Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-08-29
Indian OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ~


About noon on Tuesday last, we were informed
that war-party was coming in in triumph-that
they had taken great many scalps, and were
bringing home captive girl. This party was made
up chiefly Of observation-disclosures, taking in, as they
came up, a few accessions from the villages at
Yellow Medicine, and three or four young men
from this place. 1t was occasioned by the recent
attacks of the Chippewas on the Dakotas at crook
ed lake, and near Fort Ridgely. Ten days ago
we learned from deserter that they were encamp-
ed, on their way out, at Blackjack lake, fifteen
miles from this place. week was spent in hunt
ing their enemies. On last Sabbath morning they
came upon camp of the Chippewas at the place
called by the Dakotas A1akowakam or Sacred
country. They were on the margin of a lake. 1t
was still quite early. All were still slumbering
unconscious of danger, but two or three women,
who gave the alarm. They fed to their canoes,
in two of which it is said some eight per-
sons escaped. Another canoe was filled and
swamped. An indiscriminate slaughter took
place. Men, women and children were despatch
ed, chiefly with the tomahawk and scalping knife.
The nights rain had moistened the powder
in the gun-pans Of the Chippewas, SO that only
| one gun was fired by them, and that did not take
effect. Not ole of the invaders was killed or
| wouIded. .e. 4e e'..ftsI -
| 1t was late in the afternoon before the party
came in sight. The news of their coming had
been heralded, and they were accordingly met by
many men, women and children, on horseback
joicing. With considerable regularity their pla-
toons marched in, to the step of the warsong ant
dance, with t,oeaty flee Redeemed scalps waving il
the breeze. To me it was very sad sight. 1t wa:
grim, savage war coming in with his bloody tropics
The Prince Of Peace said, &C Love your enemies
The Demon Of War said, &c Hate them.'' 600
! manifest in the Aesh' said, "Do good to then
that desptfuly use YOU" ''Render not evil TO
evil, but contrariwise, blessing" Satan nantes
in the flesh said, ''Kll and scalp your enemies, i
is great glory to wear eagle feathers, and t.
dance around the scalps Of the slain.''
Having lived with the Dakotas for seventee.
years, still have no disposition to shield them
nor to lay the blame of their continued skrmishe
upon the Chippcwas alone. So far as can dis
cover, they about alike, in their thirst for blood
in their desire for revenge, and in their love o
| glory. ~ III tlic DuAOtdS, CouoluCI ehc is.tI1
by far the most powerful sentiment The scalp
dance is the great war-school. This should, in m
opinion, be prohibited by the authority Of tn
United States. Day after day, and night aftc
night, thus to glory over the slain, is a wron
done to humanity, second only to the slaaghtc
itself, which should not be permitted.
And now what will be done? BY the profes
sions, promises, and threatnings made a year ago
VIC were led to hope that something elIcctau
would be done to stop these wars. But alas! a
yet we are disappointed. On the contrary, tn
war-spirit has been increasing. More depreda
tons have been committed, on both sides, thi
summer, than we have known for years previous
Will not the present Executive come forward an
act boldly and decidedly in this matter? Th
withholding of annuities might be again resorte
to-. But that alone, will not be sufficient to re
strain the war-spirits. A few capital punishment
of the leaders, on both sides, would, in our opin
ion, do more than anything else, to work into tn
Dakotas and Chippewas the practice, if not tn
principles Of peace. The circumstances of til
case demand this of the United States Govern
ment, as the last resort. Yours truly,
! S. r. RIGGS.
| Lac oui Parle Auy g 1874.