Following the outbreak of hostilities between the Dakota and white settlers on August 18, 1862, hundreds of people fled from nearby farms to New Ulm for safety. Brown County Sheriff Charles Roos and Jacob Nix, a citizen with German military experience, quickly organized the men into a militia. Barricades were erected around three blocks on Minnesota Street between Center and Third North Streets, including one running down the alley roughly fifty feet behind Friedrich Kiesling's house. Made of wagons, boxes, and anything else available, the barricade was manned by local citizens during the first battle of New Ulm on August 19. After reinforcements arrived from St. Peter and other towns to the east, the defense line was improved in anticipation of another Dakota attack. A second battle took place on August 23. Earthworks remained in place at least until 1866, when General William Sherman visited the town and inspected the fortifications. In 1902, New Ulm artist Anton Gag painted a depiction of the battle on a flour barrelhead.