Department of Dakota was a branch of the United States Army from 1866-1911. It was initially headquartered at Fort Snelling before moving to St. Paul in March 1867.
The department oversaw military operations across Minnesota, Dakota Territory, and Montana Territory. This included managing such forts as Fort Abraham Lincoln and Camp Hancock, the latter of which was named for Major General Winfield S. Hancock – commander of the Department of Dakota from 1869-1873.
