On the second day of the fight, we were reinforced...which ended one of the hardest and best fought battles known."
??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? Joseph Anderson
Early in the afternoon of September 3, the U.S. forces heard two cannon blasts coming from the east. Could help be near? When reinforcements failed to appear, they gave up hope.

Several hours later, troops from Fort Ridgely finally arrived. The Dakota forces spotted the troops, ceased fire, and vanished. After 36 hours, the Battle of Birch Coulee was over.

"We Could Have Taken the Camp"

According to Wamditanka, the Dakota men had a plan to charge the campsite: "During the fight the whites had thrown up breastworks, but they were not very high and we could easily have jumped over them. We could have taken the camp, I think."

The Dakota leaders changed their plans when they spotted U.S. reinforcements. Mankato and about 50 Dakota men rushed toward the reinforcements, stopping them in their tracks for several hours. When additional U.S. troops moved in, however, the Dakota headed south across the Minnesota River to their old villages, and then upriver to Yellow Medicine.

Minnesota Historical Society
Birch Coulee Battlefield

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Morton, MN  |  Renville County  |  56270  |  Minnesota  |  United States of America

The Battle of Birch Coulee
"A Beautiful Place to Encamp"
The Battle of Birch Coulee
After the Battle
Battle Scars
The Battle of Birch Coulee
Wrong Place, Wrong Time
Two Men, One War
Battle Tactics
The Story of the Land

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.