The U.S. – Dakota War of 1862, Part III

The Lower Sioux Agency warehouse

At 7am on 18 August 1862, Dakota warriors, led by Little Crow, attacked the Lower Sioux Agency. Andrew Myrick, who previously had issued the “Let them eat grass statement”, was one of the first to be killed. He was discovered trying to escape from a second floor window of the warehouse building pictured above. Myrick’s body was later found with his mouth full of grass.

Battle of Redwood Ferry marker

Employees and civilians fled the Agency, crossing the Minnesota River at the Redwood Ferry, and headed for Fort Ridgely, which was 13 miles downstream. When news of the attack reached the fort, Captain John S. Marsh left Ridgely with 47 men and set off for the Lower Sioux Agency. Company B was ambushed at the Minnesota River near the Redwood crossing. 24 soldiers were killed, five were wounded and one drowned; with Captain Marsh among the casualties.

War parties attacked settlers throughout the Minnesota River Valley the entire day, with an estimated 160 killed, and the towns of Milford, Leavenworth and Sacred Heart burned. Over 100 settlers, mostly women and children are taken hostage.