Episode 4 of 6 in a series on the 1862 Dakota War I wrote for Legends of the Old West. After surviving two brutal assaults, the defenders of Fort Ridgely finally receive reinforcements from Colonel Henry Sibley and his 1,400 troops. Though the immediate threat has subsided, the Dakota War is far from over. Settlers remain under siege, militia units scramble to secure the frontier, and the Dakota warriors continue their campaign of resistance, striking isolated outposts and stagecoach lines. The war’s bloody grip extends across Minnesota, leaving towns fortified and families displaced in a desperate bid for survival.
As Sibley reorganizes his forces, the conflict reaches a turning point at Birch Coulee, where a Dakota ambush nearly wipes out a U.S. burial party. For 31 grueling hours, the soldiers cling to life under relentless gunfire until reinforcements finally break the siege. Meanwhile, Little Crow and his warriors shift tactics, launching swift and devastating raids on settlements, but with dwindling supplies and growing opposition, the tide begins to turn. With U.S. forces closing in and Minnesota’s leadership calling for swift action, the final showdown looms on the horizon.
🎧 Listen now to "The Dakota War: The Turning Tide" on your favorite podcast platform.
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