The Battle of Big Mound was a United States Army victory over the combined Santee and Teton Sioux forces in the Dakota Territory. The American Civil War (1861–1865) was fought in North America within the United States of America, between twenty-three mostly northern states of the Union and the Confederate States of America, a coalition of eleven southern states that declared their independence and claimed the right of secession from the... The Indian Wars were a series of conflicts between the United States and Native American peoples (Indians) of North America. ... July 24 is the 205th day (206th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 160 days remaining. ... July 25 is the 206th day (207th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 159 days remaining. ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Kidder County is a county located in the state of North Dakota. ... Image:Portrait of Matt. ... Image:Portrait of Matt. ... Henry Hastings Sibley Henry Hastings Sibley (February 20, 1811 to February 18, 1891) was an American politician. ... Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake Conflict American Civil War, Indian Wars Date July 26, 1862 Place Kidder County, North Dakota Result U.S. victory The Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake was fought between United States forces and Sioux Indians of the Dakota Territory. ... Battle of Stony Lake Conflict American Civil War, Indian Wars Date July 28, 1862 Place Burleigh County, North Dakota Result U.S. victory The Battle of Stony Lake was the last engagement during Henry Hastings Sibleys campaign against the Santee and Teton Sioux in the Dakota Territory. ... US Army Seal HHC, US Army Distinctive Unit Insignia The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... Image:Portrait of Matt. ... Dakota Territory was the name of the northernmost part of the Louisiana Purchase of the United States. ...

Background

After suppressing the Sioux Uprising in 1862, Henry Hastings Sibley was appointed brigadier general of volunteers. Sibley departed from Fort Ridgely and marched into the Dakotas after the Santee Sioux who had led the uprising. In the Dakota Territory, the Santee were joined by the Teton Sioux. 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Henry Hastings Sibley Henry Hastings Sibley (February 20, 1811 to February 18, 1891) was an American politician. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Fort Ridgely was a U.S. Army outpost (1853-1867) near the Dakota reservation in South-Western Minnesota (located near New Ulm). ...

The Battle

On July 24, Sibley received reports of a large Indian force nearby and established a camp. A few Indians approached Sibley's camp expressing friendship, but when a surgeon was killed, the Indians fled behind ridges surrounding the camp. There, they were joined by the rest of the Indian force, which began firing upon the soldiers. The army's response was at first scattered, but Sibley gathered a force together and attacked the entrenched Indian positions. The attack succeeded and the Indians were driven from the ridges and a scattered retreat followed. Mounted troops pursued the fleeing warriors across the prairie until dark. July 24 is the 205th day (206th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 160 days remaining. ... Prairie refers to an area of land in North America of low topographic relief that principally supports grasses and herbs, with few trees, and is generally of a mesic (moderate or temperate) climate. ...

Results

The battle scattered the Indian force and their morale began to sink. The warriors retreated further into the Dakota Territory closely pursued by Sibley. The two forces met again a few days later at the Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake Conflict American Civil War, Indian Wars Date July 26, 1862 Place Kidder County, North Dakota Result U.S. victory The Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake was fought between United States forces and Sioux Indians of the Dakota Territory. ...

Sources

• American Battlefield Protection Program
• Josephy, Alvin M., War on the Frontier, 1986, Time Life Books
• Prepared and published under the supervision of The Board of Commissioners appointed by the Act of the Legislature of Minnesota of April 16, 1889., "Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars 1861-1865", 1890, Pioneer Press Company.