Battle of Acton
The Battle of Acton (also referred to as the Battle of Kelley's Bluff) was fought between the United States Army and the warrior bands of Chief Little Crow and Walker Among Stones during the Dakota War of 1862. Following the defeats at Fort Ridgley and New Ulm, Chief Little Crow led an incursion north out of the Minnesota River Valley into central Minnesota. A detachment of the Tenth Minnesota Infantry Regiment commanded by Captain Richard Strout was sent to protect the citizens of Meeker County.
| Battle of Acton | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Dakota War of 1862, American Civil War | |||||||
Battle of Acton Historical Marker | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| United States | Santee-Sioux | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Captain Richard Strout |
Chief Little Crow Walker Among Stones | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Strout's Detachment, 10th Minnesota Infantry Regiment | Bands of Walker Among Stones and Chief Little Crow | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
55 64 |
75 under Walker Among Stones 35 under Little Crow | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
3 Killed 15–23 Wounded 2 died of wounds | Unknown | ||||||
On September 2, the detachment made camp near the town of Acton. Strout was warned overnight that the Dakota were encamped with around 100 men nearby split into two groups. Marching southeast on September 3, 1862, Strout's men were attacked by Little Crow's men, then Walker Among Stones' men from the front, rear, and flanks multiple times, but managed to reach the relative safety of the stockaded town of Hutchinson.