2026 Minnesota History Day Winning Essay
The following is an essay written by Madelyn Barten. Madelyn is a junior in high school from Lindstrom. She is a homeschooled student, but she takes online AP classes as well as PSEO classes through Bethel University. She plays lacrosse for her local high school and participates in competitive speech and debate. She enjoys reading history, baking, and hanging out with friends. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue a degree in systems engineering or physics at USMA. We have invited her and a parent or guardian to attend one of the meetings in the 2026-2027 season.
The 8th Minnesota: A Bridge Between Narratives
By Madelyn Barten
“There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” Harry Truman.[1] This is a theme that is still true today as, even in our hyper digitalized world, there are many pieces of history that have become overshadowed by other events. The American Indian Wars are just one such. When people think of the 1860s, they immediately think of the Civil War and the violent conflict between the North and South. However, at the same time, the Union was fighting another war, a war that, for many border states along the western edge of the nation, was even more significant to them. The 1860s featured the continuation of the American Indian Wars, involving the Colorado War, the Navajo Wars, and the beginning of the Bozeman Trail conflicts. But perhaps one of the most standout was the Dakota Wars.[2] Many of the Minnesotan regiments who served in the Civil War also saw time fighting in this war, creating a very unique parallel between the two. In the face of both of these rebellions, Minnesota had to balance its reactions to help secure the future of this state. One unit who saw action in both was the 8th Minnesotan Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
In the early 1800s, white settlers in Minnesota had led a fairly peaceful coexistence with the Native Population who had originally lived there, the Anishinaabe and the Dakota. Numerous treaties had helped to ease land deals and to prevent violence. However, in 1851, a looming trend of western expansion and the desire for more land led the Territorial Governor of Minnesota, Alexander Ramsey, to begin working towards a new treaty, with the help of Henry Sibley.[3] The treaty of Mendota[4] and the Treaty of Traverse de Sioux[5] gave the United States the opportunity they needed to take over millions of acres of land that was formerly Dakota. This meant that a large number of the Dakota were relegated to a reservation on either side of part of the Minnesota River. This confinement meant that the Dakota were prevented from practicing many of their traditions and ways of life,[6] stirring up dissent and anger towards the U.S. Government. These feelings were only exasperated by the Treaty of Washington in 1858, which reduced the Dakota Reservation to an even smaller plot of land.
At the same time, Minnesota was gearing up to be part of the Civil War. This included the creation of numerous new regiments, including the 8th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment. However, this unit was not immediately sent to face the rebellion of the southern states as it was delegated to other tasks following the outbreak of another rebellion in 1862: the Dakota War. Rising tensions had ultimately culminated in the killing of five white settlers by a group of Dakota. A military force was quickly raised and put under the command of Henry Sibley. Following a conflict of several months, the Dakota were defeated in the Battle of Wood Lake in September of 1862.[7] Throughout this time, the 8th Minnesota was distributed among several forts and towns and tasked with manning and protecting them against any future attacks. Many of these men lived fairly normal lives on the posts where they were assigned, getting used to military life. However, some expressed fear that their regiments would not see action in the war. 2nd Lieutenant E.L. Clark noted in a letter to his wife in September of 1862, after hearing talk that his regiment might be called up that he was, “sore afraid it will not amount to much.”[8] This time also featured much training up of the men, as reflected in Lieutenant Clark’s letters, as he noted different training exercises throughout this times, including one exciting milestone when, “We had our guns today.”[9]=After this time, parts of the regiment were moved to different towns, Clark himself marching to New Ulm. In many of these towns and posts, a heavy air of uncertainty and even fear prevailed over them. Extra sentinels and watches were posted to monitor traffic, and 2nd Lieutenant Clark found himself caught up in this, as his regiment was, “Doing heavy guard duty…. Every third night.”[10] Despite the high tensions experienced here, the 8th Minnesota did not actually participate in any combat throughout the rest of 1862, 1863, and into early 1864.
