Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-10
An Indian Battle.

A WHOLE Town WATCHING THE BATTLE
The Mnnesotisn, Extra, printed at Shak-
opee, gives an account of battle between
two Indian tribes, Chippewas and Sioux,
which took place 10 that vlclnlnty, and OF
which the citizens Of Shakopee were gratltied
spectators
The Chippewas numbered, according to
different enumerations made OF Them at hou-
ses where they passed, $50 to 200 warrlots.-
They arrived 10 the woods opposite To Muir
phys landing, below Snakopee, during W ed
nesday night. The first intlmaton the 81
oux had of their presence was the KiilnS
of one of their number, at day break, who
was fshing in q canoe. His squaw imme-
mediately fed to the teeees, which was about
q mile below the town, and gave the alarm,
when the Sioux warriors to the number OF
40 or so seized their guns and at once pro-
ceeded to the ferry under cover of the bush
es on the south bank. \ rapid ire then
commenced between toe hostile tribes across
the river, which did no damage to either
| party on account OF the distance. The emp
pewas fell back, however, and the Sioux III
a body crossed on the ferry, and the bat
tie again commenced in the timber with a
murderous feroclty, and lasted about hVe
hours.
The warfare was conducted in regular To-
dian style-a running fight among the trees
and logs, and grass interspersed with ie"
! haud.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 soUu as they recovered little
would again rush back into the thcHest OF
| the fight. The Sioux are said to have acted
with the greatest bravery during the whole
battle, charging upon and following thG en-
emy with perfect. desperation. W hen
ever q Chippewa would fall his head was
! Immediately cut off and carried to the rear.
| Four CHASTITY heads were thus taken over the
river and exhibited with great exultatiOn by
the sauaws, who were busy all the tine car
rying ammunition which, it Is said, was
| furnished by the citizens TO them Tree OF
charged and encouraging their warrlors.-
Later 10 the day, some headless bodies oil the
Chippewas were brought over, and the
squaws hacked them to pieces, aud hna!iy
kluded fire under one OF them aad burnt
it up, This last sickening spectacle OF bar
barity is said, by those who Witnessed 1t, to
have been hailed With tiendlsh eXutatl0u by
| the Sioux.
AT about III o'clock the Chippewas drew
| off and the whole force retreated over the
bluffs, in the direction of Lake MInnetonka,
leaving four Of their warriors behind them,
oae of whom, from the decorations on the
scalp, is supposed to be distinguished chief.
As they passed certain point Oh their trail
they were carrying SIX, and some accounts
say, eight wounded braves on lltterS, besides
those wounded WHO were able 10 walk, some
Of whom seemed to be badly hurt. The 81
oux then returned TO their tncampment with
great eGultatiOu over their victory, aud couu-
| ted their loss when II was found that TWO
were killed, two pronounced by physicians
present to he fatally wounded, and ten
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 fAunted on pole, and
four CHASTITY heads were paraded as tro-
phies besides the disfgured trunks OF two
others.
During the whole battle the high bank
which overlooked the bottom across the rlV,
er, near Major Murphy's house, was lined
With spectators; 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 OArbarians muir
dering, and manglnG, and mutllatlng each
other, 10 full sight Of city OF christians, It's
churches, court house and Institutions o.
learning Blrbarsm and It's brutal spccta-
Giles 10 contrast with enlightenment and IFS
blessings.