Dakota War

Dakota War (1862-1862) - A war between the United States and the Dakota Indians in Minnesota. The war began on 17 Aug 1862 with four Dakota Indian men attacked and killed five settlers in Meeker County, Minnesota. Fighting ended on 23 Sep 1862 with a battle at Wood Lake (near the Upper Sioux Agency).

The conflict resulted the deaths of 757 persons, 644 of whom were civilians, and one of the few frontal assaults on a western military post at Fort Ridgely. Settlers in farmstead and communities all along the Minnesota River were attacked and killed.