However, this was not the end of the conflict between the U.S. and the Dakota peoples, nor was it the end of the involvement of the 8th Minnesota. The mounting tensions forming from the rebellions of both the Southern states and the Dakota Peoples would continue developing for years. In 1863, another military expedition was launched against the Dakota, this time against those Dakota who had left Minnesota and moved to other territories. This was an expedition that would be repeated in 1864, and one that would ultimately involve the 8th Minnesota. Beginning in May of 1864, the eighth Minnesota proceeded to Fort Ridgely, which is in southwest Minnesota, where they received more training before heading towards the west in June. However, not everyone from the 8th Minnesota went west. In an interesting development that demonstrates the intertwining of the Civil and Dakota Wars, 2nd Lieutenant Clark went east to Tennessee in spring of 1864 to help deliver some new draftees to the 2nd Minnesota Infantry Regiment in Chattanooga.[11] Even at the height of its involvement in the Dakota Wars, the 8th Minnesota could not escape the overshadowing presence of the Civil War. Back in Minnesota, this was an exciting time for many of the men, as they visited their families in the beginning of May before setting off towards Ft. Ridgely. The goal of this expedition under General Sully was to push the Dakota and Lakota peoples beyond the Missouri river in what is now present day South Dakota.[12] Much of the time was spent traveling through the Dakotas, an adventure that was appreciated by many of the soldiers on this expedition, and the majestic vistas and unique animals were well documented in the diary of a member of this regiment, William Henry Strong. It was during this time that General Sully famously described the badlands as, “hell with the fires out.”[13] Strong’s diary also reflected the darker sides of the exhibition, as he recorded his role in the battle of Killdeer Mountain and the death of some of the men under his command. This firsthand account also demonstrated the unique battle situation that the 8th Minnesota found itself in, as these battles were fought in an untraditional way, with Strong describing how, “the Warriors mounted their Ponies and rode out around our forces.”[14] In these ensuing battles, specifically Killdeer Mountain and the Battle of the Badlands, the U.S. expedition defeated the Dakota before proceeding to Fort Rice on the Missouri River. This was a very formative time for the 8th Minnesota, as they were engaging in a unique style of warfare against an opponent who was fighting for their very way of life. However, the efforts of the 8th Minnesota often took a darker turn with their actions reflecting the broader opinion of the U.S. Government on Native American affairs. Part of the reason that Sully’s expedition was so successful in its quelling efforts was, because, in almost every action, the Dakota were not simply fighting a battle but rather trying to protect their families. Many of the battlefield encounters were delaying actions where the Dakota tried to slow the progress of U.S. Soldiers to protect the women, children, and elders. Regrettably, hundreds of these innocent people were still killed. On top of this, Sully’s expedition seized and destroyed half a million pounds of provisions and vital belongings, sentencing the Dakota to weather a punishing winter without necessary supplies in an unknown land.[15] While the U.S. government considered it a rebellion at the time, their reaction was unnecessarily violent and destroyed both a way of life and the lives of many people, both from the Dakota and from Sully’s expedition. This action would claim the lives of 83 men from the 8th Minnesota, with about two thirds falling to illness.[16]
Despite the exhausting service that the 8th Minnesota had given the U.S. in the Dakota War, they were not to return to Minnesota yet. The new war that the 8th Minnesota was heading towards was very different than the previous engagements that it had participated in. The Civil War, like the Dakota War, had its roots formed from decades of ideological conflict. Both dealt with the question of how and who should deserve being treated with the dignity of a human life. Whereas the battles fought against the Dakota and Lakota had featured small forces that had fought in many different manners with different weapons, the Civil War was a largescale war that involved hundreds of thousands of combatants on vast battlefields across the eastern United States. To the soldiers fighting these battles, there was one unifying thread between these two extremely different wars- in both, the U.S. was fighting a reactionary war against a rebellion against some of the very core beliefs and values of the United States. It was into this extreme situation that the 8th Minnesota was hurled almost as soon as they had returned from their expedition into Dakota territory.
