Founded to defend New Ulm after the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, the New Ulm Battery has stood watch for over 160 years, never disbanded, never forgotten. We are the living link between Minnesota's past and the communities we still serve today.
The New Ulm Battery was established in 1863 in the aftermath of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, when the town of New Ulm needed defenders it could call its own. Formed under Minnesota militia law, the Battery was equipped by the U.S. government with cannons that are still in our possession today — a 6-pound field gun issued by Colonel Henry Sibley and a 3-inch ordinance rifle, both dating to 1863.
More than 160 years later, we are still here. Never decommissioned. Never disbanded. The New Ulm Battery holds the distinction of being the only town-based Civil War-era militia in the United States still in active existence — a living piece of American history that no museum can fully replicate.
Today, the Battery serves in a ceremonial role, marching in parades, firing cannon salutes on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, and keeping the memory of New Ulm's founding generation alive for the communities of southern Minnesota. Our members carry forward a tradition that spans generations. We are not just a historical organization. We are proof that history, when cared for, never dies.
The Battery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
From cannon salutes and parades to funerals, educational events, and private hire - if you need living history, we show up. Yes, we bring the cannons.
We proudly appear at Memorial Day and Bavarian Blast parades in New Ulm, honoring tradition one cannon salute at a time.
We bring living history to life for students and communities across the region.
Our mounted tradition needs you. We're seeking horse owners to help us preserve this rare piece of living history.
Want a cannon at your next event? Perfect for race starts, festivals, grand openings, and community celebrations.
The New Ulm Battery, Inc. exists to preserve and honor the military heritage of New Ulm, Minnesota through active service, living history, and community engagement. As America's only surviving town-based Civil War-era militia — established in 1863 and never decommissioned — we uphold the traditions, discipline, and legacy of those who first defended this community. Through public ceremonies, education, and events, we keep that history alive for all generations.
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