Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-06-08

An INDIAN BATTLE IN MINNESOTA. Min
nesotian, Extra, printed at Shakopee, gives an
account of battle between two Indian tribes,
Cbippewas and Sioux, which took place in that
vicinity, and of which the citizens of Shakopee
were gratified spectators:
The Chippewas numbered, according to diff.
ent enumerations made of them at houses where
they passed, one hundred and fifty to twohundred.
They arrived in the woods opposite to Murphy's
landing, below Shakopee, during Wednesday
night The first intimation the Sioux had of
their presence was the killing of one of their
number, at daybreak, who was fishing in ca
noe His squaw Immediately fed to the tepees.
which are about mile below the town, and
gave the alarm, when the Sioux warriors, to the
number of 40 or 30, seized their guns, and at
once proceeded to the ferry under cover of the
bushes on the south bank. A rapid fire then
commenced between the hostile tribes across
the river, which did no damage to either party
on account of the distance The Chippewas
fell back, however, and the Sioux in body
crossed on the ferry and the battle again COM
menced in the timber with murderous ferocty,
which lasted about five hours.
The warfare was conducted in regular Indian
style-a running fight among the trees and logs,
and grass, interspersed with few hand-to-hand
conflicts with tomahawk and war clubs. When
Sioux would fall 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
little, would again rush back into the thckest
of the fight. The Sioux are said to have acted
with the greatest bravery during the whole bat
tle charging upon and following the enemy with
q perfect desperation. Whenever Chippewa
ofa1v off md
carried to the rear. Four ghastly heads were
thus taken over the river and exhibited with
great exultation by the squaws, who were busy
all the time carrying ammunition (Which, it is
said, was furnished by citizens to them free of
charee) and encouraging their warriors. Later
in the day, some headless bodies OF the Chip
pewas were brought over, and the squaws hack
ed them to pieces, and finally kindled 8 lire
under one of them and burnt it up! The last
sickening spectacle of barbarity is said, by those
who witnessed it, to have been hailed with
iendish exultation by the Sioux.
About,10 o'clock the Chippewas drew OF and
the whole force retreated over the bluffs, in the
direction of Lake Minnetomka, leaving four of
their warriors behind them one of whom, from
the decorations on the scalp, is supposed to be
distinguished chief As they passed certain
point on. their trail, they were carrying 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 pronounced by physicians pres
emit to be fatally wounded, and ten others
wounded more or less, presenting bloody pic
ture of barbarisml to the crowds of citizens who
had assembled there. -Four raw scalps were
Haunted on pole and four CHASTITY heads were
paraded as trophies, beside the dsfgured trunks
of two others.
During the whole battle the high bank which
overlooked the bottom across the river, near
Mayor Murphy's house, was lined with specta-
tors indeed, the whole town might be said to
have been there watching the fight, and seeming
to enjoy the unusual spectacle of two nations OF
barbarians numbering, mangling, mutilating
each other, in full sight of city Of Ohristians,
its churches, courthouses and institutions Of
learning. Barbarianism and its brutal specta.
Giles in contrast with enlightenment and its bless
ings.