Only eleven days after the 8th Minnesota had returned to Fort Snelling in Minnesota, they set out again on a journey towards the South, arriving in Tennessee in November. Here, they were stationed as part of a railroad guard. The 8th was first tried against the Confederates on December 4th when Confederate troops under General Hood mounted an attack against a blockhouse near where the 8th was stationed. During this time, the 8th was relegated to firing potshots across the river at the Confederate troops while another part of the Union force grappled with the main force, as the 8th was unable to find a ford. While the Confederates were quickly driven off in the ensuing fight, they were back three days later. The 8th Minnesota was sent to the front in this action and took part in a charge that exploited a gap that had opened in the Confederate lines. Thanks to the bravery of the 8th Minnesota and the other regiments that took part in this fight, the Confederates were ultimately routed and they suffered large losses. Unfortunately, because the 8th Minnesota had been right in the thick of the fighting, they were exposed to accurate small arms and cannon fire from the Confederates and suffered 91 casualties.[17]
The 8th did not have long to recover, however, as they were quickly sent on extremely long and exhaustive journey that took them through Washington D.C., where they stayed for only twelve days, before moving on to North Carolina, where they fought as part of the twenty-third Corps under General Cox. The 23rd Corps fought a few skirmishes with the Confederate General Bragg and his men at Wise Forks, then served as an occupation force until General Sherman arrived. After the surrender of the Confederates, the 8th Minnesota was returned to Minnesota and mustered out on July 11th of 1865.
For many of the men who fought with the 8th Minnesota, this was the end of the line for them. However, the actions of the 8th Minnesota had many long-lasting effects that impacted the way that both Minnesota and the U.S. Government on a larger scale progressed into the future. The individual roles that hundreds of regiments, including the 8th Minnesota, played in the Civil War allowed the Union to win and ushered in an era of reform and reconstruction. More Americans died in the Civil War than any other war in American history.[18] The end of this war also saw immense changes in the agricultural, economical, and moral beliefs of the entire nation. This reforms that resulted from the Civil War would forever alter the course of the rest of American history.[19]
In the great endeavor of the Civil War, the 8th Minnesota played only a small part. However, their role in the Dakota War would drastically change the future of Minnesota and U.S. relations with Native Americans. In 1863, Congress passed a law called the Dakota Removal Act that forced the Dakota people to move out of Minnesota, a factor that played in to the expeditions including Sully’s expedition over the next few years.[20] Despite the efforts of different lawmakers and, most recently, the passing of a bill by the South Dakota Legislature, this law is still intact in Congress.[21] This law, coupled with many other anti-Dakota and Native American movements in the aftermath of the Dakota War, caused decades of suffering for those impacted by them. Today, the starvation, cultural disruption, and atrocities that were committed against the Dakota people are still remembered by their descendants and communities.[22] However, there are still reforms to be made, as the Dakota people need to be recognized by the U.S. Government as not a hostile body and the Dakota Removal Act of 1863 needs to be repealed. The period after the Civil and Dakota Wars featured many reforms and reconfiguring of communities, both for good and evil. No matter the nature of these changes, however, they have wide reaching impacts that still affect our nation today.
The 8th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment’s story highlights a very unique issue that many border states faced during the 1860s- the fighting of a war on two fronts. It was a regiment created for a very specific purpose, and yet the battles this regiment participated in were extremely varied. Although it was only in service for roughly three years, the unit saw a huge chunk of American history and traversed thousands of miles, racking up the most mileage of any other Union unit throughout the last year of the war.[23] They fought from Montana to South Carolina, facing hunger, exhaustion, and numerous casualties. This unit also served an important role in highlighting the differences and similarities between these two major rebellions, that is the Civil War and the Dakota War. It also showed how the United States government and specifically the state of Minnesota worked to overcome these challenges and utilize their resources to the best of their ability. The 1800s were a time of great reform in many different areas for the United States, and it was also a time of expansion, secession, and the changing of ideals. For many states, their military was instrumental in the way that they responded to these different situations and Minnesota was no different.
