USA > Minnesota > Morrison County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume I > Part 11
USA > Minnesota > Todd County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume I > Part 11
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Four companies of troops, about three hundred in all, armed with Bel- gian rifles and nineteen thousand cartridges, were furnished to him. and they at once started on a small steamer for Shakopee, arriving there on the 20th. From thence they marched to St. Peter. On the 21st the six remain- ing companies of the Sixth Regiment were filled by consolidation and trans- fers, and sent forward as rapidly as possible. On the 21st, Governor Ram- sey issued a proclamation, reciting the news of the outbreak, and calling on such citizens as had horses and arms to start at once and join the expedition moving up the river. Considerable numbers did so. Companies of horse- men were formed in St. Paul and several other places, and rode forward night and day. Small companies of infantry also organized in various towns in the central and eastern part of the state, and made forced marches to the relief of the frontier. By the end of the "first week of blood" (a very short
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period considering how unprepared the state was for such a war) several parties of armed men were pressing forward on different routes to meet and drive back the savages. These companies were mostly distributed at stock- ades and garrisoned towns along the frontier, where they remained for. several weeks, until the worst danger was over. On September 9th, Gov- ernor Ramsey's message reports, there were twenty-two militia companies, with two thousand eight hundred men under arms, and volunteer troops enough to make five thousand five hundred men in all.
On Friday, the 22nd, says the report, Colonel Sibley arrived at St. Peter, and remained them some three days, getting his troops in hand and properly armed. The latter was a work of difficulty. Most of the Sixth Regiment were armed with Belgian rifles, many of them almost worthless and none of them very reliable. But a small part of the cartridges furnished were of the right calibre, and much time was lost in "swedging" bullets. Governor Ramsey had, on the 20th, telegraphed to the governor of Wisconsin to "bor- row" one hundred thousand cartridges. They were promptly sent, and reached Colonel Sibley at Ft. Ridgley. Provisions had to be collected and transportation secured. Meantime, the people of the state were nervous with anxiety, and blamed the commander and state authorities for not throw- ing the half-armed men and unorganized troops at once on the several hun- dred well-armed and desperate savages, at New Ulm or Ft. Ridgley. Had this been done, a Custer massacre would have resulted, and another rout and panic ensued, many-fold worse than that of the previous week.
On August 25, Col. B. F. Smith was ordered to organize a force of one thousand men, out of detachments of the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Regiments, at Ft. Snelling, and dispatch said force at once, to join Colonel Sibley. This force was placed under the command of Lieut .- Col. William R. Marshall, of the Seventh Regiment, and moved forward as soon as it could be properly equipped, reaching the expedition on September I.
The difficulty in securing transportation for these expeditions was a serious drawback to celerity of movements. Finally, a general order was issued by the adjutant-general, authorizing the commanding officers of detachments in actual service to seize and impress citizens' teams whenever needed. This was done, and enough transportation secured in that way, resulting in many cases of individual hardship, but this is one of the inexor- able "necessities of war." Good rifles were few. Many of the troops were very poorly armed and of even these inferior guns enough could not be procured. The general government was telegraphed to, but could supply
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none in season to do any good. The authorities then seized all the gun- shops in the states and confiscated their serviceable rifles, muskets and ammu- nition. All of the powder and lead in the hands of the dealers everywhere were seized, yielding three thousand one hundred and seventy-five pounds of powder and one thousand two hundred pounds of lead. Even this was insufficient. A lead pipe some three thousand feet long, which had been laid in one of the streets of St. Paul, but was just then unused, was dug up and melted into bullets. A force of young women were working day and night making cartridges. Finally, however, all the troops were supplied and equipped and no further trouble was felt. It must be remembered that there were then no railroads in the state (except between St. Paul and Minne- apolis) and no telegraph, but one from St. Paul to La Crosse, Wisconsin. All military messages and dispatches to the frontier, had to be sent by special carriers on horseback.
DANGER OF A CHIPPEWA WAR.
