The Attacks on New Ulm

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On the afternoon of August 19, 1862, New Ulm came under siege by a relatively small group of Dakota warriors. This skirmish lasted several hours and left five settlers dead. The following day the people of New Ulm elected Judge Charles Flandrau, a prominent citizen from St. Peter, as their military commander. Over the next few days more than 1,000 refugees ballooned New Ulm’s population to 2,000 people, while only 300 were equipped to fight.

The second battle of New Ulm took place on August 23. This time, however, more than 600 Dakota soldiers fought, under the guidance of Chiefs Waƞbdiṭanka, Wabaṡa, and Makato. This was the largest battle over a US town since 1776.

After fending off an attack on August 25th, Charles Flandreau led the evacuation of about 2,000 residents of New Ulm and outlying areas to Mankato, St. Peter, and St. Paul. Mankato and St. Peter became ad hoc refugee camps. As people crowded into hastily assembled lodgings, diseases spread like wildfire.

Children were left orphaned, with no social-service agencies in place to see to their needs. Widows struggled to maintain homes and farmsteads.

"The procession from New Ulm has arrived, & was nearly four miles long--the sight beggared description. 1500 or 2000 people carrying upon their backs all of their Earthly goods.

Hungry, tired, & lame.

My heart sickens at the sight--& aches at our inability to furnish the base necessaries of life. We have filled ev'ry building in town excepting the best Residences, with tens and hundreds & still there are perhaps a thousand in the streets with no covering but the canopy of Heaven. . . .

We have all, & more than we can do. If the State Authorities do not come to our relief, God only knows what will become of us all. . . .

We have Established Soup-houses & Bakeries, & done Everything that the people here can do--We are taking everything in the town regardless of ownership, but it will only hold out a few days."

Letter from Albert Knight, St. Peter, to his wife in St. Paul, August 27, 1862. Source: Minnesota Historical Society Archives.

Theme:

1862

Topics:

Settlers in War

New Ulm

Bibliography:

Fridley, Russell W., and Charles E. Flandrau. Charles E. Flandrau and the Defense of New Ulm. New Ulm: Brown County Historical Society, 1962

Resources for Further Research:

Websites

150th Anniversary of the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862. Brown County Historical Society, New Ulm, Minnesota.

Primary

Fridley, Russell W., and Charles E. Flandrau. Charles E. Flandrau and the Defense of New Ulm. New Ulm: Brown County Historical Society, 1962

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