[1] Truman, Harry. “Westeryears: Truman’s Commencement Address.” Westminster College, May 17, 2018. https://news.wcmo.edu/westeryears-trumans-commencement-address/
[2] No Author. “Indian Wars Campaigns.” U.S. Army Center of Military History, No Date. https://history.army.mil/Research/Reference-Topics/Army-Campaigns/Brief-Summaries/Indian-Wars/
[3] Dalbo, George. “From the Sioux Massacres to the Dakota Genocide.” Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, University of Minnesota. 2019. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fjt-OjvdbMfcdV5mG_lB18BZUsItYVdm/view
[4] Decarlo, Peter. “Treaty of Mendota, 1851.” Minnesota Historical Society, April 2013. https://www.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/event/treaty-mendota-1851
[5] Weber, Eric. “Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, 1851.” Minnesota Historical Society, November 2012. https://www.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/event/treaty-traverse-des-sioux-1851
[6] Decarlo, Peter. “The U.S.-Dakota war of 1862 lasted just six weeks, but its effects are still felt today.” MinnPost, March 2022. https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2022/03/the-u-s-dakota-war-of-1862-lasted-just-six-weeks-but-its-effects-are-still-felt-today/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9109082086&gbraid=0AAAAADo2Co-4QLzvK_afHzlSsf6YwemTe&gclid=CjwKCAiA7LzLBhAgEiwAjMWzCEpmyeMgLstLx6YPsz3lut2tPm-bUQN8TD0zgz28Q5GqIFkFqkwN-BoCIP0QAvD_BwE
[7] “Sibley and the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.” Dakota County Historical Society, No Date. https://www.dakotahistory.org/sibley-1862
[8] Clark, E.L. “Civil War Letters, 1862-1865.” Gale Family Library, Minnesota Historical Society. September 2, 1862.
[9] Clark, E.L. “Civil War Letters, 1862-1865.” Gale Family Library, Minnesota Historical Society. September 12, 1862.
[10] Clark, E.L. “Civil War Letters, 1862-1865.” Gale Family Library, Minnesota Historical Society. September 22, 1862.
[11] Clark, E.L. “Civil War Letters, 1862-1865.” Gale Family Library, Minnesota Historical Society. July 5, 1864.
[12] Pfaller, Rev. Louis. “Sully’s Expedition of 1864.” State Historical Society of North Dakota, January 1964. Page 29.
[13] Brooks, Chester L. and Ray H. Mattison. “Theodore Roosevelt and the Dakota Badlands.” The National Park Service, 1958. Page 5.
[14] Strong, John Henry. “A journal of the Northwestern Indian Expedition Under General Sully, 1864-1865.” Gale Family Library, Minnesota Historical Society. July 28, 1864.
[15] No Author. “Section 3: Sibley and Sully.” State Historical Society of North Dakota. No date. https://www.ndstudies.gov/gr4/frontier-era-north-dakota/part-5-frontier-army/section-3-sibley-and-sully
[16] “8th regiment, Minnesota Volunteer.” National Park Service, No date. https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=UMN0008RI
[17] Allyn, John. “Minnesota regiments at Nashville.” Battle of Nashville Trust. No Date. https://www.battleofnashvilletrust.org/features/minnesota-regiments-at-nashville/
[18] “Civil War Casualties.” American Battlefield Trust. No Date. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/civil-war-casualties
[19] McPherson, James. “Out of War, a New Nation.” National Archive, Spring 2010. https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2010/spring/newnation.html
[20] St. John et. All. “House Concurrent Resolution 6001.” South Dakota Legislature. 2021. Page 1.
[21] Herrera, Allison. “Act to repeal harmful law may not go far enough for Dakota People.” MPRNews, March 10, 2025. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/10/sioux-dakota-removal-act-could-be-repealed-in-south-dakota
[22] Herrera, Allison. “Pain, hope, history share the ride as Dakota Exiles commemorate Mankato hangings.” MPRNews, December 24, 2024. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/12/24/dakota-exiles-mankato-minnesota-hangings
[23] “MN in the Civil War.” Twin Cities Civil War Round Table. No Date. https://tccwrt.com/about/mn-civil-war/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This article was originally published in the June 1st 2025 Emerging Civil War Log and authored by:
Carol VanOrnum is Vice President of the CWRT Congress and
Editor of The Light Post and
Secretary of the Twin Cities CWRT.