Meantime, a new danger threatened the people of the state. In addi- tion to the powerful Sioux nation, there were in Minnesota the Winnebagoes. comprising four hundred warriors, and in the northern half of the state the Chippewas, who could muster two thousand five hundred or three thousand warriors. There were good grounds for believing that these tribes had been in consultation with the Sioux, and that if the latter were successful. they also would rise. It has been proved that several Winnebagoes partici- pated in the earlier murders near the Upper and Lower agencies, while on the same day of the outbreak at Redwood, the Chippewas commenced plundering their agency at Crow Wing on the upper Mississippi, and assembling armed warriors. They acted very turbulent and defiant. and an outbreak between them and the whites was imminent. Indeed, on one occa- sion, shots were exchanged. The possibility of an outbreak by them weighed so on the mind of Major L. C. Walker, their agent, that he com- mitted suicide near Monticello, on the 23rd of August. Companies of cavalry were authorized by the authority of the state to protect the country north of St. Paul, and performed patrol duty for some days. Had the Chippewas risen also, nearly the whole state would have been laid waste. Even the cities of St. Paul, Minneapolis, etc., would have been captured, as there were not arms enough in those places to defend them. A company of Home Guards was organized in St. Paul as a precautionary measure. For
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some days the situation was very critical and full of danger. Finally, Hon. William P. Dole, the commissioner of Indian affairs, Hon. H. M. Rice, Major E. A. C. Hatch, Clark W. Thompson, and the other men who had influence with the Ojibways, calmed them down and averted what might have proved an awful disaster.
While the Indian outbreak did not invade Morrison county to any great extent, its surrounding counties were badly harassed and great excitement existed in Morrison itself, men being rushed from its borders in defense of the people in adjoining counties and to preclude any chance of trouble here.
Wright county does not seem to have suffered by Indian invasions. Fortifications were erected by the people at various points, but no deprada- tions occurred in that locality.
Western and southern Stearns county suffered severely from the depre- dations of the red-skins. About August 23, 1862, they committed murders and other unmentionable crimes near Paynesville. The people of that town erected a strong stockade, and the citizens and refugees from other points further west sheltered themselves therein. A portion of the little town was burned, but no attack was made on the post. At Maine Prairie, St. Josephs, Sauk Center, Clearwater, Little Falls, and other places similar stockades were constructed and held by a few determined men. At St. Cloud, which was filled with refugees, strong fortifications were built and preparations made to defend the place to the utmost, but, fortunately no foe appeared. A number of persons were murdered by the savages in the southern part of Stearns county and many houses burned to ashes.
The southwestern portion of Minnesota was also overrun and numerous murders committed. This district was soon afterward placed in command of Colonel Flandrau and about five hundred militia gathered in garrisons at different points, who soon rid the country of the Indian tribes.
The Third Regiment, which had been paroled, after its surrender at Murfreesboro, was now at Benton Barracks, Missouri. Governor Ramsey telegraphed to have them sent to Minnesota at once, and the request was complied with. The regiment received its exchange on August 24th, and they arrived in St. Paul September 4th. All their officers were still prison- ers in the hands of the rebels at the South, and the companies were com- manded by non-commissioned officers. Major Welch, who was not with the regiment at its surrender (having been taken prisoner at Bull Run), was in command of the regiment. Three hundred men were at once sent to the frontier, where they did good service, being the only veteran troops engaged during the war.
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On August 23, 1862, Governor Ramsey called for an extra session of the Legislature, to meet on September 9. It was in session until September 29 and gave its attention mainly to Indian war matters. A board of auditors was created to adjust claims growing out of the massacre, and seventy-five thousand dollars were appropriated to settle such claims. Congress was memorialized to reimburse the state for its outlay. A board of commission- ers was created to collect the names of the slain and the facts connected with their death. [This provision was never carried out.] The sum of twenty- five thousand dollars was voted for the relief of indigent refugees. Con- gress was also asked by this Legislature to remove the Winnebagoes from Minnesota, which was done.
SIEGE OF FORT ABERCROMBIE.
In order to show just how this Indian war terminated, the following paragraphs, though not concerning any special Morrison county history, are here appended :
On August 23, the Indians commenced hostilities in the valley of the Red River of the North. Ft. Abercrombie was then garrisoned by com- pany D, Fifth Regiment, but about one-half of the company was enlisted from Georgetown, protecting the transportation company's goods at that place. Early on the 23rd a band of five hundred Sissetons and Yanktons crossed the Otter Tail river, with the intention of capturing a train of goods and drove of cattle en route for Red lake, where a treaty was to be made with the Chippewas. The train was at once ordered to take refuge in Ft. Abercrombie and did so. Most of the citizens in the surrounding region also repaired to that post for safety, but many were killed or taken prisoners. The town of Dayton was totally destroyed.
