The forts two highest ranking officers-the commandant and the surgeon-lived with their families in this duplex. During the second battle of Fort Ridgely, Sergeant John Jones aimed the six pound cannon through the long central hallway of the building at the nearby stables which had been occupied by the Dakota. On the signal, Eliza Muller, wife of the surgeon, pulled the rope to open the far door, and Jones fired a heated cannon ball right through the hall and into the stables. The shot set the hay mow on fire and forced the Dakota to abandon their position.
Surgeon Quarters and Headquarters These are some of the items that would be found in the Commandants' Quarters
*All pictures are were taken at Fort Ridgely, Minnesota.
The Dakota Conflict Trials 1682
Web page designed by Erin Zempel & Sarah Altermatt 10-20-99
