After the attack at the Lower Sioux Agency near Morton, twenty-five to thirty Dakota warriors camped here on August 18, 1862, en route to the lake settlements in Kandiyohi County. The Dakota in this party had frequently hunted in the lake region and were thoroughly acquainted with the country and many of the people, which gave them a military advantage. Without a known leader, this band later joined a party of 110 warriors under Chiefs Little Crow and Walk Among Sacred Stones, coming from the Battle of Birch Coulee toward objectives in Meeker and McLeod counties.