On the morning of August 18, 1862, Captain John Marsh, 46 soldiers, and interpreter Peter Quinn left the fort to respond to news of violence at Lower Sioux Agency. After an 11-mile march, they prepared to cross the Minnesota River at Redwood Ferry, where Sunka Ska, leader of the farmer Indians, called out for them to come across. Suspicious, Marsh ordered his men to stay put, and Dakota warriors concealed in the brush on both sides of the river opened fire. Quinn and 23 soldiers were killed in the attack. Under fire, the survivors worked their way down the river for four hours, and Marsh then decided their only chance was to cross the water. Carrying his sword and revolver, he led the way, lost his footing midway across, and drowned. The remaining soldiers straggled back to the fort under cover of darkness. Accounts of Sunka Ska's actions at the ferry conflict: Lieutenant T.J. Sheehan's official report said he reassured the soldiers and then leaped back firing his gun after a warning shout, Wambdi Tanka later recalled that Sunka Ska told Quinn to go back, and testimony at Sunka Ska's trial claimed he distracted Marsh and signaled the Dakota warriors to fire. After his trial, Sunka Ska was hanged in December 1862.