Minnesota: Fort Ridgely Interpretive Series
Showing results 1 to 10 of 22
historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1CKB_a-minority-in-their-homeland-u-s-dakota-conflict_Fairfax-MN.html
A Minority in Their Homeland For generations, the land stretching out around you was the homeland of the Dakota Indians. Through treaties in 1851, the Dakota sold all of their land in southern Minnesota. The treaties disregarded Dakota people's traditional …
historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1CM5_this-fort-had-a-purpose_Fairfax-MN.html
THIS FORT HAD A PURPOSE
Fort Ridgely served as a buffer between Dakota Indians on the reservations and white settlers pouring into the Minnesota River valley. Soldiers stationed here enforced treaty agreements and protected the Dakota from intrusions onto …
historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1CTU_economic-engine_Fairfax-MN.html
ECONOMIC ENGINE
With hundreds of men and some 175 horses, the garrison had a gargantuan appetite for wood, hay, grain, corn, and beef. Unable to meet the requirements of the post through any direct federal supply system, the War Department issued contracts…
historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1CWF_reinforcements-arrive_Fairfax-MN.html
REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE
Soldiers and civilian refugees peered anxiously in this direction, fearing another attack and praying for help. The garrison had dug entrenchments and built an earthen wall south of the fort. Barricades on all sides had been strengthe…
historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1CX5_officers-quarters-c_Fairfax-MN.html
Officers' Quarters—CThis building was identical to Officers' Quarters B and was one of several Fort Ridgely structures excavated by G. Hubert Smith in the mid-1930s. Assisted by unemployed World War I veterans from the Works Progress Administration, S…
historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1CXD_surprise-attack-at-redwood-ferry_Fairfax-MN.html
SURPRISE ATTACK AT REDWOOD FERRYOn the morning of August 18, 1862, Captain John Marsh, 46 soldiers, and interpreter Peter Quinn left the fort to respond to news of violence at Lower Sioux Agency. After an 11-mile march, the soldiers prepared to cross the Mi…
historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1CXP_a-second-wave-of-attacks_Fairfax-MN.html
A SECOND WAVE OF ATTACKSThe Dakota plan of attack on August 22 was the same as on the 20th—a volley of three shots from the north, followed by a rush of warriors from the east, south, and west. The plan was disrupted again when a mail carrier was spot…
historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1CY8_surgeons-quarters-headquarters_Fairfax-MN.html
Surgeon's Quarters—HeadquartersFort Ridgely's commandant and its surgeon lived with their families in the structure on this site. A central hallway divided the quarters into two separate living units. The building was destroyed by fire in 1865.
Min…
historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1CYH_a-doctors-life_Fairfax-MN.html
A DOCTOR'S LIFEThe Post's surgeon lived here. In addition to treating the sick and injured, the post surgeon was himself a commissioned officer, in charge of enforcing proper sanitary measures. The regular inspection of living quarters, the water supply, co…
historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM1CZ4_attack-from-the-northeast_Fairfax-MN.html
ATTACK FROM THE NORTHEAST
You are standing where cannon fire stopped the Dakota assault on August 20, 1862. According to Tasina Wakanhdi (Lightning Blanket), who was involved in both attacks on the Fort, the warriors who made the first attack on Fort Rid…