Battles of New Ulm

Overview

The Battles of New Ulm, also known as the New Ulm Massacre, were two battles in August 1862 between Dakota men and European settlers and militia in New Ulm, Minnesota early in the Dakota War of 1862. Dakota forces attacked New Ulm on August 19 and again on August 23, destroying much of the town but failing to fully capture it. After the second attack, New Ulm was evacuated.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battles of New Ulm were two engagements fought in August 1862 at New Ulm, Minnesota, forming part of the opening phase of the Dakota War of 1862. Dakota forces attacked the town on August 19 and again on August 23, destroying much of it in the process. Despite the destruction, the defenders under Jacob Nix and Charles Flandrau held off the attacking forces led by Big Eagle and Little Crow, preventing the town's complete capture. The outcome was nonetheless severe enough that New Ulm was evacuated following the second assault, representing a significant displacement of the settler population. The two battles illustrated the intensity of Dakota resistance early in the conflict and the precarious position of European settler communities in Minnesota during the war's initial weeks.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (5)