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: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Law Enforcement • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is November 11, 1865.

Location. 44° 53.559′ N, 93° 10.955′ W.

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Marker is in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is on Tower Avenue. 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

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); DAR Commemorative Plaques (within shouting distance of this marker); Perseverance (within shouting distance

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

of this marker); The Round Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Flagpole (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Snelling.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Prairie (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

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 593 times since then and 51 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.