after he had been shot by others of the party.

34. Khay-tan-hoon-ka, (The Parent Hawk.) - Proved to have been one of a party that committed massacres at Beaver creek.

35. Chau-ka-hda, (Near the Wood.) - Is proven to have been of the party, and present when Mr. Patville was killed, and to have saved Mary Anderson (who had been wounded) from being killed, and to have taken her prisoner.

36 Hda-hin-hday, (To make a rattling voice.) - Convicted of the murder of Mrs. Adams’s child, and others. Was one of the party that brought Mrs. Adams in.

37. O-ya-tay-a-kee, (The Coming People.) - Convicted of participating in the murder of Mr. Patville.

38. Ma-hoo-way-ma, (He comes for me.) - Convicted of participating in the massacre at “Travellers’ Home,” and of murdering a man on the road near there.

39. Wa-kin-yan-wa, (Little Thunder.) - Convicted of participated in the murders, near the Travellers home of an old man, two young girls and two boys.

The following Dakota Chiefs had been captured in Canada and returned to the U.S. Government:

1.  Wakanozhanzhan (Medicine Bottle.) - Convicted of killing civilians and sentenced to be executed by hanging. They were hung by guillotine in the court yard of Fort Snelling in November of 1865, in the presence of the troops stationed here.[6]
2.  Sakepedan, (Little Six.) - Convicted of killing civilians and sentenced to be executed by hanging.   He participated in the attacks at Beaver Creek and Sacred Heart Creek,and in the battle of Wood Lake.[6] 

Soldiers' Killed During Minnesota Dakota War of 1862

3rd Minnesota Regiment

On Duty: Mustered at Fort Snelling.  Participated in the suppression of the Dakota Indians at the Battle of Wood Lake.  Companies involved: A,G,H, and I.  Five Killed.

1.  Pvt.  Matthew Cantwell.  Killed September 23, 1862.  Buried: Calvary Cemetery, Le Sueur.
2.  Private Benton T. Foster. Killed August 25, 1862.  (Killed in New Ulm)
3.  Private Edwin E. Ross.  Died Fort Ridgely.  (Wounded Battle of Wood Lake)
4.  Private Anthony Collins.  Killed September 23, 1862.
5.  Private DeGrove Kimbal.  Killed at Wood Lake.  (Unknown DOD)

Saint Peter Frontier Guards

On duty: August 19, 1862 - August 26, 1862.  Three Killed.

1.  Captain William B. Dodd. Killed.  August 23, 1862.
(Originally buried in New Ulm; November, 1862.  Later Captain Dodd was removed and buried in St. Peter at the Church of the Holy Communion.)

2.  Private Max Haach.  Killed August 23, 1862.

3.  Private Jerry Quane.  Killed August 23, 1862.

Mankato Company of Volunteers

On Duty: In service during the second attack of the Indians in the town of New Ulm.  Two Killed.

1.  Private Newell E. Houghton.  Killed in battle at New Ulm.[10]

2.  Private William Nicolson.  Killed In battle at New Ulm.

Company of Citizens Mustered at Fort Abercrombie

On Duty: Participated in the defense of Fort Abercrombie in all attacks made upon it.  Four Killed.

1.  Sergeant Edward Wright.  Killed September 23, 1862.

2.  Corporal James Bennett.  Killed with troops sent to Breckenridge.

3.  Ostler Charles W. Snell.  Killed September 6, 1862.

4.  Private Augustus Ruchenell.  Killed by Indians.

The Le Sueur Tigers, No. 1

Organized August 19, 1862 and Disbanded August 27, 1862.  On Duty: The Battle of New Ulm.  Three Killed.

1.  1st Lieutenant A.W. Edwards.  KIA in New Ulm.  (Bullet through head).

2.  Private William Losky.  Killed in New Ulm.[10]

3.  Private Luke Smithsom.  Wounded and died in the battle of New Ulm.

The Le Sueur Tigers, No. 2

Organized August 20, 1862 and Disbanded August 27, 1862.  On Duty: The Battle of New Ulm.  Three Killed.

1.  5th Sergeant William Malony.  Killed in New Ulm.

2.  Private Mathew Abern or Aberin?.  Killed in New Ulm.[10]

3.  Private Washington Kulp.  Killed in New Ulm.[10]

Company Attached to Company B, Ninth Regiment

Served with Captain Richard Strout during August and September of 1862.  On Duty: Active service in and about Glencoe, Forest City and Hutchinson.  One Killed.