Reinforcements were ordered to Ft. Abercrombie as soon as its danger was learned, but the troops sent out were detained en route to protect and aid threatened places in Stearns and Mecker counties, and did not reach the fort until too late. Meantime, it was in great danger, being quite surrounded by the enemy. A number of hot skirmishes had taken place near by, between detachments of the troops and the Indians. On August 30th the latter appeared in large numbers before the fort. A large herd of the treaty cattle (one hundred and seventy-two head) and about one hundred horses and mules were grazing on the prairie near by. The Indians drove these off, and the small garrison could make no resistance. On September 3. at daybreak,
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the Indians attacked the post. A fight was kept up for two or three hours, but they were repulsed, with some loss on both sides. Active measures were then taken to strengthen the post by a stockade of timber. On September 6th a second attack was made by the Indians and a sharp battle raged until near noon. A number of the Indians were killed and others wounded, but only one of the defenders was killed and one mortally wounded. The Indians hung around the fort, occasionally attacking a messenger or a water- ing party, until September 23. when reinforcements arrived via St. Cloud, to the great joy of the besieged men at the garrison, who had been under fire and suspense for three weeks. No further demonstrations, of any force, were made by the Indians. But for the brave resistance made by a mere handful of soldiers, aided by a few good citizens, the post must have fallen into the hands of the savage foe.
MOUNTED RANGERS.
The want of a mounted force to pursue the Indians was severely felt by Colonel Sibley. His small number of irregular mounted militiamen were leaving for their homes. He several times urged Governor Ramsey to pro- vide cavalry, and that official, in turn, asked of the war department the proper authority. This was granted on September I, and a regiment of mounted rangers at once called for, for three months' service, which was subsequently changed to one year. The regiment was soon recruited, and Col. S. McPhaill appointed colonel.
BATTLE OF BIRCH COOLIE.
While waiting at Ft. Ridgley for proper supplies and equipments, and before undertaking any offensive campaign against the Indians, Colonel Sibley sent out, on August 31, a detachment to bury the dead bodies, rescue any fugitives that might be found, and make a reconnoissance. This detach- ment consisted of part of company A, Sixth Regiment, Capt. H. G. Grant, about seventy mounted men under Capt. Joseph Anderson, and a fatigue party-about one hundred and fifty men in all, accompanied by seventeen teams. The whole force was in command of Major Joseph R. Brown, who was perfectly familiar with the country and with Indian warfare. On the first day's march, sixteen dead bodies were found and buried. September I (the next day), the force separated into two detachments. During this day, fifty-five mutilated bodies were buried. In the evening the whole force
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went into camp at Birch Coolie, in a spot selected by Major Brown. Not an Indian had been seen that day.
Just before daybreak on the 2nd, the camp was aroused by a volley of firearms and the yells of Indians, who had crawled unperceived within a few yards of the encampment. For a few minutes terrific volleys were poured into the tents, cutting them into shreds and killing or wounding a number of men and horses. As soon as they could seize their arms, those soldiers who were unhurt crawled out and, sheltering themselves as well as they could behind wagons, dead horses, etc., returned fire. Shortly after day- light the men began excavating, with such implements as were at hand, a line of rifle pits, and in a short time had about two hundred feet dug.
The firing in the still of the morning was heard by the sentinels at Ft. Ridgley, fifteen miles away, and a detachment of troops, under Colonel McPhaill, at once pushed off to their relief. When within three miles of Birch Coolie, they were met by such a large force of Indians they could not advance, and sent a courier back for reinforcemetns. Meantime, the troops of Major Brown's command lay all day in their rifle pits, keeping the savages at bay. The wounded were cared for as well as possible, but a num- ber died before the end of the day.
As soon as McPhaill's courier reached Ft. Ridgley, a large force, with some artillery, was sent to the relief of his and Major Brown's troops. They came up about daylight and the whole column then pushed on to Birch Coolie, dislodging and driving the Indians from their position, after the latter had kept the white men under fire for thirty-six hours, without food or drink.
