Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake

Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake
Part of Sioux Wars, American Civil War
Interpretive sign at the battle site
Date July 26, 1863 (1863-07-26) Location Dakota Territory Present-day Kidder County, North Dakota Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Teton and Santee Sioux
Commanders and leaders
Henry Hastings Sibley	Inkpaduta
Strength
3,000	?
Casualties and losses
7 killed 15 wounded	?

The battle of Dead Buffalo Lake was fought between United States forces and Sioux Indians of the Dakota Territory.

A combined force of Santee and Teton Sioux forces had been defeated at the battle of Big Mound. They fled that battlefield and were chased endlessly by U.S. cavalry. General Henry Hastings Sibley, the cavalry leader, and the cavalry traveled 14 miles before catching up to the Natives the next day, July 26.

The Sioux were ready for battle, but neither side made any initial attacks. The heaviest fighting occurred when the warriors attempted to flank the U.S. camp, but their attack was called off after encountering resistance from U.S. infantry and mounted forces. The Indians withdrew from the field and were again in retreat with Sibley's forces close behind.

Sources

• Andrews, C. C., ed (1891). Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars 1861-1865. St. Paul, Minn: Printed for the state by the Pioneer Press Co. http://openlibrary.org/books/OL7088819M/Minnesota_in_the_civil_and_Indian_wars_1861-1865. 
• National Park Service Battle Summary
• CWSAC Report Update and Resurvey: Individual Battlefield Profiles