1.  Private Edwin Stone.  Killed during an Indian attack.

The 11th Regiment, Third Brigade, Minnesota Militia

Organized at New Ulm on August 18, 1862, and served until August 25th, 1862.  On Duty: Took Part in First and Second Battles of New Ulm, on August 19 and August 23.  Nine Killed

1.  Private G. W. Otto Barth.  Killed in battle of New Ulm.

2.  Private Jacob Caster.  Killed in battle of New Ulm.

3.  Private William England.  Killed in battle of New Ulm.[10]

4.  Private Julius Kirchstien.  Killed in battle of New Ulm.

5.  Private Malhaens Meyer.  Killed in Battle of New Ulm.

6.  Private John C. Michaels.  Killed in battle of New Ulm.

7.  Private Aug Ropke.  Killed in battle of New Ulm.

8.  Private Leopold Senzke.  Killed in Battle of New Ulm.

9.  Private Adolph Stumle.  Died in Saint Paul from wounds.

The Cullen Guards

In service from August 22, 1862 to September 28, 1862.  On Duty: Part of this company went from Saint Peter to the relief of New Ulm.  Nearly all of this company fought in the battle of Birch Coolie.  One Killed.

1.  2nd Sergeant Robert Baxter.  Killed September 2, 1862 at the battle of Birch Coolie.

Company C, Irregular State Militia

Organized in New Ulm on September 15, 1862 and served until October 10, 1862.  On Duty: Fought in the battle of New Ulm.  One Killed.

1.  Private John Armstrong.  Killed in New Ulm.

The Sauk Centre Volunteer State Militia

Organized in Sauk Center August 25, 1862 and served until October 25, 1862.  Two Killed

1. 1st Corporal J. Pettijohn.  Killed September 29, 1862.

2.  Private A. C. Perkins.  Killed October 2, 1862.

The 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry 

Duty: Lower Sioux Agency on August 18, 1862.  The 5th Minnesota fought at the Battle of Redwood Ferry under the command of Captain John S. Marsh of Company B.  After the battle, troops from Fort Ridgely went to the site of the ferry to bury the dead.  Later the dead were removed from the site of the battle and buried at the National Cemetery at Fort Ridgely.  

47 enlisted men and Interpreter Peter Quinn were at the Lower Sioux Agency.  *Twenty-four soldiers killed, including Captain Marsh and Interpreter Quinn.  Only one Indian reported killed, a young warrior of Hu-sha-shas band, named Towato, or All Blue.  28 Killed.

Other Duties: Fort Abercrombie.

25.  Private William Shult, 5th Minnesota, Co. D.  Age 28.  Died September 23, 1862 during the Battle of Fort Abercrombie.  Burial at Fort Abercrombie.  The follow explains the gruesome death of Private Shult. "The body of private William Schultz was found with his skull smashed in and his brains scattered about. His arm had been broken by a rifle ball and there were eighteen stab wounds in his body. His legs had been cut to the bone from both hips to the ankles."

26.  Private William Siegel, 5th Minnesota, Co. D, age 31.  Died September 6, 1862 during the Battle of Fort Abercrombie.  In 1905, transferred from Fort Abraham Lincoln to Custer National Cemetery.

27.  Private Edwin D. Steele, 5th Minnesota, Co. D, age 22.  Died September 7, 1862 during the Battle of Fort Abercrombie.  In 1905, transferred from Fort Abraham Lincoln to Custer National Cemetery.

28.  Pvt. Edward J. Wright, Citizen soldier attached to the 5th Minnesota.  Age 24.  Died September 23, 1862 during the Battle of Fort Abercrombie.  In 1905, transferred from Fort Abraham Lincoln to Custer National Cemetery.

24.  *Private Henry A. Shephard, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 21.  Died August 18, 1862 at the Battle Redwood Ferry.  (Body never found.)

United States Soldiers interred at Fort Ridgely Cemetery, Minnesota

Private Henry Alebaugh, 2nd Minnesota Calvary, Co. A.  Died October 5, 1865.

Hans Alsen, 3rd Minnesota Artillery.  Died March 20, 1864.

Robert Baker, 10th Minnesota, Co. I.  Died August 20, 1862.

Mariam Bartlett, 9th Minnesota, Co. A.  Died November 18, 1862.

William Batten, 9th Minnesota, Co. I.  Died November 5, 1862.

