The Washington union., 1857-04-28
THE INDIAN MASSACRE IN IOWA.
Correspondence Of tho Chicago Timcsl
FoRT DoDGE, Qowa,j April 10, IL

FoRr DoDGE, Qowa,) April 10, 1857.
In communication addressed to you, and bearing date
the 23d ult informed you that an expedition was mt
ting out in this place agaa the Indians residing in the
vicinity Spirit Lake, upon tila line OF this State and
Minnesota about hundred and thirty miles to the
northwest of u.s. and that to march IN pursuit OF
them the next day Having just returned with tho other
volunteers who accompanied said expedition will relate
briefly possible the details thereof
Upon the Gath ut started from this place, divided
into three companies under the command of Major VIM.
Williams of the firm of Williams Ham. Co., bankers,
in this place.
After tedious march Of six days we arrived at place
called 'The Colony in Palo Alto county, abont seventy
miles to the northwest settled by Irish emigrants.
After our arrival at .srhe Colony" preparations were
made for battle twenty-five picked men were detailed
to act scouts who kept three miles in advance OF
the main body About clock received informa-
ton that they had found about twenty five men, women
and children upon the prairie, some OF whom had been
wounded by the Indians They without provisions,
scantiy clothed and exhausted by fatigue. When we
mp found them encamped in grove by the side
OF the Des Mones river where they had been taken by
the scouts We supplied their wants well as we were
able and snrgeon DIR. Bssell, attended to the
wounded
These people had come nom Springfield trading post
on the west bank of the Des MonGs siver IN Southern
Minnesota.
On Friday, the 27th ult., at about | clock, M,
they entered the and called first at the store of Geo
Wm. Wood, which they robbed of all the goods and
eight hundred dollars ia gold VIM Wood killed.
and George Wood, missing, supposed to have been
burned with the store
They next called at the house Of Josiah Stewart and
shot him through the head His wife begged for her life
to which they replied nepo squaw," Sill squaw) and
shot her also in the head Her little girls killed
with war clubs John Stewart little boy eight years
Old bid himself behind log and escaped. Maj Williams
has taken him home and will bring him up, He has now
good protector
They then proceeded TO the house Of Mr. Thomas sew
erai families had here collected together and there
some eight or nine rifles in the house Umpashota,
odd Indian chief well known in this neghborhood,
past the house shouting to the inmates several of whom
unfortunately ventured TO the door to what the
matter when about twenty Indians, posted behind hay
stack about five rods distant, fred upon them killing
son OF Mr. Thomas, aged ten years Mr.. Thomas
wounded in the arm, rendering amputaon necessary
David Carver shot through the arm the ball lodging
his side he wound is not considered dangerous and
Miss Drisea Swver received ball in her shoulder the
elii passing out upon the opposite side
The doOrs were instantly shut and barricaded Some
" the inmates engaged themselves in moulding balls
Others in loading the rifles while John Bradshaw and
man named Markham fred upon tho Indians without
iher chief and number OF others killed the exact
number is not known 1t reported by an Indian to
" man named shgley that nine were killed and five
wounded Towards night the Indians withdrew carry
ing their dead and wounded with them No white per-
sou was killed after the first fire.
We resumed our march the next morning and after
u'her journey Of two days arrived at Changers claim
miles east of Spirit Lake Our scouts here discovered