Near Morton in Renville County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Battle of Birch Coulee

Big Eagle

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013

1. The Battle of Birch Coulee Marker

Inscription. West of crest of hill
and 755 feet east
was one of the principal
points of attack by
the Sioux indians
under Big Eagle,
Sept 2-3, 1862.

Erected 1898 by the Minnesota Valley Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, US Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1735.

Location. 44° 34.533′ N, 94° 58.805′ W. Marker is near Morton, Minnesota, in Renville County. Marker is on County Road 18, 0.1 miles south of 690th Avenue (County Road 2), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Morton MN 56270, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dakota Positions (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Prairie Factor (about 400 feet away); “The Fight Was On” (about 400 feet away); Battle Tactics (about 600 feet away); Battle Scars (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wrong Place, Wrong Time (approx. 0.2 miles away); "A Beautiful Place to Encamp" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Two Men, One War (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morton.

More about this marker. In 1862, the Minnesota Dakota, also known by the French term, “Sioux," waged war against the

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United States following two years of unfulfilled treaty obligations.

The defenses of New Ulm, Fort Ridgely and Birch Coulie were as gallant episodes as any that are recorded in the military annals of the Republic, and yet the American historian commonly gives them but the briefest mention, or omits them entirely from his pages... 868 men, women, and children perished by actual count. Those killed whose remains were never found and the soldiers and citizens killed or mortally wounded in the hostile engagements with the Indians made the total death list number at least 950.
excerpt from: Monuments and Tablets Erected by the Minnesota Valley Historical Society 1902

The Minnesota Valley Historical Society was composed of citizens of Renville and Redwood counties, that contracted with the Peterson Granite Company of St. Paul, to identify and mark historic sites. "As time passes the exact sites of many or these memorable incidents are liable to be lost, and the society wisely concluded to locate and mark them now, while there are living witnesses and other competent authorities to designate them."
source: New Ulm Review; January 27, 1897

Also see . . .
1. Birch Coulee Battlefield. Minnesota Historical Society website entry:
"The battle of Birch Coulee was fought on Sept. 2 and 3, 1862. On Sept. 1, a burial detail of 160 to 170 soldiers

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013

2. The Battle of Birch Coulee Marker

Birch Coulee Battlefield National Register of Historic Places #73000995

and civilians was dispatched from Fort Ridgely to bury the remains of settlers who had been killed in the early weeks of the U.S.-Dakota War. At the end of their first day out, a flat, open piece of ground near Birch Coulee Creek was selected for the night’s camp. During the night, the detail was surrounded by Dakota, who attacked at dawn. Badly outnumbered and highly exposed, the detail was under siege for nearly 36 hours." (Submitted on August 16, 2013.)

2. Birch Coulee Battlefield. Wikipedia entry. "Birch Coulee was the site of the Battle of Birch Coulee, one of the deadliest battles of the Dakota War of 1862." (Submitted on August 16, 2013.)

Additional keywords. U.S.-Dakota War of 1862

Sign by Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013

3. Sign by Marker

This Marker Commemorates The Battle of Birch Coulee.
In 1898 the Minnesota Valley Historical Society was founded to mark significant places related to the U.S.-Dakota War.
This marker is one of four placed near the battlefield by the Minnesota Valley Historical Society.
Minnesota Historical Society
Birch Coulee Battlefield

Birch Coulee Battle Site image. Click for more information.

via NPS, unknown

4. Birch Coulee Battle Site

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
at NPGallery Digital Asset Management System
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 685 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 16, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on June 12, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.