Creating a Culture of Service
Profane, irascible, opinionated. These adjectives were often used to describe Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early – not deal-breakers by any means for a leader. Early was a rising star in the Army of Northern Virginia before undertaking the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. And yet, he lacked qualities that were vital for the successful leadership of his Confederate soldiers and subordinate commanders of the Second Corps. He held his cards close to his chest, sought only his own counsel, rarely seeking the advice of his highly capable Generals on tactics and strategies. He knew what his marching orders required of him, and that wasn’t up for discussion. These were fatal flaws that led to his army’s ultimate failure by the winter of 1864.
If he had been leading a Civil War Round Table in the same manner, the organization would quickly become root-bound and fail.
We all know the types of leaders of Round Tables. The one who does it all, wants control, and won’t share. Then the one who does it all but doesn’t know how to ask for help until it’s too late and burns out. And the one who appreciates others’ opinions and help from the start, encouraging participation, and clarifying expectations.
Developing a healthy culture of service and inclusion determines your organization’s success.
The Demise of the Dallas CWRT
The Dallas CWRT was established in 1987 by Pax Glenn and a close friend. For many years they enjoyed the Round Table’s fine presentations by notable speakers. Glenn served as President, and with his partner, felt they had a good run. Side by side, they managed the organization which counted about 40 members at its peak. But several factors began to erode the structure. Glenn’s partner passed away. Members aged out. Their $17 buffet reservations required a guaranteed minimum of thirty. When they couldn’t meet the minimum, Glenn withdrew funds to cover the difference, depleting their account, and they no longer could afford speakers’ travel expenses. Glenn was tired – after all, he’d been president for 45 years! He announced his retirement, and sadly, no one stepped forward to take the helm.
Other Round Tables survive, albeit tenuously, due to a sense of service from the same individuals whose rotation of board positions simulates a version of “musical chairs.” Leaders take on more and more, while the members sit back and enjoy the benefits. One CWRT comes to mind when I hear of all the duties and initiatives, however commendable, that are planned – all by one or two individuals. Leader burnout is right around the corner for them.
I’ve found that sometimes an initiative can be started by one person until it becomes an established activity within the Round Table, making it easier to transfer responsibility. When I learned about Old Baldy’s annual summer picnics, I wanted to try that for our own Round Table. We secured a picnic spot, organized the food, accepted donations, and held a trivia contest. Members enjoyed it. After three years of holding this event, I asked others on the board to take it from my plate. Several people now share the responsibility of planning and execution, and I can move on to other projects.
A Story of One Non-Volunteer’s Transformation
Why is there a lack of motivation? We asked the current past President of the Twin Cities CWRT, Rod Myers, his thoughts. Myers had never volunteered for any position in his ten years of membership. He shared, “I always had a sense of guilt. I’d spent all those years, honestly, sitting there and staring at my shoes, hoping no one was looking at me. I justified it, knowing that I could do it, but waiting for someone else to come forward. I think for most people, including myself, if I could avoid serving and just sit back, be entertained, and pay my dues, I had more freedom and no true responsibility for the organization.”
But Myers did stand up and serve as Vice President, President, and past President (in succession per TCCWRT Bylaws). It felt better than he thought it would. His personal pep talk was, “I am responsible, I can do this, I have skills if I get off my, uh, chair.” He realized he had access to a lot of help and support. And most importantly, he realized he wanted this organization to succeed. He enjoyed setting goals, adjusting them, and achieving them. Myers said that he would volunteer again and believes that the best way to get volunteers is to directly ask them.
I’ve come across several Round Tables who advertise for volunteers, with very little success in recruiting them. Whether their “ask” is through a newsletter, a mass emailing, or in pre-meeting slides, the results are the same: ZIP! The Old Baldy CWRT recently sent out an impressive multi-page document, listing every task that needed to be filled. Sadly, their President, Paul Prentiss, wrote in the following newsletter, “I am unhappy to report that no one new volunteered for any of the open administrative tasks. I know we have your moral and financial backing but to stand strong we need a few extra hands to support all of the functions our organization provides to you, our members, and the community. Please reconsider.”
