Caught Unaware!

Caught Unaware!. Settlers in the Area of Birch Coolie Creek. , In 1862, settlers in the area of Birch Coolie Creek were living peaceful lives, having come to this area to take up new homesteads. They were in large part recent immigrants to this country. When they settled here they were mostly unaware of the tensions brewing between the U.S. government and some of the Dakota Indians. They were drawn here by the promise of land rich with fertile soil and natural resources. They were not traders or soldiers. They were without protection, administrative services, or any conventional local governmental structure. They were simply seeking better lives for themselves and their children. , On August 18, 1862, unarmed men, women and children were killed and wounded on their homesteads in surprise attacks by some of the Dakota Indians at the outbreak of the U.S. – Dakota War. Many of the dead lay in unmarked graves close to where they fell. Others were able to escape to Fort Ridgely. All were forced off their land and most never returned. The attacks scattered the survivors and their descendants around the State. , Just over 100 people, some military but most civilian, were killed within a 3-mile radius of the point where Birch Coolie Creek flows into the Minnesota River. It was the epicenter of the U.S. – Dakota War, during which hundreds of settlers were killed. , One hundred fifty years later, the descendants of these settlers returned to erect this panel to recognize their ancestors' sacrifice and place in Minnesota history. , What Happened to the Settlers on August 18, 1862... , Among those Killed , Thomas Brooks . Charles Clasen . Frederick Clasen . Pierre Perreault . Eusebi Picard . Frederika Witt . John, John Jr. and Gottfried Zimmerman , , Among those Taken Captive , Marguerita Cardinal . Clement Cardinal Jr. . Ellen Clasen . Mary Clasen . Martha McConnell Clasen . David, Nancy, David Jr., Mary Josephine and Nancy Faribault . Elizabeth Picard , , Among those who Escaped to Fort Ridgely , George, Salome, Catherine, Margaret, Emily, Mary Ann, Martha and George Everett Buery . Clement Cardinal . Carolina and John Clasen . John, Mary, William H., Louis W. and Ferdinand Kumro . Louis, Rosette, Louis Jr., L., Spencer, Adrienne and Olive LaCroix . David and Joseph McConnell . Ellen Carson McConnell . Elizabeth, Genevieve, Melina, Joseph, George, and Philomene Perreault . Elizabeth and Eusebi Picard Jr. . Carl, William, Mary, Johanna, Joseph, and Herman Carl Witt . Mary, Mary, Elizabeth and Sam Zimmerman , The Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway , logos of: Scenic Byway Minnesota River Valley; Renville County; Renville County Historical Museum , mnrivervalley.com , renvillecountyhistory.com.