LET THEM EAT GRASS! by Marisa Masterson

You probably recognize the saying, "Let them eat cake." It's attributed to Marie Antoinette, something she may or may not have said. Regardless, the idea behind it launched a uprising.

A similarly cold reaction to people's suffering started another rebellion, and also in the 1800s. This time, starving people were told, "Let them eat grass."

Native Sioux--a people group also called the Dakota--had been moved off 24 million acres of land. Sent to live on reservations, the people were expected to farm. That was something they'd never done. Still, they could have learned except that a terrible drought made feeding themselves impossible.

1904 painting depicting Dakota
attack on Indian Agency, 1862.

Surely the government would help. After all, the native people had a treaty with the US government that promised food. When the Indians asked that they receive what was promised, the Indian agent in charge was quoted as saying, "Let them eat grass." As if they were animals!

In response, Dakota men attacked the agency. The agent, Andrew Myrick, was found dead after the attack, his mouth stuffed with grass. Unfortunately, this man's inhumanity led to many other deaths besides his own.

From Regina's Replacement:

Pounding hoofbeats brought Eli only a few feet from his nephew when he yanked back on his gelding’s reigns. The horse’s head went backward, and its body stiffened to make the sudden stop after their race from Excelsior. The smell of dirt and grass filled the air as shod hooves dug into the lawn Josh had mowed that day.
“Bad news, boy. The Dakotas are on the move.” Eli all but shouted the words as he vaulted from the saddle.
“Dakotas? They’re on Indian land up by the Minnesota River.”
Eli ran an agitated hand through his hair, dislodging his bowler. It fell to the ground at Josh’s feet. Both men stared at it, obviously unsure of how such an ordinary thing could interrupt this important conversation. Then Josh reached for it, handing the hat to his uncle.
Eli grabbed it and slapped at his leg with hit. “Been a heap of trouble over that way. All because the year’s been sort of odd.”
“What’d you mean, Uncle Eli?”
“Well, those Dakotas aren’t really farmers. They’ve always sort of traveled after animals and hunted to feed their people. But now, they have to stay put.”
“Yeah, that’s not new this year. What’s happened?”
“That really wet, cold spring we had and now this dry summer’s left them hungry. I heard that the Indian agent, Myrick’s, refused to give them any of the stored grain he’s got at the Lower Sioux Agency.”
Josh put a hand to his brow and rubbed backward over his hair. “Thought the government sent the food out for the Indians? Why’s the man not doin’ his job and gettin’ it to ‘em?”
Eli shrugged and began to wring his hands. “He just isn’t. Heard tell that he told them to ‘eat grass’. Someone found his body after the Dakotas attacked the agency. His mouth was stuffed with grass.”
“The Dakotas attacked?”
“That’s why I’m here. They’ve killed hundreds of settlers, too.” He pointed to the house. “You have to get Regina and her daughter. We almost have the stockade finished around the schoolhouse.”

Communities in the Dakota Territory and Minnesota gathered together. They hid in churches or schools. I decided to use this fact in my own novel. The hero refused to leave his farm. At least, he had until his wife and stepdaughter were in danger by the uprising. 

People escaping Indian Outbreak, 1862 (quoted from source, http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/display.php?irn=10680765) 

I set my novel in the real town of Excelsior, Minnesota on Lake Minnetonka. The people who settled there did leave their farms to gather in the school. They even built a stockade around it. When a shot sounded, everyone was sure the Dakota had arrived. Instead, one of the men had accidentally fired his gun while cleaning it. Later, someone saw an "Indian" in the woods. It was an old woman picking berries. I used these facts and embellished on them in my story to keep it historically appropriate and as accurate as I could make it. (https://lakeminnetonkamag.com/how-dakota-war-1862-impacted-lake-area)

And in case you are curious, the Dakota never arrived at Excelsior. Many of the women did end up frightened and in danger on a steamer stuck out on the lake. Poor ladies never reached the island that was to be their safe haven. More of the comedy of misadventures that surrounded Excelsior in 1862. Poor people! Truly, it made for fun writing!

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Visit a time when Minnesota was land still being claimed and settled...

Joshua Gibson had enough courage to save his uncle. He’s not brave enough to show his face in town after being badly burned in the rescue.

Regina Richardson decided marriage to a stranger was better than living through a war that had nothing to do with her. After Union troops brought a battle near to her farm, she grabs at the chance to marry a man in Minnesota. Only, she discovers the man has never lived in the town where she’s told to go.

A desperate aunt and uncle see this as a God sent opportunity for their hermit nephew. Will Regina find the love of her life or will she end up with one more burden to bear?

And what about the man killed at Joshua’s farm the night that he was burned? How will the couple protect themselves when Joshua and Regina have no idea that revenge stalks them?