The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-04
NEW NATIONAL PARK
OLD SOLFIE-S WANT UNCLE SAM TO
PRESERVE SITE OF FORT
RIDGELY
TURNING POINT OF SIOUX WAR

When the Garrison Of the Old Stock
nde WithstOOd the Sioux Siege, 1t
Meant the Permanent Subjuga-
tIon of the RebeIIfOHs Indians In
the New state of MinesOtR-Park
Association Incorporated.
It needed but the suggestion for the
Grand Army of the Republic, in Its en-
campment at Minneapolis Wednesday, to
pass a resolution petitioning congress to
pass bill. already introduced provid
ing for a national park at the site of old
Fort Ridgely.
Many of the members of the Grand
Army present at the encampment had
served in the Fifth Minnesota volunteers,
and the resolutions were greeted with
enthusiasm. Considerable of the inter.
esting history of the territory included
I'm the park was embodied in the pream.
BILE to the resolutions as follows:
The Grand Army of the Republic. de-
parment of Minnesota, now in session at
the city of Minneapolis, respectfully rep
resents to the president and congress of
the United States:
That Fort Ridgely was erected by the
nesota river, at the most western eX-
tremity Of the county of Nicollet, in the
state of Minnesota. That the point choS-
EN- for the fort was at that time in the
midst of the country of the Sioux of the
Mississippi, and on their reservation,
and on the extreme frontier of civiliza-
lion. That IT served as protection TO
the immigrants who rapidly settled that
part of the state after Its erection. 1t
was abandoned as a military post short
~ before the Civil war.
In 1862 the Sioux Indians rebelled
against the government and made war
on the whites killing many of them, and
destroying much OF their property. The
fort was at the time of the outbreak
garrisOned by one company Of the Fifth
Minnesota volunteer infantry, command
ed by Capt. John +. Marsh, who, with
forty-five men of his. company, immedi-
Rtely on hearing of the danger, went to
the front for the protection OF the cit
liens, and was attacked by the Indians,
losing twenty-three of his men, and his
service. and was himself drowned. Dur
ing the next few days the settlers from
all the country round took refuge in the
largely women and children, and re-
mained under its sheltering protection.
After the death of Capt. Marsh the fort
sheehan. 1t was besieged by the whole
tribe of these Indians for eight or nine
days, in the most determined manner,
and was bravely, resolutely and success
fully defended by its small garrison. The
result of this repulse of the Indians at
the very initial step Of their war on the
whites was of incalCuleble value to the
state of Minnesota and its inhabitants,
and confined the struggle to the border,
which otherwise would have penetrated
into the heart of the state.
The killed of Capt. Marsh's force, to-
gether with many Others soldiers and
citizens. were buried at the fort. These
Incidents connected with Fort Ridgely
make 1t historic and sacred ground to
the people OF our state, which sentiment
has found recognition in two instances.
A handsome and appropriate monument
was erected by the state in the small
cemetery over the graves of the fallen
heroes of Fort Ridgely, and afterwards