The Dakota War of 1862 [Paperback]

Kenneth Carley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2001

While the Civil War raged in the East and South, Dakota Indians in Minnesota erupted violently into action against white settlers, igniting the tragic Dakota War of 1862. Hemmed in on a narrow reservation along the upper Minnesota River, the Dakota (Sioux) were frustrated by broken treaties, angered by dishonest agents and traders, and near starvation because of crop failures and late annuity payments. Led by Little Crow, Dakota warriors attacked the Redwood and Yellow Medicine Indian agencies and all whites living on their former lands in south-western Minnesota. They killed more than 450 whites and took some 250 white and mixed-blood prisoners during the 38-day conflict. White civilians and military units commanded by Henry H. Sibley defended towns and forts, pursued warriors, and eventually forced the Indians to surrender or flee westward. The penalties imposed by vengeful whites were swift and devastating. The federal government hanged 38 Dakota men in the largest mass execution in US history, 300 were imprisoned, and the Dakota people were banished from the state. This is the most accessible and balanced account available which draws on a wealth of written and visual materials by white and Indian participants and observers to show the sources of the Dakotas' justified and bitter wrath -- and the terrible consequences of the conflict.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kenneth Carley

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Press; 2nd edition (July 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873513924
• ISBN-13: 978-0873513920
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #165,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #68 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Regional U.S. > Midwest

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, clear and interesting, April 20, 2008

By 

Robert M. Butts "Bob B." (Colton, SD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dakota War of 1862 (Paperback)

This is a very short history of the 1862 Dakota War but it's absolutely FULL of information, maps, pictures and insights on this often overlooked American conflict. In this work Ken Carley achieved what few other writers of military history can. He found the most interesting and significant aspects of the conflict and presented them in a manner that informs the reader and is compelling to read. His work is larely unbiased. It doesn't favor the side of the victors as is often the case with works written about the Indian wars. Likewise, he avoids the politially correct tactic of portraying the whites as brutal invaders persecuting the poor, defenseless Native Americans.

Bravo! I would higly recommend this work to anyone intersted in the subject. As a native born Minnesotan, I would also say this is must read for folks in the area. It's a great summary of an important part of our history that we shouldn't forget.