The camp was an awful scene, when relieved. Twenty-three men had been killed outright or mortally wounded, forty-five badly wounded, and seventy horses killed. The dead were buried on the spot and the wounded were carried back to Ft. Ridgley in wagons. Thus terminated the most bloody battle of the war, and one which spread gloom over the entire state. It is not creditable to Minnesota that this battle ground should have been so long neglected and allowed to pass into private hands, after which it was cut up by the plow share. A suitable monument should have there been crected to the sacred memory of those fallen heroes.
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RELIEF FOR THE REFUGEES.
One historian wrote of this subject in the following words: "The con- dition of the poor refugees from the ravaged districts was deplorable in the extreme. In St. Peter alone, there were in September as many as six thou- sand or seven thousand people for some days, and at one time fully eight thousand. In St. Paul there were one thousand and at Minneapolis an equal number, while all the smaller towns had as many in proportion. They were all destitute of money, clothing, employment, etc., and many were sick, while not a few were actually insane from grief and trouble. The active exertions of citizens of St. Peter alone prevented great suffering there, but their means were soon exhausted. Then they appealed through the papers for aid. Governor Ramsey appointed commissioners to receive and disburse supplies. About twenty thousand dollars in money was contributed, half of which came from Eastern cities, while large quantities of clothing came through local relief committee work, in St. Paul and other places. The Legislature, when it met, voted twenty-five thousand dollars more. These amounts relieved the worst cases of need. In October most of those whose homes had not been destroyed returned to them, and the number of destitute rapidly decreased. Several hundred, however, had to be supported all winter. Fortunately, laborers had now become scarce, and wages enhanced, so that all able to work could get positions. The building of railroads went along unchecked in the midst of this terrible calamity. The Winoa & St. Peter railroad completed about ten miles of its road that autumn."
TRYING TO RELEASE PRISONERS.
Before leaving the bloody battlefield of Birch Coolie, Colonel Sibley left the following note attached to a stake :
"If Little Crow has any proposition to make to me, let him send a half- breed to me, and he shall be protected in and out of camp.
"H. H. SIBLEY, "Col. Com'g Mil. Exped'n."
Colonel Sibley had reason to believe that their repeated defeats had discouraged the foe, and that negotiations could be made with the disaffected
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Indians and those tired of fighting, for the release of their prisoners. The note thus thoughtfully left soon bore good fruit.
It was now evident that all the marauding bands from the interior had been called in and that the Indians would, with all their combined forces, oppose the column on its march. Colonel Sibley ordered the Third Regi- ment, then at Glencoe, to join his command, and it reached Ft. Ridgley on September 13. Meantime, Colonel Sibley's note had been shown Little Crow on his return from the raid on the Big Woods settlers, and A. J. Campbell, a half breed, who acted as secretary, read it to him. Crow at once dictated a reply, blaming Galbraith and the traders for wronging them, and enumerated some grievances which had caused the war. He requested an answer. This note reached Colonel Sibley at Ft. Ridgley on September 7. Colonel Sibley at once replied, demanding that Little Crow should release the prisoners and he would then treat with him. On September 12 a reply was received from Crow, saying that the Medwakanantons had one hundred and fifty prisoners, and other bands some more. He said, "I want to know from you, as a friend, what way I can make peace for my people." Colonel Sibley at once replied, urging Crow to give up the prisoners, and complain- ing that he had allowed his young men to kill nine more whites since he sent the first letter. The same courier who brought Little Crow's letter, also brought one privately from the chief Wabasha, and Taopi, a Christian Indian. They asserted they were forced into the war and were now anxious to make peace, and if a chance offered they would come in and give them- selves up, with all their prisoners. Colonel Sibley replied to this message, urging them to do so and promising them protection, adding that he was now strong enough to crush all the Indians who held out. When this letter was received by Wabasha and his friends who wished to separate from the other Indians, a great dispute arose among all the bands. Indeed, disaffection and jealousy had been brewing ever since the outbreak. The prisoners were in great peril and might have been murdered. But at last all worked well and the friendly and repentant Indians carried the day.
