Minnesota weekly times., 1857-05-09

houses and killed the cattle-over one hundred
head of fine cattle were found shot down and un.
touched in any way except knocking off the horns
II suppose to make powder horns. Their whole
| course goes to show that they intend to break ar
and stop the settlement of that north and north.
west country.
Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the
men have had under my command on this Occa-
sion. Officers and men, without exception, have
done their duty they endure the greatest priva.
tions and fatigue without murmur-for seven.
teen days they pressed forward on their march
waded rivers and creeks breast deep, and tuggine
wagons through snow-banks sleeping on the
praires frequently in their wet clothes, expecting
every mile after reaching ahirty miles, to meet the
Indians, as their threat was at Sioux river, that
they would sweep the Dcs Mones river settle.
ments. Our men suffered very much, owing to
the severe change and snow-storm. We have
fourteen men badly frozen and two lost, Captain
johnson OF Webster city and Mr. Burkholder OF
this place, both frozen to death in a snow storm
they were separated in returning from the Lake
From the state of the men who succeeded in get
ting back to the camp, both of these men must be
dead; every search has been made for them, but
no discovery asyet. So severe was the weather
that those who were picked up and got in, were
50 much frozen and exhausted that they were
crawling on their hands and knees when found
and three or four of them had lost their minds,
becoming perfectly deranged, aud knew no one
AS near as could ascertain, the Indian force
was from l5O to 200 warriors, judging from their
encampments, &c. the number of Indians must
be 10 or twenty killed and wounded. From the
number seen to fall killed. and judging from the
bloody clothes and cOts of blood in their encamp.
ments, the struggle at the Lakes must have been
very severe, particularly the one at the house OF
Esq. Mattocks. Eleven dead bodies were found
at this house, together with several broken guns
they appear to have fought hand to hand.
have to inform your Excellency that we have
driven out OF the north part of the State every In
dian, and can say that at present there are no
Sioux IN the State, unless it be in that part near
the Big Sioux. The whole body have fed in the
direction OF the Missouri, crossing the Big Sioux.
shall not be surprised to hear of an attack on
Sioux City. l am satisfied that the greater num-
Der of these Indians were from the Missouri, al
they were strangers to the settlers where they ap-
peared, and portion of them were half breeds
Never IN the history of our country have so out
rageous acts been committed on any people, W.
have no account of Indians committing such out.
RACES on people as they have done--no doubt
committed by the half breeds. 1t is to be feared
that they will repeat their depredations if some
measures are not taken TO prevent them. They
are we'll armed and we'll supplied with ammuni.
ton. They took II kegs Of powder with buck.
shot and lead from Woods, at Springfield, burnt
his store, and killed him.
We have host of destitute and wounded per.
sons thrown upon US to provide for, both from the
Little Sioux River and the Upper Des Moines riy.
er as well as our own frozen and disabled men.
forward this hasty and somewhat confused re.
port; will soon give another more in detail.
instructed Capt. Richards, Mr.. Morrison anG
Others to forward to you the afidavits, &c., te
apprize you of our marching to relieve the from
tiers, &c. Very respectfully yours, &c.
w. WIIILAMs