The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-10-06
Correspondence of the st. Anthony Rerubt can.
Indian Battle--M More About it.


Last week wrote for your paper hasty
notice of reported battle between the
Shanktonwon Sioux and the Red River Half
Breeds. have just been conversing with
an intelligent Dakota of this neighborhood,
who has been to Lac Traverse and seen
number of Shanktonwons who were concern
cd in the afray. The account which he
gives, and which think may be relied on as
substantially correct, differs considerably
from that which first heard. He says, as
the Shanktonwons were following the buffa-
10, they came in sight of the people of Red
River. Not wishing to fight them; they
turned aside from the course they were NOV
ing, to avoid them. But after some days,
one man who was very DESTROYS of fighting,
succeeded in inducing others to join him.
In the night they surrounded the camp of
the HaleBreeds, which camp was formed,
they say, by enclosing large circular area
with their carts; Immediately inside of their
carts were their tents, and in the center
were their horses and oxen. One narrow
opening had been left where the carts were
not in contact with each other, to serve as a
door. Early in the morning the Sioux on
horseback fired On the camp, and their fire
was quickly returned, proving fatal to seve-
eral of the assailants. The cattle and horses
soon became frightened with the noise of the
battle, and while their owners were busy,
forced their way out of the door. Shortly
after woman in the camp called out to
them that she was Dakota, naming man
who lives at Lac qui Parle, as her father
She is supposed to be a young woman who
formerly lived in the mission family at that
place, and was married, year or two ago,
to Red River Half-Breed, then living at
Lac qui Parle. Out of regard to her, they
say they ceased firing upon the camp, and
went in pursuit of the animals. A few of
the horses they were unable to catch, but
succeeded in capturing two hundred and
three of them, and upwards of thirty head
of cattle, part of which had been brought
to Lac Traverse and were seen by my in
formant, who says that the Shanktonwons
who plant near that Lake, and are partners
in the treaty OF 1851, were not concerned in
it; and since the battle Burning Earth has
visited the Half Breeds and satisfied them of
the friendly disposition of himself and the
Sissitonwons.
About 10 of the Shanktonwons were kill
ed, and they do not know that they killed
moro than one of those whom they attacked
When they subsequently visited the place,
they found that the Red River people had
destroyed their carts, and such other prop
erty as they could not take away with them.
My informant also saw at Lac Traverse
several Tectonwans from beyond the Mis-
souri,, who say that their people have killed
number of emigrants, taking their teams
and other property. They do not say that
they spared the women and children, as at
first reported here; but say if the white peo-
pie continue to pass through their country
they expect to be extermnated, and SO they
are determined to attack them on the road;
that they are not afraid of them, because the
white men are slow like women and chill
dren; and though the horses of the white
men run fast for short distance, they are
not equal to theirs which can run all day,
while the horses Of the white men give out
after running from ten to fifteen miles.
Ihere Is reason to fear that this war with
the Indians beyond the Missouri will prove
serious and troublesome affair. T. S. W.
PAJUTAzEE, NJ. T.