Near Fairfax in Nicollet County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Captain John S. Marsh State Monument

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013

1. Captain John S. Marsh State Monument

west face

Inscription. Erected by the State of
Minnesota
1873
Built by Sullivan & Terry, Mankato.

In memory of Capt. John S. Marsh • First Serg't Russell H. Findley • Serg't Solon A. Trescott • Corp'l Joseph S. Besse • Private Charles R. Bell • Edwin F. Cole • Charles E. French • John Gardner • Jacob A. Gehring • John Holmes • Christian Joerger • Durs Kanzig • James H. Kerr • Wenzel Kusda • Henry McAllister • Wenzel Norton • Moses P. Parks • John W. Parks • John Parsley • Harrison Phillips • Nathaniel Pitcher • Henry A. Shepherd • Nathan Steward • Charles W. Smith Company B, Died August 18, 1862.

Private Mark M. Greer Company C Died August 22, 1862 Fifth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteers Infantry
— • — Peter Quinn, U.S. Interpreter killed at Redwood Ferry, Aug. 18, 1862.

Erected 1873 by the State of Minnesota. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics. This monument and memorial is listed in this topic list: Wars, US Indian.

Location. 44° 27.144′ N, 94° 43.809′ W. Monument is near Fairfax, Minnesota, in Nicollet County. It can be reached from County Highway 30 0.7 miles west of State Highway 4, on the right when traveling west. Monument

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is at Fort Ridgely State Cemetery within Fort Ridgely State Park; fee area – a Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required. Touch for map. Monument is in this post office area: Fairfax MN 55332, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial monument is in Southwest Minnesota and specifically in the Minnesota River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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: Eliza Müller State Monument (here, next to this marker); Chief Mou-Zoo-Mau-Nee State Monument (here, next to this marker); To the Memory of Hazen Mooers (a few steps from this marker); Joseph LaFramboise - (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Ridgely State Park's Buildings Today (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A New Deal for Fort Ridgely State Park (about 400 feet away); Working Year-Round to Develop the Park (about 400 feet away); CCC Camp Life is a Healthful One (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfax.

More about this monument. This monument was the first of 23 state monuments that were erected by the Minnesota legislature between 1873 and 1929; these monuments represent Minnesota's first public efforts to mark historic sites. The monument was built by Sullivan & Terry's Marble & Granite Works, Mankato, Minnesota.

Regarding Captain John S. Marsh State Monument. In 1862, the Minnesota Dakota, also known by the French term, “Sioux," waged war against the United States following two years of

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013

2. Captain John S. Marsh State Monument

south side

unfulfilled treaty obligations. Early in the morning of August 18, 1862, a large party of Dakota warriors attacked the Lower Sioux Agency; a few escapees managed to reach Fort Ridgely. Captain John S. Marsh, with interpreter Peter Quinn and 46 soldiers of the Fifth Minnesota Infantry, left Fort Ridgely en route towards the agency. The Dakota were waiting in ambush at the Redwood ferry – Quinn and twenty-three soldiers were killed and Marsh drowned. All of these men are buried at this monument in two trenches, except for the bodies of Wenzel Kusda, Henry McAllister and Henry A. Shepherd whose bodies were never found. Mark M. Greer of Company C was killed several days later at the battle of Fort Ridgely.

Also see . . .
1. Soldiers' Killed During Minnesota Dakota War of 1862. (Submitted on December 10, 2013.)
2. Those Who Served. "There were 72 soldiers who were members of Minnesota units who were killed in the Dakota Uprising... In addition to the 72 soldiers who were killed, another 44 members of various militias and armed civilians were killed..." (Submitted on December 10, 2013.)

3. Sioux War of 1862. (Submitted on December 10, 2013.)

Additional keywords. U.S.-Dakota War

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013

3. Captain John S. Marsh State Monument

east side

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013

4. Captain John S. Marsh State Monument

north side

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013

5. Captain John S. Marsh State Monument

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013

6. Captain John S. Marsh State Monument

Fort Ridgely State Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,122 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 10, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.