Near Morton in Renville County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Battle of Birch Coulee
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013
1. The Battle of Birch Coulee Marker
south on Sept.
2-1862 were
150 soldiers
and citizens
soldiers died
killed
and in the
fight 158
wounded.
Erected 1898 by the Minnesota Valley Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, US Indian.
Location. 44° 34.652′ N, 94° 58.581′ W. Marker is near Morton, Minnesota, in Renville County. Marker is on 690th Avenue (County Road 2) 0.2 miles east of County Road 18, on the right when traveling east. Marker is along the northern edge of the Birch Coulee Battlefield. 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. The Battle Ends (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Battle of Birch Coulee (about 300 feet away); Battle Scars (about 400 feet away); "A Beautiful Place to Encamp" (about 600 feet away); After the Battle (about 600 feet away); Battle Tactics (about 700 feet away); Wrong Place, Wrong Time
this page online
More about this marker. In 1862, the Minnesota Dakota, also known by the French term, “Sioux," waged war against the United States following two years of unfulfilled treaty obligations. A burial detail of soldiers and civilians was dispatched from Fort Ridgely to bury the remains of settlers who had been killed in the early weeks of the war. During the first night out at Birch Coulee, the detail was surrounded by Dakota, who attacked at dawn.
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
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013
2. The Battle of Birch Coulee Marker
source: New Ulm Review; January 27, 1897
Also see . . . 1862 Dakota War. Website homepage:
"It was the largest Indian war in American history. The main battleground was the entire Minnesota River Valley in southern and central Minnesota. The uprising spread into the Dakota Territories and sent panic into Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin." (Submitted on February 17, 2014.)
Additional keywords. U.S.-Dakota War of 1862
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, September 25, 2013
3. The Battle of Birch Coulee Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 661 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 17, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
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