Photo by Clay Schuldt The New Ulm Battery fires three rounds near the Defender’s Monument, in honor of those who gave their lives defending New Ulm during the U.S. Dakota War.

NEW ULM — A special tribute was held to the New Ulm defenders, Saturday complete with a wreath-laying and the firing of the New Ulm Battery cannon.

The tribute was held at the Defender’s Monuments located in the middle of Center Street between the Courthouse and State Street Theater. The Defender’s Monument contains the names of those who protected New Ulm from attack by the Dakota during the two battles of New Ulm.

Junior Pioneer Club President George Downs gave a speech in honor of the defenders. He explained the obelisk monument was erected in 1890 to honor the defenders who successfully saved New Ulm from destruction.

Downs said in addition to saving New Ulm, the defenders protected farm families that fled to New Ulm for protection. Those defending New Ulm on Aug. 19, 1862, were forced to mount a defense with little preparation. Few firearms were available and many were prepared to use farm implements to fight.

Downs said while preparing to defend the town, Jacob Nix went out of the barricades to bring people into the defenses, including Downs’s great-grandmother Katherine Pfaender and her six children. His great-grandfather, Wilhelm, was away in the Civil War at the time.

The defenders were able to fight off the Dakota during the first battle. Later small militia groups arrived to defend the town. The second battle on Aug. 23 saw an assault on all sides. Soldiers in the town were outnumbered, but the defenses held. By the next day, more reinforcements arrived and the attacker retreated leaving more than 180 buildings — homes and businesses, destroyed.

New Ulm was abandoned after the second battle. More than 2,500 people who survived four days in barricades were evacuated to Mankato. After peace was achieved, the town was re-populated and grew into the New Ulm of today.

Downs said during the battle, 27 of the militia defenders were killed. Their names appear on the monument. Also listed are 10 citizens who were attacked while performing reconnaissance early in the battle.

“As we lay this wreath, I’d like to add to that list the brave citizens –men and women — who defended the town in the first battle, and made it possible for there to be a town for the militias to defend,” Downs said.

“On behalf of the town of New Ulm and the Junior Pioneers, we present this tribute to all the defenders of New Ulm,” he said.

Downs and Mayor Terry Sveine placed a wreath near the Defender’s Monument as the New Ulm Battery fired three rounds in tribute.