Battle Scars

At Birch Coulee, most of the U.S. horses tethered to wagons on the campsite's east side were killed early, and Dakota fire blocked the Minnesota River, the soldiers' source of fresh water. By nightfall, most of the burial detail's food was gone, and the men fought without water and provisions except one-fourth of a hard cracker and about one ounce of raw cabbage per man, while joking freely about their heavy diet. Destructive enemy fire also rendered many arms, saddles, and camp equipments useless. The firearms that remained undamaged were of limited value because after the soldiers used their first rounds of ammunition, they discovered that a supply officer had sent bullets too large for their guns, forcing them to lose time shaving down the oversized bullets.

Minnesota · United States