The US - Dakota War of 1862, A Minnesota History

On August 18th 1862, Dakota Sioux murdered more than 600 people (innocent settlers), because the annuity payments were late due to the civil war. The agency traders wouldn't give them food on credit until the payment checks came in. It was called the Dakota Sioux War 1862. Of the 498 trials, 303 men were convicted and sentenced to death. President Lincoln commuted the sentences of all but 38. It's called history, learn it and learn from it.

Even the tribes chief (Little Crow) and other tribal leaders did not want an uprising. Unfortunately, a small faction were incited by comments the agency traders made, which led to a group of younger members to start the killing. Many people were starving and hungry in those times. Most did not resort to murder of innocents to solve their predicament.

As I mentioned before delayed annuity payments (prescribed in a treaty that was agreed upon by both sides) were the root cause. The central issue was that Congress was arguing about Civil War funding and the annuity payment money was locked up in Congress until the budget could be resolved. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

 I'm well aware of broken treaties. I could recommend to you the book "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" for reference. It outlines the string of treaties and atrocities on both sides. In this instance though, "due process" was being carried out both by Congress (although slowly) and by the courts afterwards.

So what's the point of this discussion? That the world is full of injustice? That's not what we are discussing here. The Great Sioux War of 1865 has been reported and studied by both sides. The fact remains that 600 settlers were killed over late annuity payments. Yes, people were starving. Many people have gone hungry in the past, yet have resisted committing mass murder.

In fact, they scalped, disemboweled, beheaded, burned and raped many women and children. So the fact remains, justice was served by hanging and due process was upheld. 

So, in this case "due process" (which is now a hot topic concerning deportation), was followed. A few young Sioux murdered more than 600 people, going against the opinion and wishes of the tribal Chief Little Crow and most of the rest of the tribal elders. The due process comes in where, of the 498 trials that were done, 303 men were convicted and sentenced to death. President Lincoln commuted the sentences of all but 38. None of that can be disputed, or re-written based on opinion or bias, not even argued, because there is nothing to argue. Those are the facts whether you like them or not.