Whitestone Hill site marks fierce battle

Whitestone Hill Battlefield, located in the rolling prairies and lakes 23 miles southeast of Kulm, N.D., is among the North Dakota state historic sites that will open May 16. It marks the scene of the fiercest clash between Indians and white soldiers in North Dakota.

The battle at Whitestone Hill followed the Dakota War of 1862, when — after years of treaty violations — bands of eastern Sioux or Dakota had attacked and killed white settlers in Minnesota to drive them out of the area.

As part of a military mission to punish participants in the Dakota Conflict, Gen. Alfred Sully’s troops Sept. 3, 1863, attacked a camp of Yanktonai, some Dakota, Hunkpapa Lakota and Blackfeet (Sihasapa Lakota).

During the battle, 20 soldiers were killed and 38 were wounded. Although there was no accurate count of the Indian casualties, estimates ranged from 100 to 300 dead. In addition, 32 men and 124 women and children were captured. The Indians also suffered the destruction of virtually all of their property, leaving them nearly destitute for the coming winter.

Today, Whitestone Battlefield State Historic Site includes a portion of the battlefield and a small museum with exhibits explaining the 1863 Sibley and Sully expeditions and the Battle of Whitestone Hill.

More info: http://history.nd.gov/historicsites/whitestone/index.html.

Source: State Historical Society of North Dakota.

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