Battle of Fort Ridgely

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Battle of Fort Ridgely
Part of the Dakota War of 1862, American Civil War
Fort Ridgely burning (1890 oil painting)
Date August 20, 1862 (1862-08-20) – August 22, 1862 (1862-08-22) Location Nicollet County, Minnesota 44°27′04″N 94°43′51″W / 44.4511°N 94.7308°W / 44.4511; -94.7308 Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Santee Sioux
Commanders and leaders
Capt. John S. Marsh Lt. Timothy J. Sheehan	Chief Little Crow
Units involved
Companies B and C 5th Minnesota Infantry Renville Rangers
Strength
210 (August 22)	400-600 (August 20) 800-1,000 (August 22)
Casualties and losses
3 killed[1] 1 mortally wounded 13 wounded[1]	2 confirmed killed 5 confirmed wounded

The Battle of Fort Ridgely was an early battle in the Dakota War of 1862. As the closest U.S. military post to the Lower Sioux Agency, the lightly fortified Fort Ridgely quickly became both a destination for refugees and a target of Dakota warbands after the attack at the Lower Sioux Agency. It came under attack by the Dakota on August 20, 1862, two days after a company of soldiers responding from the fort to the attack on the Lower Sioux Agency had been ambushed and defeated at the Battle of Redwood Ferry. The Dakota besieged and partially destroyed the fort, but were unable to storm it before the August 27 arrival of Colonel Henry Sibley with 1,400 men from Fort Snelling prompted them to retreat.