Ulmen Relatives Gathering at the Site of the Hanging of the 38 Sioux Warriors, Mankato MN December 26, 1862

(L to R) Steve Ulmen, Tony Ulmen, David Ullman, and Bob Diedrichsen at the Mankato MN site of the hanging of 38 Sioux warriors after the Dakota Conflict of 1862. This was and still remains the largest mass execution in U.S. history.

One unexpected benefit of writing the book "Blood on the Prairie: A Novel of the Sioux Uprising" was meeting relatives I never knew I had. David and his wife from Carbondale Illinois, were in town on Monday to tour the historic sites and do some genealogical research on their branch of the Ullman family.

Our mutual ancestors living in Mankato at the time of the Dakota Conflict were brothers Johann and Mathias Ulman, Johann was the great great Grandfather of Steven, Tony, and Bob, and Mathias was the great great Grandfather of David.

It was great meeting you, David, and have a great trip back home!

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Ol' Toby Ryker is off to Fort Belmont, Jackson Minnesota, Saturday September 10

to warn the settlers that Little Crow and his warriors are on the warpath. Buy "Blood on the Prairie: A Novel of the Sioux Uprising" at Amazon in the format of your choice by opening the link below:

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Timeline: September 2, 1862 Battle of Birch Coulee Dakota Conflict

154 years ago last Friday, The Battle of Birch Coulee was fought on the Minnesota Prairie. Sioux warriors under the command of Little Crow were en route to Mankato and St. Peter to attack them as they had done earlier at New Ulm. They surprised a burial detail sent out from Fort Ridgely by Col. Henry Sibley on the prairie south of the present day site of Olivia, MN. The battle of Birch Coulee was underway. It lasted 36 hours and the soldiers received the brunt of Sioux fury. Messengers sent back to Fort Ridgely alerted Col. Sibley the burial detail was under attack. Under the cover of nightfall Sibley led his infantry onto the battlefield along with some heavy artillery. At sunrise, the soldiers were in position. After several hours of fierce fighting, the Sioux were forced to retreat. Historians today indicate the Battle of Birch Coulee was won by the Sioux.

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