New-York daily tribune., 1857-04-27
THE INDIAN WARS.
INDIAN MASSACRE IN MINNESOTA

From The 81 Paul Democrat ApTI H.
We give below letter from reliable correspondent
Of this paper, residing at Mankato. The letter was
written Sunday last, the day on which the nessen-
ger left Mankato for Fort Smelling. 1t Will be seen,
from peIusa Of the letter that the reports circulated
in this city were greatly exaegerated-eat serious
disturbance have occurred is evident.
A body Of Indians, it appears, reacherous!y at
tackled the settlers at the tcwn of Springfield, the
Wa,onwa ri,er, in Blue Earth County, on the I'd of
ApIil killing seven men, woundng three, and carry
ing off -four women. The Indians had previously at,
tackled the settlers at Spirit Lake and killed several
men. The scene Of the Spirit Lake massacre, we be-
lieve, is in lowe, near the State line.
The names OF the killed at Springfield, as far as
could be uscortaiued, were Messrs William and Geo.
M Wood, Church and Stewart. hr. 1ham WOOD
was formerly resident Of Mankato. The names OF
but two Of the women carried off have been asoer-
tanned Srs. Marvel and Miss Gardner.
The remaining settlers at Springfield fortified them
selves in house, and thus escaped being murdered.
Such the suddcnness Of the cOwardy attack that
but two Indians were killed; and one Of those
shot by Mn. Church (a!l honor to thc'brave woman
who loaded the guns for the men.
A Mr. Slocum, residing twenty miles from MankatO,
being spprehensive Of an attack from the Indians,
sent to MaIkato for assistance. Thirty-eight voun
teeIs under command Of DR.. Lewis, left that place
and reached Slocums on Saturday night. An attempt
was made to draw the party into m ambuscade, but
it failed The volunteers then fortified and occupied
Socums house, where they were surrounded by 40
Indians. 1his wac on Saturday night last.
a party Of so volunteers from Il. Peters and Ira
Sunday last and expected TO reach Slocums the same
evening. Another party was to have followed on
Monday.
The next news will probably bring us the result of
the encounter between Capt. DOdds party and the
Indians. We have no doubt Of the result.
M,NKATo, April II, 1857.
. In our last endeavored to inform the public
through your columns, OF the state of affairs the
Des Moinos and particularly TT Spirit Lake. The
messengers which had been dispatched to Fort Rdg-
ley together with the soldiers, left here the morn
ing Of the I'D ut, and proceeded TO Springfield
the Des Moines fifteen miles from the scene of dcpre-
dntons. They reached Springfield Saturday, ith
of April the soldiers still in doubt TO the correct
ness Of the report but upon entering the town. wha.
was their surprise to tnd that the Indians hai been
there; that on Tuesday, April > band Of Sioux had
attacked the town, killed seven, wounded three and
carried four women into captivity. The captain i'm
mediaely dispatched company TO the fort for rein
iorcemoit and proyiSions: Among the killed was
William Wood, George VI. Wood M Church and
Josiah Stewart.
The attack was without provocaton and unrus-
pectcd by the settcIs. VIM. Wood an old resi-
dent Of MarkGto and trader AZ Springfield.
II appears that in the commencement he went out -
the bank Of the river 10 talk 20 the Indians and as he
turned about 70 60 hone be shot dead and imne-
daiey set i.e, lis body, when found, being ial-
ly burned. Several of the citizens were temporarily
absent but have since returned. Those that fortified
themselves escaped being murdered. Two indians
were killed was she; by Mrs. Church, who loaded
guns Tor the in Of the houses. The names ot
exception of two. Ms. Marvel and Miss Gardner.
Mr. ChofiiBs, the messenger. who was fNt sent to
the iot has since returned from Springfield and says
he buried FIVE men il grave the day before he lett
He reached IsGac Slocums, on the Natonwa River
twenty miles from Markato. op Thursday last, and
reached this place on Friday evening. Ar. SiocUm
sent down Mankato for assistance he anticipated
danger by Mr, Chefiins, who brought the sad ntoll
gence Of the massacre.
large meeting was immediately held. aad thirty
eight volunteers, we! equipped, sen, 20 their
sstanoe. They reached Socums on SATURDAY, n,ht
and found Indians there. Mr. W. f. Lewis wds
chosen Captain. and with few went over to tn
teitS, whore they found line Indians, who immediately
ran al the Appearance q the whites throwing their
heehe's INTO the air and firing az the whites. Tn
WLnes Immediately charged upon them AID killed
oUI: Nuhe ii the whites were injured with the ex-
c.P'i"h oi ole man, who received a slcht wound In
.ho hahu. lLis, 1t appears was the signal aaG IN.
nedn'tiY upon the return II thc VIII tes tn he hous,
II was surrounded by about 80 Indian va; -.
messenger who hGs just arrived, briggs the aboys
statement, which is correct. ~ "''''
Word was sent "a Traverse des Sioux and ~ p,.e-s
for assistance, ard this morning fity Of the r 81
81. Peter arrived under Capt. Dodds command and
will probably reach the scene OF battle to-niht A.
they left Manka:o a: clock this az moon Another
renfoictnen. VIII b. mp fUl. Traverse IL ths m1iuir,
10 join the party. The se,tlcrs Lou tAa. ueglt-..