Fort Snelling in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Executions at Fort Snelling

Wokiksuye/Remembrance

Photographed By McGhiever, June 30, 2023

1. Executions at Fort Snelling Marker

Inscription. A critical moment of the US–Dakota War took place a few steps away from here on November 11, 1865, with the execution of Dakota leaders Sakpedan and Wakan Ozanzan. Drugged and kidnapped from their refuge in Canada, the two leaders faced trial by a military commission for the alleged murders of civilians during the war.

At trial, Wakan Ozanzan's attorneys questioned the authority of the tribunal, arguing that it was illegal for the United States to seize the two leaders from Canada by force. Witnesses denied seeing either one commit crimes, but several claimed to hear them admitting to their actions. Such hearsay evidence, the editor of the St. Paul Pioneer wrote, weakened the case: No white man, tried by a jury of his peers, would be executed upon the testimony thus produced.

Sakpedan and Wakan Ozanzan while imprisoned at Fort Snelling, about 1864–1865.

Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is November 11, 1865.

Location. 44° 53.559′ N, 93° 10.955′ W. Marker is in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. Marker is on Tower Avenue.

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The marker is at Historic Fort Snelling, on the paved path between the visitor center and the old fort. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Tower Avenue, Saint Paul MN 55111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Imprisonment of Dakota Families (here, next to this marker); US–Dakota War of 1862 (a few steps from this marker); Pride (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Peters Agency (within shouting distance of this marker); Perseverance (within shouting distance of this marker); Sacrifice (within shouting distance of this marker); Three Sisters Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel Josiah Snelling (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Snelling.

Executions at Fort Snelling Marker (right) in front of Historic Fort Snelling image. Click for full size.

Photographed By McGhiever, June 30, 2023

2. Executions at Fort Snelling Marker (right) in front of Historic Fort Snelling

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.