After the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, the United States Army carried out federal security policies by removing remaining noncombatant Dakota people, pursuing combatants, and protecting settled areas. In August 1863, Jesse V. Branham, Sr., William Branham, and William and Charles Kruger harvested grain on William Kruger's farm eight miles south of Forest City. After tethering their horses for the night, they discovered the next morning that the horses were missing and found a trail leading west toward Kandiyohi County. Mounted soldiers followed the trail into this area, found the horses tethered, and discovered two Dakota men asleep. The soldiers surrounded them and fired a gun. The Dakota men awoke fighting and nearly killed or captured the soldiers in the melee before they themselves were killed.