Wheeler Lake Camp

After fighting a running battle with the Dakota on August 20, 1862 at Diamond Lake, two groups of refugees from Spicer and Eagle Lake camped at Wheeler's Lake while the Dakota camped across the lake from them. There were no disturbances during the night. When the refugees left the next morning, the Dakota followed and attacked the vulnerable train of oxcarts about three miles southeast of the site. Andreas Lorentson and Sven Backlund stayed behind the main body of the refugee party to protect their cattle, and Dakota warriors killed Lorentson and Backlund in an attempt to seize the cattle. Silas Foot and William Kouts counterattacked, wounding one Dakota warrior and compelling the Dakota to retreat.

Minnesota · United States