Transcriber Note Table of Contents added. Text emphasis denoted as _Italics_. [Illustration: Governor Alex Ramsey, of St. Paul, The Last of the War Governors.] A THRILLING NARRATIVE OF THE MINNESOTA MASSACRE AND THE SIOUX WAR OF 1862-63 GRAPHIC ACCOUNTS OF THE _SIEGE OF FORT RIDGELY, BATTLES OF BIRCH COOLIE, WOOD LAKE, BIG MOUND, STONY LAKE, DEAD BUFFALO LAKE AND MISSOURI RIVER_. ILLUSTRATED. CHICAGO: A. P. CONNOLLY, Publisher, PAST COMMANDER U. S. GRANT POST, NO. 28, G. A. R. DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS. Copyright 1896, by A. P. CONNOLLY CHICAGO. DONOHUE & HENNEBERRY, PRINTERS AND BINDERS, CHICAGO. DEDICATION. Thirty-four years ago and Minnesota was in an unusual state of excitement. The great War of the Rebellion was on and many of her sons were in the Union army "at the front." In addition, the Sioux Indian outbreak occurred and troops were hurriedly sent to the frontier. Company A, Sixth Minnesota Infantry, and detachments from other companies were sent out to bury the victims of the Indians. This duty performed, they rested from their labors and in an unguarded hour, they, too, were surrounded by the victorious Indians and suffered greatly in killed and wounded at Birch Coolie, Minnesota, on September 2 and 3, 1862. The men who gave up their lives at this historic place, have been remembered by the state in the erection of a beautiful monument to their memory and the names inscribed thereon are as follows: John College, sergeant, Company A, Sixth Minnesota. Wm. Irvine, sergeant, Company A, Sixth Minnesota. Wm. M. Cobb, corporal, Company A, Sixth Minnesota. Cornelius Coyle, private, Company A, Sixth Minnesota. George Coulter, private, Company A, Sixth Minnesota. Chauncey L. King, private, Company A, Sixth Minnesota. Henry Rolleau, private, Company A, Sixth Minnesota. Wm. Russell, private, Company A, Sixth Minnesota. Henry Whetsler, private, Company A, Sixth Minnesota. Benj. S. Terry, sergeant, Company G, Sixth Minnesota. F. C. W. Renneken, corporal, Company G, Sixth Minnesota. Robert Baxter, sergeant, Mounted Rangers. Richard Gibbons, corporal, Mounted Rangers. To these, knowing them all personally and well, I fraternally and reverentially inscribe this book. INTRODUCTION. "We are coming, Father Abraham, SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND MORE!" This was in response to the President's appeal for men to go to the front, and the vast levies this called for made men turn pale and maidens tremble.