The Dakota Indian Internment at Fort Snelling, 1862-1864

The Dakota Indian War swept southwestern Minnesota in August, 1862. Hundreds of white settlers and Dakota Indians were killed. In six short weeks, fighting ended and some defeated Dakotas fled to the western prairies, others surrendered. As a result of this conflict nearly 400 Dakotas were tried and 303 men sentenced to death. After intervention by President Lincoln, 38 Dakota men were executed at Mankato, Minnesota on December 26, 1862. At the same time, sixteen hundred Dakota women, children, and old men were detained at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Their society and traditions had been shattered. Living conditions were poor and virulent diseases struck the camp, killing hundreds of them. Led by missionaries, a religious revival swept the camp. Many became Christians and literate in their own language. Photographers came to take pictures of them. Dakotas and mixed-bloods scouted the frontier to guard against hostile Dakota raids. Survivors were exiled to the dry and remote Dakota Territory, accompanied by a few devoted missionaries. Author Corrine L. Monjeau-Marz has gathered and interpreted a massive amount of data to write a factual, objective account of the internment camp and the experiences of its unfortunate inhabitants. Her book will help to shed new light on this controversial camp and the effects it had on those who lived there from 1862 to 1864.