Largest mass execution in US History

26th December 1862

Largest mass execution in US History

In August 1862 War broke out between the United States and the Sioux of Dakota. The war itself was reasonably short but massacres had taken place. 

The US Army had captured over 300 Sioux. Many of them were known to have participated in violent actions against white settlers, who now demanded action against the native americans. 

The situation was complex. President Lincoln needed to stamp US authority over the area whilst not provoking further uprisings. Local trials had found many of the imprisoned men guilty and sentencing prescribed the death sentence. 

President Lincoln ordered an examination of each case. It found two women and 38 men to have committed crimes of a nature that would carry the ultimate punishment. Lincoln therefore sanctioned the execution. 1 womans sentence was subsequently reduced to 10 years imprisonment. One mans sentence was quashed between Lincoln authorising the sentence and the date of execution: the Army provided new evidence that raised doubts over his guilt. 

The remaining 38 Sioux prisoners were held at Mankato, Minnesota. On 26th December 1862 they were taken out by the army, led to one large gallows constructed especially for 38 executions, and simultaneously hanged. 

The bodies were buried nearby but, as was common at the time, exhumed in the night and the cadavers sold to doctors for medical research. 

2 further Sioux leaders had escaped. They were captured at a later date and executed in 1865. 

The execution of 38 people is the largest in US History. It proved to be a hugely controversial act. It infuriated the Sioux. It also infuriated elements of the settlers communities who saw the clemency for many Sioux as being too lenient. 

Image: contemporary drawing of the execution. United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division, digital ID cph.3a04167