Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-06-05

The St. Paul papers contain an account
of battle between the Chippewa and Sioux
Indians, on the 9th ult., on the opposite
side Of the Minnesota river from Shakopee,
in which several on both sides were killed.
The Chippewas we're two hundred strong,
under the command of the celebrated chief
Hole.in-the Day. The battle commenced
by the Chippewas firing upon and killing
Sioux, who was engaged in fishing. We
quote from the Pioneer:
The Sioux soon gathered and crossed the
river, and the attacking party Immediately
commenced retreating toward the bluff, for
the purpose undoubtedly of drawing the
Sioux still farther into the marsh at the
point, in order to place them almost COM
pletely in their power. In a short time af-
ter crossing, a few Of the Sioux returned on
the ferry boat, having with them the body
of Chippewa which had been quartered
ard decapitated.
There is most probably considerable exag-
geration in the accounts given in the Min.
nesota papers of this battle, though there is
no doubt of there having been a skirmish
contains full particulars of the affair, from
which we make a short extract:
The warfare was conducted in regular In
dian style-a running fight amongst the
trees and logs, and grass, interspersed with
few hand to hand conflicts with toma-
hawks and war clubs. When Sioux would
fell, he was Immediately carried to the rear,
and taken across on the ferry boat. Sever.
al who were also severely wounded were ta-
ken to the rear, but as soon as they recov>
cred little would rush back into the thick
est 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 perfect Gesperation-
Whenever Chippewa would fall, his he ad
was Immediately cut off and carried to the
rear. Four CHASTITY heads we're thus taken
over the river and exhibited with great ex-
ultation 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 headless bodies of
Chippewas were brought over, and the
squaws hacked them to pieces, and finally
kindled fire under one of them and burnt it
up! This last sickening spectacle of barbar-
ity is said, by those who witnessed it, to
have been hailed with fendish exultation BY
the Sioux.
About ten O'Clock. the Chippewas drew
off, leaving four of their warriors behind
them, and carrying six or eight wounded
braves on litter. The Sioux were the &C.
knowledged victors, and they returned to
their ensampment with great exultation
over their victory, and counted their loss,
when it was found that two were killed, two
pronounced by physicians present to be f,-
tally wounded, and ten others wounded
more or less.
During the whole battle. the high bank
which overlooked the bottom across the riv-
or near Murphy's house, was lined with
spectators, - indeed the whole town of
Shakopee might be said to have been there,
watching the fight, a striking contrast of
barbarism and its spectacles with enlighten-
ment and its blessings.
Numerous trophies of the fight were &C.
cured, such as battle axes, etc. A map was
also found. drawn on birch bark, which de.
picted the Chippewa war trail, with some
hieroglyph;cs, which the wise men pretend-
ed to interpret. Several bloody Chippewa
heads were also purchased as mementos, and
ehO"u ~ VIC CuIlOus Will StCaC SuSCOs
it appears that the Chippewa Indians
have been committing depredations on the
white settlers. and that petitions have been
received by Gov. Sibley from citizens resi-
ding in the towns Of Dayton and Princeton.
praying for protection against their out
RACES. Gov. Sibley Immediately requested
the commanding officer at Fort Smelling to
dispatch company Of troops to the scenes
Of the outrages,4 and have those engaged in
them taken before the inhabitants for recog-
milton, aud all who are identified as particle
pators will be punished to the full extent of
the law
another Right.-The Pioneer of the Both
ult. says that hostilities between the Sioux
and Chippewas were re. commenced on the
10Th, on the north side of the MINES ota
river, on the bottom Immediately below
the town tsite) of Hennepin. When the
Antelope passed, in the morning, the two
parties were engaged in hand to hand con-
6ict. No particulars.