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Within New Ulm, the white population honors and commemorates their ancestors that
fell in battle during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. The primary location to find historical
information on this conflict is the Brown County Historical Society, run by curator Darla
Gebhard. The town of New Ulm, according to Gebhard, memorializes the white settlers that died
during the two battles of New Ulm and around Brown County. Beginning in 1866, parades to
honor these fallen heroes marched through the streets of New Ulm. Initially, these events hosted
both white citizens and Dakota veterans to remember this war. At the first tribute, the Mayor of
New Ulm presented a speech to celebrate the heritage and heroism during the Dakota War.18
Many attended this event, and all honored both sides of the conflict.

After 1866, New Ulm residence pursued a more biased approach at remembering the
battle, and by the time of 1867, the white interpretation became the dominant narrative of the
Dakota War, yet even this whitewashing could not completely undo the memory of the Native
involvement. In 1880, a massive Independence Day celebration took place, where the audience
welcomed 1,200 Dakota to witness reenactments of both battles of New Ulm. In addition to the
large number of Dakota attendees, more than 200 participated in living history demonstrations.
Additionally, at the fortieth anniversary in 1902, the Dakota participated in another reenactment,
labeled as the “Slam Battle,” and in 1922, thirty Dakota came together to take part in the sixtieth
anniversary, labeled “[The] Anniversary Indian Massacre Celebration and Homecoming.” All of
these events celebrate the conflict, but none other than the centennial celebration, which
highlighted Little Crow’s grandson—the leader of the Dakota during the conflict—during a
parade. During this event, a speaker presented a forceful message to bring reconciliation back to
the Dakota, stating, “The complete story of the uprising and its background shows clearly that

18 Darla Gebhard, Brown County Historical Society, Interview by Author, March 6, 2016.