Timeline: December 26, 1862, Dakota Conflict, Sioux Uprising

ON THIS DATE, DECEMBER 26, 1862, EXACTLY 150 YEARS AGO, 38 CONDEMNED DAKOTA WARRIORS, SINGING AND CHANTING DAKOTA SONGS, ARE LED TO THE GALLOWS IN MANKATO. THREE DRUMBEATS SIGNAL THE MOMENT OF EXECUTION AT 10:00 A.M. THE CROWN ESTIMATED AT 4,000 BY HARPERS WEEKLY CHEERS AS THE GALLOWS FLOOR DROPS AND THE DAKOTA ARE HUNG. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD, THE BODIES ARE BURIED IN A SANDBAR IN THE MINNESOTA RIVER NEAR THE GALLOWS. THEY ARE DUG UP BY THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY A SHORT TIME LATER AND SOLD TO MEDICAL SCHOOLS FOR DISSECTION. DR. W.W. MAYO OF LESUEUR TAKES THE BODY OF CUT NOSE. HE RENDERS IT TO A SKELETON WHICH HIS SONS, WILL AND CHARLIE, USE TO LEARN HUMAN ANATOMY.

This hanging ends the sesquicentennial observance of the Dakota Conflict of 1862, a little-known part of the American Civil War and a sad chapter in American history. Read the story in the format of your choice at the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002HWSX12