1.  *Private Charles Bell, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 41.  Died August 18, 1862.

2.  *Corporal Joseph S. Besse, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 26.  Died August 18, 1862.

Private John Black, 2nd U.S. Calvary, Co. I.  Dies July 23, 1857.

Trueman Butler, 9th Minnesota, Co. I.  Died July 14, 1863.

Nicholas Cartwright, 6th U.S. Infantry.  Died July 19, 1854.

3.  *Private Edwin S. Cole, 5th Minnesota, Co. B.  Died August 18, 1862.

 Eben Cook, 6th U.S. Infantry.  Died March 15, 1855.

4.  *1st Sergeant Russel H. Findley, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 40.  Died August 18, 1862.

Private William Fitzgerald, 6th U.S. Infantry.  Died March 20, 1855.

5.  *Private Charles E. French, 5th Minnesota, Co. B.  Died August 18, 1862.

Gabriel Gabrielson, 2rd U.S. Artillery, Co. E.  Died November 20, 1859.

6.  *Private John Gardner, 5th Minnesota, Co. B.  Died August 18, 1862.

Samnel Garver, 8th Minnesota, Co. D.  Died November 10, 1862.

William B. Gatewood, 3rd U.S. Artillery, Co. E.  Died December 3, 1858.

7.  *Private Jacob A. Gehring, 5th Minnesota, Co. B.  Died August 18, 1862.

Pvt.  Mark M. Greer, 5th Minnesota, Co. C.  Battle of Fort Ridgely.  Died August 20, 1862.

8.  *Private John Holms, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 20.  Died August 18, 1862.

Henry Howard, 6th U.S. Infantry, Co. K.  Died June 14, 1853.

9.  *Sergeant Solon M. Trescott, 5th Minnesota, Co. B.  Died August 18, 1862.

10.  *Private Christ Joerger, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 27.  Died August 18, 1862.

11.  *Private Doras Kanzig, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 27.  Died August 18, 1862.

Henry Kernes, 2nd U.S. Infantry, Co. C.  Died November 14, 1857.

12.  *Private James Kerr, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 18.  Died August 18, 1862.

Degros A. Kimble, 3rd Minnesota, Co. G.  Died October 14, 1862.

13.  *Pvt John or Wenzel? Kusda, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 22.  Died August 18, 1862.

2nd Lieutenant Charles Lincoln, 2nd Minnesota Calvary.  Died September 9, 1864.

Private William Mahoney, 2nd U.S. Artillery, Co. E.  Died July 30, 1860.

14.  *Captain John S. March, 5th Minnesota, Co. B.  Died August 18, 1862.

15.  *Private Henry McAllister, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 31.  Died August 18, 1862.

John McGramm, 10th Minnesota, Co. K.  Died September 24, 1863.

Lorenzo Meeds, 9th Minnesota, Co. A.  Died January 27, 1863.

Robert A. Miller, 2nd Minnesota Calvary, Co. A.  Died May 26, 1864.

16.  *Private Wenzel Norton, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 29.  Died August 18, 1862.  

Thomas O'Branigan, 4th U.S. Artillery, Co. K.  Died March 28, 1861.

17.  *Private John Parks, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 20.  Died August 18, 1862.

18.  *Private Moses Parks, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 21.  Died August 18, 1862.

19.  *Private John Parsley, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 26.  Died August 18, 1862.

20.  *Private Harrison Phillipps, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 21.  Died August 18, 1862.

21.  *Private Nathaniel Pitcher, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 21.  Died August 18, 1862.

Frank Richmeyer, 4th Minnesota, Co. B.  Died January 30, 1862.

John Rodiger, 2nd U.S. Infantry, Co. I.  Died March 18, 1859.

Edwin Ross, 3rd Minnesota, Co. A.  Died October 1, 1862.

Patrick Sheridan, 2nd U.S. Infantry, Co. F.  Died March 13, 1856.

22.  *Private Charles W. Smith, 5th Minnesota, Co. B.  Died August 18, 1862.

William Sommers, Unassigned.  Died November 22, 1864.

23.  *Private Nathan Stewart, 5th Minnesota, Co. B, age 21.  Died August 18, 1862.

Athaniel Trippe, 2nd U.S. Infantry, Co. E.  Died 1856.

Samuel Wallace, 10th U.S. Infantry, Co. I, Died February 15, 1857.

Lewis Williams, 1st Minnesota Calvary, Co. M.  Died September 9, 1863.