So, while these efforts of publicizing are great, they are, in fact, only an informational tool, lacking in the inspirational tone to convince and inspire anyone to step forward. As Myers stated, it is face-to-face conversations that are going to get you the results you need. John Bamberl, past President of Scottsdale CWRT, adamantly agrees. He shares, “A simple ‘Hey Joe, I think you could handle this. We need you to help out here,’ and they say, “Yes!”
Rich Jankowski, past President of Old Baldy, shared his take. “Talking to members to build a connection and explain the need always generates more success. Listening and understanding the members results in support and commitment to the cause.”
Creating a Culture That Promotes Service
So how do you reverse the trend and create a healthy environment – one which members want to participate and contribute?
According to Achievers.com1, while leaders are steering the vessel, they need the next tier to buy in to the culture, and in turn, get the general membership to climb on board. Some of their tips include having open communication channels, believing everyone’s opinion matters, cultivating innovation, creativity, and teamwork, and asking for feedback. Show appreciation, listen more and talk less. Create trust. Believe that everyone has a skill or talent. (You can learn a lot about someone from reading a member’s profile created for your newsletter.)
These action items require you to reach out and have a face-to-face conversation. This goes for all leaders in your Round Table. Not just the board, but those ardent volunteers – they’re leaders too, leading by example – to nurture and grow the culture that will enrich your organization.
Start today. When Mike Hoover of the Inland Empire CWRT welcomes a new member, the first conversation he has is to let them know they have an opportunity to be involved in the leadership of the Round Table. He shares how that has worked for them. “This year, our President and Program Director are newer members, less than a year. And they’re both in their forties!”
Creating a culture of service provides joint benefits. As a leader, it alleviates the burden and lightens the load of running an organization. As a member, it’s going to instill ownership among those who have not felt a stake in the organization’s success. And it will unite all toward a common cause.
As Gary Gallagher, editor of Struggle for the Shenandoah: Essays on the 1864 Campaign, compared Philip Sheridan’s versus Jubal Early’s leadership skills, ultimately Sheridan’s “capacity to build an army, instill high morale among its soldiers, and inspire troops in battle through superb personal leadership resulted in overwhelming triumph.”2
1 For more information on ways to create a culture of service, click on the following link. Dewar, Kyla, 15 great ways to create a healthy work environment, 2024, https://www.achievers,com/blog/healthy-work-environment.
2 Gallagher, Gary, Editor, Struggle for the Shenandoah: Essays on the 1864 Campaign (Studies in the Social and Cultural), 1991, Kent State University Press
Battle Of Hampton Roads:
From Wood to Iron
Gavin Broman
Junior Division
Individual Documentary
I originally learned about my topic from the graphic novel “Big Bad Ironclad” by Nathan Hale. My
research took me to a lot of different navy databases like the Mariners Museum, Library of Congress, and
the Naval History and Heritage Command. It also took me to my local library to get books and to my school
library.
Most of my primary sources were naval reports from captains or important people that were on one
of the two ironclads. I also used database articles from Gale and Brittanica.
Originally I thought that the CSS Virginia and USS Monitor were the first ironclads made. I later
learned that they were only the first to fight each other in a battle. I also originally thought that the Union
ships being the USS Minnesota, USS Congress, and USS Cumberland were just there patrolling Hampton
Roads when the CSS Virginia attacked. I later learned that they were part of a naval blockade.
I put my project together with WeVideo which is a video editing software that my school has access
to. I have used editing softwares before like Capcut and Microsoft Clipchamp so it wasn’t a huge challenge
learning how to use the software.
My thesis is : During the US Civil war the Union made a blockade against the Confederacy in an
attempt to starve the country of resources.On March 8-9, 1862, the CSS Virginia attempted to break that
blockade during the Battle of Hampton Roads, but was halted by the USS Monitor, the Union ironclad. This
led to the Union winning the battle and becoming a turning point in naval technology and the transfer from
wood to iron warships. The main point I am trying to make is that the Battle of Hampton Roads was the
decisive battle that proved that ironclads and ships like them were going to be the future of naval warfare.
My topic relates to the theme, turning points in history because the battle proved that iron warships
could work and that they were far superior to the wooden warships of the time. This makes it an important
part of world history because all navies today consist of iron and steel warships.