The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-12-19
For the Pioneer.
ANS w f. RS


ANSW ERs
+ To Inquiries respecting the History, Pres
ent Condition and Future Prospect o
the Oj'buras Of Mississippi, a.d Lax,
Superior.
EIRsr-HIsToRY.
Continued
A party of one hundred and fifty once
laid an ambuscade at the extreme point
of Shaguhwaumik. Two Ojibvay lads,
crossing over early in the morning to
Kill ducks, were set upon, but the point
being well adapted to defence by numer-
Gus sand hills, they fought, till the village
opposite being alarmed, the warriors be-
gan to swarm forth; and crossing over,
landed a mile below the extreme point,
cutting the Sioux entirely off from es-
cape; all were killed buttwo, who jump
ed into the lake, and were never heard
Of or seen after. The bones of the
slain warriors are still visible in parti-
cles, throughout the entire point.
The Chippeways tell Of large war
the then Sioux village of Sandy Lake.
The party was so numerous, that the
string of warriors reached great dis
lance as they marched in single file,
against the devoted village; which was
taken after a bloody slaughter. This
event happened or took place. about 100
years ago. Tie leaders, name was
BiGuswah, grand father of the present
chief of Sandy Lake, now aged about
sixty years. The party started from
Fond du Lac.
Some years after Sandy had been TAX
en- by this chief, sixty Oh bway warriors
started down the Mississippi on a war
party. At the confluence Of the Grow
Wing and Mississippi rivers, they found
on their way back, traces of large
Sioux war party that had gone up, and
probably killed their dcfcnccless wives
and children. Too late to arrive to their
rescue by the signs left, they dug holes
on the bank OF the river, and laid an
ambuscade for their enemies. The Sioux
soon came floating down, singing songs
of triumph and beating the drum. Their
canoes were laden with prisoners, and
the scalps of the slain dangled on poles
erected in them The Sioux, numbered
three hundred; the party in ambush, but
sixty. But when they recognized wives
and children as prisoners, and beheld
the bleeding scalps of their relatives,
the blood boiled i'll their veins, and in
perfect desperation, they sounded the
war whoop and discharged flight of ar
rows on their triumphant and confident
enemies.
| Many canoes we're upset, and a few
prisoners swan ashore at the first sur
prise; but the Sioux rallying, soon eff
fected landing, and tying their re-
naming prisoners to trees, regular IN
dian fight commenced. When arrows
and ammunition had failed, they dug them
hiding holes close to one another, and
pelted each other with stones. The
bravest fought hand to hand with knives
and clubs. This fight lasted three days,
till at last, the Sioux retreated, leaving
many dead, and most Of their prisoners
The OIlbways, satisfied with their re-
vense, returned to their desoiated village.
The marks Of this battle and the hid
ing holes on the bank are still visible,
within few rods from where am writ
ing.
The Sioux and Ojibways have met
three different times at the confluence of
these rivers. The village of Sandy Lake,
since the Olibways have resided there,
has twice been nearly depopulated; once
as have just related, and another time,
this band was attacked at Cross Lake,
forty miles north of Crow Wing, while
in their spring encampment, and all
killed and taken prisoners but seven
men, four women and three children;
! THIS event occurred about fifty years
ago; and some men are living, who
were at that time taken prisoners by the
Sioux, and afterwards returned
Many battles occurred about Leech
Lake and Red Lake of the North. The
whole of that region between the Grow
Wing and British line, has been con-
quered from the Sioux Many engage
ments and massacres took place on the
the St. Croix and Chippeway rivers.
Two considerable fights occurred at Elk
river, emptying into the Mississippi at a
place called to this day by the Indians,
the battle ground
The marks Of these battles are still
visible; at the last, was killed a renown-
ed war chief of the Ojibways, who was,
in his time, the terror of the Sioux; and
died much regretted by his tribe. The
name of this chief was Ke-che-wGub-osh
ash; Big Martin. The Oiibways Of this
district, often speak of him as the one,
whose valor and proves ccnduced to
drive their enemies from the country.
Many exploits are told of him, and he
died covered with scars received in a
hundred fights.
About forty years ago, party of two
hundred warriors under 4 Flat Mouth
chief Of Lecch Lake, fell on a camp of
Sioux at Long Prairie, numbering forty
lodges; all were killed but six men of
the Sioux. The Qibways captured many
horses, but being unable to manage them,
killed them; and the bones of man and
horse are still bleaching on the plain.