The war department had meantime created Minnesota and Dakota into a military department, and appointed Gen. John Pope to the command. He reached St. Paul September 12, and established his headquarters there. New regiments, made up of the Sixth. Seventh. Eighth, Ninth and Tenth, had been hurried off to the western frontier, half organized, and were by this time being completely organized and mustered in.
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BATTLE OF WOOD LAKE.
Colonel Sibley, after the arrival of the Third Regiment and the ยท sup- plies and ammunition he had needed, broke camp, September 18, and started in pursuit of the Indians at or near Yellow Medicine. On the morning of September 23, while encamped near Wood lake, the Indians suddenly attacked the force. The Renville Rangers were thrown out and met the enemy bravely. Major Welch soon had the Third regiment in line, and they poured steady volleys into the advancing line of Indians, as did also the Sixth Regiment, under Major McLaren. The fight then became general. Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall charged the enemy with three companies of the Seventh and A of the Sixth, and put them to rout. The battle had lasted an hour and a half. Our loss was four killed and fifty wounded-among the latter, Major Welch. The Indians lost quite a number-thirty it is said-fifteen being found dead on the field. After burying the dead, Colonel Sibley marched toward Lac qui Parle, near which place Wabasha had noti- fied him he would meet him and deliver up the prisoners.
RELEASE OF THE CAPTIVES.
On September 26, the column arrived at the camp where the friendly Indians had the prisoners, and made their camp near by. It was opposite the mouth of the Chippewa river, and was named by our men "Camp Release." Without delay, Colonel Sibley visited the Indians and demanded the captives. They were at once produced, nearly two hundred and fifty in number. Many wept with joy at their release; others had grown almost indifferent. These poor people-mostly women and children-were sent as soon as possible to their friends, if the latter were still living. The Indians who had given themselves up were at once placed under guard until they could be examined as to their guilt. During the next few days a number came in and gave themselves up, and some smaller parties were captured soon after, by our troops under. Lieut .- Colonel Marshall, so that soon our force had over two thousand Indian warriors in their hands. Colonel Sib- ley at once organized a military commission, composed of Colonel Crooks, Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall and Captain Grant, with I. V. D. Heard as judge advocates, to examine the Indians and indicate the guilty ones. Another commission of five officers was appointed to try accused persons.
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These commissions continued their work until November 5, by which time they had found three hundred and twenty guilty of murder, ravishing and other crimes, and sentenced three hundred and three to death. These were at once removed to South Bend, there to await the orders of the Pres- ident-Abraham Lincoln-while the other Indians and their families were taken to Ft. Snelling and confined all winter in the stockade.
CLOSE OF THE INDIAN WAR.
Meantime Little Crow and the still hostile Indians had retreated into Dakota and before winter had reached Devil's lake, where they remained until the following spring. As the war in this state was now practically over, most of the settlers whose homes had not been destroyed returned to them. The Third Minnesota Regiment, the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin and the Twenty-seventh Iowa were sent south before winter, but the Sixth. Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Minnesota, with the Mounted Rangers, were retained for home service, and were stationed in detachments in a cordon of posts reaching from the south line of the state across the frontier to St. Cloud. The country between these garrisons was carefully scouted and patrolled, so that no hostile Indians could pass the line. On November 25, General Pope moved his headquarters to Milwaukee, and Brigadier-Gen- eral Sibley ( for such he had been made after the battle of Wood Lake) remained in command at St. Paul. That winter passed without any hostilities.
EXECUTION OF THIRTY-EIGHT INDIAN MURDERERS.
The three hundred and three Indian murderers were kept in confine- ment at South Bend a short time and then removed to Mankato, where they were confined in a stone warehouse, strongly guarded. Meantime, some so-called "philanthropists," principally Quakers, at Philadelphia and other Eastern cities, interfered in the matter, and got up a strong petition and pressure to bear upon President Lincoln to pardon the guilty wretches. This' was resisted by the prominent men and officials in Minnesota. the people of the state almost unanimously demanding their execution, and threatening. if it were not done, to apply lynch law to them. President Lincoln selected thirty-nine of the murderers, and on December 6 ordered General Sibley to execute them. This was carried into effect on December 26, at Mankato (one meantime dying of heart disease). Thus thirty-eight of the savages
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