Battle of Redwood Ferry

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The Battle of Redwood Ferry was a battle in the Dakota War of 1862.

Date	18 August 1862
Location	North Bank of the Minnesota River
Result	Dakota Victory

Combatants

Dakota (Santee Sioux)

US Soldiers from Fort Ridgely
{Co B 5th Minnesota Infantry}

Commanders

Unknown

Captain John S. Marsh†

Strength

Unknown

44-46

Casualties

1 confirmed.

29-30
{24 killed
5 wounded+16 survived}

Dakota War of 1862
Lower Sioux Agency – New Ulm – Redwood Ferry – Fort Ridgely – Birch Coulee – Fort Abercrombie – Wood Lake – Camp Release

Receiving news about the attack on the Lower Agency (August 4th), Captain Marsh and his 46 (Or 44, sources conflict) soldiers headed in that direction. As they were boarding the Redwood Ferry, they were fired upon by a substantial group of Dakota (Santee Sioux) warriors from both sides of the river - they had earlier killed the ferryman, named Jacob Mauley, or possibly Hubert Millier, records conflict. Surprised by the ambush, a number of soldiers were killed, but they then took cover and returned fire. When the soldiers became low on ammo, Marsh ordered his men to try and escape by swimming. Marsh however, suffered from a painful cramp and quickly drowned.

Sources disagree as to the number and nature of casualties on both sides. They seem to agree that 24-25 US soldiers died in the battle, although some sources state that they all died from drowning whereas others say that the casualties were from a combination of drowning and Dakota fire. A further 5 wounded soldiers were led away from the ambush site by Sergeant John Bishop. There was only one confirmed Dakota casualty. However, due to the large amount of conflicting data, it is hard to say what really happened.