This lavishly illustrated, richly detailed book presents, for the first time, a comprehensive picture of Minnesota's contribution to the nation's epic struggle during the Civil War. From diaries and letters, diaries and newspaper accounts, the words of the men who fought convey the terror of battle, the drudgery of marching, the fear of death, and the honour of camaraderie. In addition to the extensive use of first-hand accounts of the war, this book contains many seldom-seen contemporary photographs, portraits and artefacts drawn from the Minnesota Historical Society's outstanding collections.

While the Civil War raged in the East and South, Dakota Indians in Minnesota erupted violently into action against white settlers, igniting the tragic Dakota War of 1862. Hemmed in on a narrow reservation along the upper Minnesota River, the Dakota (Sioux) were frustrated by broken treaties, angered by dishonest agents and traders, and near starvation because of crop failures and late annuity payments. Led by Little Crow, Dakota warriors attacked the Redwood and Yellow Medicine Indian agencies and all whites living on their former lands in south-western Minnesota. They killed more than 450 whites and took some 250 white and mixed-blood prisoners during the 38-day conflict. White civilians and military units commanded by Henry H. Sibley defended towns and forts, pursued warriors, and eventually forced the Indians to surrender or flee westward. The penalties imposed by vengeful whites were swift and devastating. The federal government hanged 38 Dakota men in the largest mass execution in US history, 300 were imprisoned, and the Dakota people were banished from the state. This is the most accessible and balanced account available which draws on a wealth of written and visual materials by white and Indian participants and observers to show the sources of the Dakotas' justified and bitter wrath -- and the terrible consequences of the conflict.

This lavishly illustrated, richly detailed book presents for the first time a comprehensive picture of Minnesota's contribution to the nation's epic struggle during the Civil War. From diaries and letters, diaries and newspaper accounts, the words of the men who fought convey the terror of battle, the drudgery of marching, the fear of death, and the honour of camaraderie. In addition to the extensive use of first-hand accounts of the war, this book contains many seldom-seen contemporary photographs, portraits and artefacts drawn from the Minnesota Historical Society's outstanding collections.