Battle of Redwood Ferry
The Battle of Redwood Ferry was a battle in the Dakota War of 1862.
| Battle of Redwood Ferry | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of The Dakota War of 1862 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Dakota (Santee Sioux) |
US Soldiers from Fort Ridgely {Co B 5th Minnesota Infantry} | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Chief Little Crow | Captain John S. Marsh† | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 325-350 | 46 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 confirmed | 24 killed, 1 drowned, 5 wounded | ||||||
Description
News reached Captain John S. Marsh at Fort Ridgely (then spelled "Ridgley") that the Lower Sioux Agency had been attacked on August 18, 1862.
Marsh went to the Lower Sioux Agency with 47 enlisted men and Interpreter Peter Quinn. The remaining inhabitants of the agency were Second Lieutenant Thomas P. Gere, Post Sutler Ben H. Randall, Ordnance Sergeant John Jones, two sergeants, three corporals, and about 32 privates. Marsh sent Private James C. McLean to catch up with 1st Lt. Timothy Sheehan and his 50 men from Fort Ripley. They had departed Fort Ridgely earlier that day returning to their home post. McLean was able to relay message and Lt. Sheehan with C Company returned to reinforce the beleaguered outpost.
Company B was attacked at noon along the Minnesota River when they stopped for water. Capt. Marsh and his men fought until over half had fallen. They then moved to the Faribault cabin, at the bottom of "Faribault Hill". They later tried to swim the river, but the swift current pulled Marsh under. This made the Indians think that Marsh and the remaining 16 had gone across, so the Indians hid in a dam, ready to ambush.
The surviving members of Company B made their way towards Ridgely. With it getting dark, Lt. Bishop sent Privates James Dunn and William B. Hutchinson to Ridgely to tell the post commander what happened. They arrived at Ridgely at 2200 hours. The remaining men returned to the fort on August 20.
References
- Minnesota In the Civil and Indian War Vol. 2 pages 166-170 "Battle of Redwood" by First Lieutenant John F. Bishop Sheldon, Iowa, Sept 5, 1887.