 

The 6th Minnesota Regiment

Duty: the 6th Minnesota Regiment participating in the battles of Birch Coulee during September 2-3, 1862, and at Wood Lake on September 22, 1862.  The 6th Minnesota was at Camp Release for the release and protection of white settlers who were taken prisoner during the Dakota Indian War of 1862.  Eleven Killed.

1.  Sgt. William Irvine, Co. A, age 35.  Died September 2, 1862.  Battle of Birch Coulee.
2.  Sgt. Benjamin S. Terry, Co. G, age 30.  Died September 2, 1862.  Battle of Birch Coulee.
3.  Corporal William M. Cobb, Co. A, age 21.  Died September 3, 1862.  Battle of Birch Coulee.
4.  Private John College, Co. A, age 33.  Died September 2, 1862.  Battle of Birch Coulee.
5.  Private George Colter, Co. A, age 18.  Died September 2, 1862.  Battle of Birch Coulee.
6.  Private Cornelius F. Coyle, Co. A, age 30.  Died September 5, 1862.  Wounded at the Battle of Coulee and died at Fort Ridgely.
7.  Private Chauncey L. King, Co. A, age 18.  Died September 2, 1862.  Battle of Birch Coulee.
8.  Private Nicolas Miller, Co. K, age 21.  Died July 29, 1863.  Missouri River, Bismarck, ND.
9.  Private Henry Rolleau, Co. A, age 25.  Died September 11, 1862.  Wounded at the Battle of Birch Coulee and died at Fort Ridgley.
10.  Private William Russell, Jr., Co. A, age 18.  Died September 11, 1862.  Battle of Birch Coulee.
11.  Private Henry Whetsler, Co. A, age 39.  Died September 2, 1862.  Battle of Birch Coulee.

The 7th Minnesota Regiment
Duty: Participated in the defense and protection of Camp Release, Battle of Wood Coulee, and St. Peter, Minnesota.  Two killed.

1.  Private Ole Erickson, Co. E, age 22.  Died April 16, 1863.  Near Camp Watonwan.
2.  Private Charles E. Frink, Co. A, age 30.  Died September 23, 1862.  Battle of Wood Lake. 

The 8th Minnesota Regiment
Duty: Company D of the 8th Minnesota Regiment was stationed at Pomme de Terre stockade.  The 8th Regiment was sent there do deal with the Indians in the area of Kandiyohi Lake.  During a skirmishes with the Indians, the 8th Minnesota Regiment lost a few men. Total of Five men Killed.  Three Killed at Pomme de Terre. 

1.  Captain John S. Cady, Co. A, age 27.  Died June 11, 1863 near Lake Elizabeth in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. (He was pursuing some Dakotas' who had stolen horses.)
2.  Sergeant William H. Edwards, Co. A, age 41.  Died September 11, 1863, near Meeker County. 
3.  Corporal Zenas Blackman, Co. D, age 31.  Died May 2, 1863.  Stockade at Pomme de Terre. (Out picking goose eggs when ambushed and killed by Dakota Indians.[11])
4.  Private Adam Hair, Co. D, age 34.  Died May 2, 1863.  Stockade at Pomme de Terre.
(Out picking goose eggs when ambushed and killed by Dakota Indians.[11])
5.  Private Comfort B. Luddington, Co. D, age 26.  Died May 2, 1863.  Stockade at Pomme de Terre.  (Outside of the stockade preparing to bring cattle to Fort Abercrombie when ambushed and killed by Dakota Indians.[11])

The 9th Minnesota Regiment

1.  Private Frank J. Beadle, Co. B, age 33.  Died September 3, 1862.  Battle of Action.
2.  Private Abner C. Bennett, Co. B, age 18.  Wounded September 3, 1862.  Died March 17, 1863 in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
3.  Private Alvah Getchell, Co. B, age 19.  Died September 3, 1862.  Battle of Action.
4.  Private George W. Gideon, Co. B, age 18.  Died September 3, 1982.  Battle of Action.
5.  Private Joseph Gilfillan, Co. E, age 31.  Died September 4, 1862.  South of New Ulm.
6.  Private Joseph Kellene, Co. A, age 33.  Died September 7, 1862.  Battle of Birch Coulee.
7.  Private N.E. Weeks, Co. B, age 29.  Wounded September 3, 1862.  Died November 6, 1962 in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
8.  Civilian Edwin Stone, Accompanied Co. B, Died September 3, 1862.  Battle of Action.