Civil War and U.S.-Dakota War
The 1860s were a turbulent time for the new state of Minnesota. This section includes materials related to Minnesota's involvement in the Civil War as well as the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.
Civil War
Camp of the First Minnesota Regiment, Poolesville, Maryland, 1861-62
Photograph album of Minnesota Volunteers, 1861-1866
Collage of portraits from Company A, Seventh Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, 1862-1865
Biographies of members of Company B, 1st Minnesota Volunteers
Eugene St. Julien Cox documents
James and Rhoda George family letters
U.S.-Dakota War of 1862
Photographs documenting the U.S.-Dakota War
(particularly the sites and monuments)
Stephen Riggs settler refugee party
Letters from Lt. Thomas van Etten
Letter from Bradley Wheelock about New Ulm
Little Crow’s daughters in Mankato
Site of the execution in Mankato
Captured settler books:
- Captured by the Indians
- The Adventures of "Antelope Bill" in the Indian War of 1862
- The Story of My Capture and Escape
- Note: these may need a content, language, and/or bias warning
Dakota language religion and educational books
After the U.S.-Dakota War ended, many Dakota were exiled to Nebraska. There, they printed books in their own language.
Curated Resources
War Stories: Civil War
In this online exhibit, learn how Minnesotans proved their worth to the country by fighting in the Civil War.
Minnesota History Timeline, Part 1
Part 1 of this timeline explores significant moments in the history and development of Minnesota from prehistory to 1900.
About the Minnesota Digital Library
The Minnesota Digital Library (MDL) supports discovery and education through free access to unique digital collections shared by cultural heritage organizations from across the state of Minnesota. Our contributors include libraries, historical societies, museums, and archives. Begun in 2003, MDL includes digital content from over 200 participating organizations from across the state. Together we have digitized more than 60,000 photographs, postcards, maps, documents, letters, oral histories, and much more. These materials are available online in a free searchable database.
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