 In September 1862, it participated in Col. Henry Hastings Sibley's campaign against the Sioux, culminating in the defeat of the Indians at the Battle of Wood Lake on September 23.At the end of the brief campaign, the regiment returned to Fort Snelling to reorganize.The 3rd Minnesota returned to garrison duty in Kentucky and Tennessee in January 1863 and remained there until joining in the Siege of Vicksburg until the surrender of the defenders on July 4, 1863.