The photo above is of Dakota, Medicine Bottle, brother of Big Eagle, who was one of the plus 2, he was kidnapped in Canada, with Shakopee (Little Six), where they had gone to for safety. They were returned to Minnesota and both were hung in 1865.

Medicine Bottle was one of the Chiefs who led the attack on Fort Ridgely, on foot. They followed a creek up to the Fort and then came up expecting to take the Fort easily, however it wasn't to be. Those of you who have been to the Fort, either today with the Ride, or at another time, will know why it didn't happen, the Dakota were using flaming arrows, or rifles, the soldiers used big guns! This was no David and Goliath, the walls of the Fort were made of stone and so thick, an arrow could not pierce them. Big Eagle says that they knew people were taking refuge in the Fort, they tried to see inside the buildings to see how many there were there, but they couldn't even see inside. They tried attacking for two days running but got nowhere, all they managed to do was set alight some out-buildings, the Fort was untouched of course. This escapade was why Medicine Bottle was hung.

To me it shows how desperate the Dakota were to make such a move on an armed, fortified, hard to reach place. Climbing up those steep hillocks must have been wearying, when I first saw the Fort, many years ago, I couldn't believe that they had even tried it. Brave people.

Sarah Hernandez (is at Birch Coulee.)
Horses are taking a much needed rest. It’s a beautiful sight; so many horses all together at Gabby and Darwin’s Ranch

Audrey Haas
Beautiful animals,

Betty Ives-Smith
Agreed!