A skirmish during the Dakota War of 1862 in which U.S. forces narrowly escaped encirclement by Dakota warriors led by Little Crow.
Key Facts
- Date
- September 3, 1862
- U.S. Unit
- Company B, Tenth Minnesota Infantry Regiment
- U.S. Commander
- Captain Richard Strout
- Estimated Dakota Force
- ~100 men in two groups
- Conflict
- Dakota War of 1862
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following Dakota defeats at Fort Ridgley and New Ulm during the broader Dakota War of 1862, Chief Little Crow led his warriors north out of the Minnesota River Valley into central Minnesota. Company B of the Tenth Minnesota Infantry was dispatched to shield settlers of Meeker County from the incursion.
On September 3, 1862, Captain Strout's column marching southeast was attacked by warriors under Little Crow and Walker Among Stones from front, rear, and flanks in multiple waves. Despite being outnumbered and assaulted on several sides, the company fought its way through the engagement.
Company B managed to reach the stockaded town of Hutchinson, achieving relative safety after the multi-directional assault. The engagement illustrated the reach of Dakota forces into central Minnesota and the vulnerability of U.S. frontier units operating in dispersed formation during the 1862 conflict.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Captain Richard Strout.
Side B
1 belligerent
Chief Little Crow, Walker Among Stones.