Dakota War

The Dakota War, also known as the Dakota Uprising, was a conflict during the Sioux Wars between the Kingdom of America and the Sioux Nation.

The Conflict

Prelude

The American government had a series of neglect towards their treaty obligations with the Dakota Sioux. These included annuities, building schools, and providing education for farming. Several agreements forced the Dakota Sioux to reservations, where they were made to give up their hunting lifestyle and made to take up farming. However, a crop failure caused a food shortage in the reservation, heightening tensions between the natives and the settlers. While on the brink of starvation, traders for the Indian Agency of America were indifferent or outright callous. Eventually, the Dakota Sioux, led by Chief Little Crow, began to attack white settlers.

Let them eat grass, or their own dung. Andrew Myrick, Indian Agency Trader

Deployment

Incoming Chancellor Sir Robert E. Lee met with King William I in order to authorize military action to the area. Lee recommended a former subordinate, Captain James "Jeb" Stuart, to lead the efforts. Stuart was given command of military forces by King William, and ordered to suppress the uprising, meeting with the governor of the territory to garner militia support for defense.

Before Stuart could arrive in the Missouri Territory, the Dakota bands attacked the ill defended settlements in Missouri. Emboldened by this success, the bands began to attack larger settlements for supplies.

The Engagement

Jeb Stuart met with the army of Little Crow. Stuart had been able to amass a significant force, and had little crow severely outnumbered. The federal forces pressed hard, inflicting massive casualties on the Dakota, causing a quick route. The survivors were run down with American cavalry, with Stuart noting the particular savagery of the fighting in his report to Columbia.

Outcome

The Dakota Sioux were forced to sign further unequal treaties with the American government. A military commission was established, and trials were made to indict the Dakota Sioux warriors. Despite international condemnation of the orders, as the Sioux were viewed as a sovereign people, 38 Dakota Sioux men were executed. This number was smaller than what the courts had ordered, as Chancellor Lee held great respect for the Sioux and reduced the number as much as he could. Despite this effort, this event marked the largest mass execution in American history.

Aftermath

Jeb Stuart recieved national praise for his actions. King William inducted him into the Order of Louis Ferdinand, officially knighting him in 1863. That same year, Stuart was made a full colonel in the army with command in the western states.

Conflict Type

War

Start Date

1862

Conflict Result

Decisive American Victory