Battle of Fort Ridgely

Other Names: None

Location: Nicollet County, Minnesota

Campaign: Operations to Suppress the Sioux Uprising (1862)

Date: August 20-22, 1862

Principal Commanders: 1st Lt. Timothy J. Sheehan [US]; Chief Little Crow [I]

Forces Engaged: Fort Ridgely Garrison and refugee civilians 210 (August 22) [US]; Santee Sioux 400-600 (August 20) 800-1,000 (August 22) [I]

Casualties and losses: (US 16; I 5)

Result(s): Union victory

Brief Description:

In August 1862, the Santee Sioux of Minnesota under Chief Little Crow, angered by the failure of the Federal government to provide annuities and by the poor quality of rations, went on the offensive. They killed approximately 800 settlers and soldiers, took many prisoners, and caused extensive property damage throughout the Minnesota River Valley. Fort Ridgely, about twelve miles from the Lower Sioux Agency, became the refuge for white civilians. The fort's commander, Capt. John S. Marsh, set out with most of his men for the Lower Sioux Agency. Before reaching the agency, a large Native American force surprised the soldiers, killed half of them, including Marsh, and pursued the survivors back to the fort. On August 20, about 400 Sioux attacked the fort but were repulsed. On the 22nd, 800 Sioux attacked the fort again, but the garrison and civilians held the fort.