Reacting to public pressure in the aftermath of the U. S. - Dakota War, Congress passed legislation in early 1863 authorizing the President to remove the defeated tribes from Minnesota, relocate them to new reservations suitable for agricultural purposes, and sell their former reservations to settlers. The Winnebago removal act passed Congress on February 21, 1863, and the authorization to remove the "Sisseton, Wahpaton, Medawakanton and Wahpakoota Bands of the Sioux or Dakota Indians" followed on March 3, 1863. The initial appropriations of $50,016.66 to relocate the Sioux and $50,000 to relocate the Winnebago were not enough and more money was appropriated in the next two years to cover transportation expenses and to sustain the displaced tribes.

The removal acts and excerpts from the appropriation bills are posted here.

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