Forest City Stockade facts for kids
The Forest City Stockade was a strong wooden fort built in central Minnesota. It was made to protect settlers from attacks during the Dakota War of 1862. This fort became famous when it was attacked by the Dakota people. Today, the rebuilt stockade is a place for visitors. You can see how people lived in the 1800s. Volunteers dress in old clothes and show what life was like. There's also a special event in August. The stockade is located between Litchfield and Forest City. It's near Minnesota State Highway 24.
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The Dakota War and Forest City
The Dakota War of 1862 was a big conflict in Minnesota. News of the Acton Massacre quickly reached Forest City. This caused a lot of fear among the settlers. Many people started to leave the area right away. They packed what they could and headed east to safer towns.
On August 19, 1862, news arrived about fighting on the Minnesota River. A local leader, A. C. Smith, sent a message to the Governor. He asked for good guns and ammunition to help defend the town. A brave volunteer, Jesse V. Branham Sr., rode 100 miles to deliver this important message.
Many settlers continued to leave Forest City. By August 23, most people had gone. But some brave individuals decided to stay. They wanted to protect what was left of their homes. These people began to organize themselves. They formed a military group to defend the town. One of their first tasks was to gather horses.
Skirmishes and Building the Fort
As the days passed, there were several dangerous encounters. On August 25, a group of 27 men went looking for Dakota warriors. Instead, they found and buried seven settlers who had been killed. They also saw ruined homes.
A few days later, on August 27, another group went out. They were trying to get supplies like stoves and bedding. This group was attacked by about 15 Dakota warriors. Several settlers were killed in this ambush. It showed how dangerous the area had become.
Because of these attacks, the settlers knew they needed better protection. On September 3, 1862, they started building the Forest City Stockade. They planted a double row of logs deep into the ground. These logs stood ten feet tall. The fort was about 120 feet square. It was a strong wooden wall designed to keep them safe.
The Attack on the Stockade
The very next day, September 4, 1862, about 250 Dakota warriors appeared. They found the newly built stockade. The warriors tried to burn parts of the town. They also shot at the stockade and stole horses that weren't inside the fort. The settlers inside the stockade fought back. Reports say ten to twelve Dakota warriors were killed. One soldier inside the stockade was injured. Several settler homes and a barn were burned during the attack.
About a week later, on September 15, soldiers from the 8th Minnesota Infantry Regiment arrived. They were the first official military help for Meeker County. By October 15, the local volunteers who had defended the stockade were officially disbanded.
Who Defended the Stockade
Many brave people defended the Forest City Stockade. They were known as the 'Meeker County Volunteers'. These volunteers included settlers who had stayed in Forest City. Some of them were local officials like the Sheriff and County Commissioner. They worked together to protect their community.
Some notable defenders included:
- J. B. Atkinson: The Sheriff and County Commissioner. He was elected as the 1st Lieutenant of the volunteers.
- Jesse V. Branham Sr.: He rode 100 miles to get military help.
- William H. Branham: Elected 1st Sergeant. He was on guard duty the night of the attack and was wounded.
- Nels Danielson: He was wounded during the attack.
- Chancey Dart: He was on guard duty and fired a warning shot when the attack began.
- James M. Harvey: The county auditor. He was seen as a hero during the conflict.
- Samuel Hutchins: He was hit in the thigh by a musket ball during a skirmish before the main attack.
- Aslog Olson: He helped secure the north side of the stockade and was wounded during a counterattack.
- Abner Comstock Smith: The Judge of Probate. He was a key leader who stayed in Forest City.
- Henry L. Smith: He was on guard duty and fired the first shot back at the Dakota warriors.
- Hamlet Stevens: Elected 2nd Lieutenant. He was on guard duty and also fired a warning shot.
These individuals and many others worked together to defend their homes and families during a very difficult time.
