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The Dakota Indian War swept southwestern Minnesota in August, 1862. Hundreds of white settlers and Dakota Indians were killed. In six short weeks, fighting ended and some defeated Dakotas fled to the western prairies, others surrendered. As a result of this conflict nearly 400 Dakotas were tried and 303 men sentenced to death. After intervention by President Lincoln, 38 Dakota men were executed at Mankato, Minnesota on December 26, 1862. At the same time, sixteen hundred Dakota women, children, and old men were detained at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.
