whitestone hill historic site

On Sep. 3, 1863, the 6th Iowa Cavalry and the 2nd Nebraska led by General Alfred Sully attacked a tipi camp of Sioux Indians in what was called the bloodiest conflict to ever be fought on North Dakota soil. You can read all about it here; http://theusgenweb.org/nd/dickey/chap3.htmLocated just down the road from my folks' house, I have been a frequent visitor here over the years. There are two monuments honoring the hundreds of Indians and the soldiers who died. There is also a lake, picnic area with a shelter and tables.There used to be a museum that held exhibits about the battle and artifacts that were found on the site, but some of the artifacts were stolen and the building was destroyed by arson in 2009. I believe there are plans to rebuild it.Admission is free to the park.

Was there for a renactment and it was amazing to see the grounds leave a little to be desired and the hoouse that kept a lot of history was robbed some time ago so a lot of the history is missing

I have really mixed feelings about the place. It is a spectacular setting and view, and nicely kept grounds (grass mowed), but I don't like glamorizing an Indian war battle (massacre?) with white men's statues and markers. What struck me on this visit, however, was the embarrassingly shabby look of the place. I'm pretty sure there hasn't been any paint used there since the last time I visited (probably 15 years ago), and likely for 15 or 20 years previous to that. The paint has peeled or is peeling from all the buildings. Including what appears to be a caretaker's (except for the fact he/she likes to mow grass, I'd use that term loosely) house, both from the siding and the foundation, the shingles are peeling off the roof, and one window is stuffed full of aluminum-sided insulation. There was a nice shiny state pickup in the yard, but I didn't see anyone around, or I'd have asked about why the buildings aren't being maintained. I did see the new roof on the old CCC structure, and I understand more work is planned for that building.One thing we were curious about: We noticed the statue of the bugler and all the "grave markers" are covered with lichen, some of the markers almost completely covered. We wondered about that. It is a remarkable statue, but the lichen certainly detracts from the look of it. And it seems a little disrespectful to let those markers get covered with the lichen, even if there are not real graves there.Finally, a note about the Indian marker. Seems strange that the white men get a huge statue on the hill and the Indians get a little waist-high marker on the edge of the parking lot. Adding insult to injury, the Indian marker is all corroded black, and not really readable any more. If it weren't for Isern's photo on this site, I still wouldn't know what is on the plaque. I hope the state will spend a little money on maintenance on this site soon. It's a significant site and deserves better.

Whitestone Hill is a site owned and administered by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. In this place, in September 1863, US troops commanded by Brigadier General Alfred Sully attacked an encampment of Dakota near one of the many lakes dotting the Missouri Coteau. Most of what is commonly told about the engagement comes down from the official reports of Sully and his officers. The encampment they attacked included members of both Dakota and Lakota bands, but just which people from which bands remains uncertain, except to descendants of the Dakota and Lakota; certainly some of the reports given are erroneous. Likewise, estimates of casualties by all commentators are highly suspect. There is enough reliable knowledge to establish, however, that this is a highly significant site of Indian-White conflict on the northern plains, one deserving of better interpretation and awareness than is currently given. The problem is, a site such as this is fraught with controversy. White visitors find it a fascinating place because of the tragedy that unfolded here; on the other hand, for the same reason, descendants of the Dakota and Lakota who died here object to anything that might appear to exploit the tragedy. Visitors to the site, therefore, should regard it as a site of remembrance to be entered with respect. Atop a hill overlooking the lake is a granite monument to the soldiers who died at Whitestone Hill. Interestingly, local white residents added a (smaller) monument near the lake memorializing the natives who died "in defense of their homes and hunting grounds." If you are interested in the dynamics of historical remembrance, this is a fascinating place to observe how they unfold on the ground. Do some reading before you come, and spend some time in reflection on site. You'll find an album of photographs of Whitestone Hill here - http://travel.webshots.com/album/572423620TplfrU