Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1858-06-24
Indian Troubles i'm Minnesota.

A battle recently occurred near the town
of Shakopee, Minnesota, between the
Chippewa and Sioux Indians. The Min
n~esotian Of May 29lh, says
The warfare was conducted in a regu-
lur Indian style--a running fight among
the trees and logs, and grass, interspersed
with a few hand to hand conflicts with
~tomahawks and war-Clubs. When a Sioux
would fail he was Immediately carried to
the rear, and taken across on the ferry
boat. Several who were also severely
wounded were taken to the rear, but as
soon as they recovered a little, would rush
back into the thickest of the fight. The
Sioux are said to have acted with the
greatest bravery during the whole battle,
charging upon and following the enemy
with a perfect desperation Whenever a
Chippewa would fall, his head was imme-
diately cut off and carried to the rear.
Four ghastly heads were thus taken over
the river, and exhibited with great exul-
tation by the squaws who were busy all
the time carrying ammunition, (Which it
is said, was furnished by citizens to them
free Of CHARGE and encouraging their
warriors. Later in the day, some head
less bodies of the C~hippewas were
brought over, aud the squaws hacked them
to pieces, and finally kindled a fire under
one of them, and burnt it up! This last
sickcning specticle of barbarity is said, by
those who witnessed it, to have been hail
ed with fendish exultation by the Sioux.
About 10 o'clock the Chippewas drew
of, aud the whole force relreated over
the bluffs in the direction of Lake Mime
tonka, leaving four Of their warriors be-
hind them, one Of which, from the decor
atoms on the scalp, is supposed 10 be a
distinguished chief. AS they passed a
certain point on their trail, they were
carving six, and some accounts say eight,
wounded braves on ~litters, besides those
wounded who were able to walk, some of
whom seemed to be badly hurt. The
Sioux then returned to their encampment
with great exultation over their victory,
and counted their loss, when it was found
that two were killed, two to pronounced
by physicians present TO be fatally wound
ed, and the others wounded more or less,
presenting a bloody picture of barbarism
to the crowds of citiZens who had assem-
bled there. Four raw scalps were flaun'.
ed on a pole, and four ghastly heads
were paraded as trophies, besides the dis
figured trunks Of two others.
During the whole battle, the high bank
which overlooked the bottom across the
!, river, near Major Murphy's house, was
lined with speclators-indeed the whole
town" might be said to be there, watch
ing the fight, and seeming to enjoy the
5 unusual spectacle of two nations of bar
barians numbering, mungllng, matilating
each other, in full sight of a city of Chris
tians, its churches, court house and insti-
. tutions of learning -barbarism, and It's
brutal spectacles, in contrast with enllght'
n eminent and its blessings.
Fearing, another attack, the Sioux
= moved their tepees in a huddle, and dug
= trenches, in which they watched all nigh
= well armed. No attack was made, how
ever, though it was thought the Chippe'
was had not gone of altogether, but were
}, lurking somewhere in the vicinity, fol
: another skirmish. Internationally wa:
e reported to be with them, but this is doubt
ed. 1t is said by them who viewed tht
battle from the bluffs, that only abou
/ thirty or forty Chippewa warriors were
IL engaged in it, the main body remainin!
X in the rear. If this is so they must hav,
a had some vile design in drawing of
which will appear hereafter.
d Numerous trophies of the fight wer'
e secured, such as battle axes, etc. A ma
was also found, drawn on birch bark
Is which depicted the Chippewa war trail
with some hieroglyphics, which the wis
y men pretended to interpret. Several Chip
pewa heads were also purchased as me
mentos, and shown to the curious wit
great gusto.