Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-07-09
An Indian Battle.

,AswHoLE TOWN WATCHING THE BATTLE.
The Minnesotian. printed at Shakopee
gives an account of battle between two
ludiau tribes, Chippewas and Sioux.
which took place in'that vicinity, and of
which the citizens Of Chakopee were graf.
lied spectators: g aas has hiailasi'4'
The Chippewas numbered, according
to different enumerations made of them
warriors. They arrivedat the woods OPP
posite to Murphy's landing below Shakos
pee, during Wednesday night. The first
intimation the Sioux had oftheirlpresenee
was the killing of one Of their number at
day break, who was fishing in canoe
His squaw Immediately fled to theitepees,
which is mile below town. and gave the
alarm, when the Sioux warriors, to tbs
number of 40 or so, 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 &C
count of the distance. The Chippewas
fell back. however, and the Sioux in II
body crossed on the ferry and the battle
again commenced in the timber with
murderous ferocity, and 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 club. 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 thickest Of the
fight. The Sioux are said to have acted
with the greatest bravery during tho
whole battle. charging upon and follow.
| ing the enemy with perfect desperation.
Whenever Chippewa would fall his head
was Immediately cut off and carried to the
rear. Four ghastly heads were thus Ia
ken over the river and exhibited with
great exultatiou by the squaws. who
were busy all the time carrying ammunf-
ton. (Which, it is said. was furnished by
citizens to them. free of charge and en-.
couraging their warriors. Later in the
day, some headless bodies of the Chppe-
was were brought over. and the squaws
hacked them to pieces, and burnt il upl
This last sickening spectacle of 5arbarity
is said, by those who witnessed, TO have
been hailed with fendish exultation by
the Sioux.
About ten o'clock the Chippewas drew
off, and the whole force retreated over
the bluffs, in the direction Of Lake Mime.
tonka, leaving four Of their warriors be.
hind them, one of whom. from the decor>
atoms on the scalp, is supposed to be a
distinguished chief. As they passeda GER
tain point on their trail they were carry
ing six. and some accounts say eight,
wounded braves off 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 present to be fatally wounded.
and ten others wounded more or less, pre-
scented bloody picture of barbarism to
the crowds of citizens who had assembled
there. Four raw scalps were TAINTED on
pole, and four CHASTITY heads were par
AIDED as trophies, besides the dis6gured
trunks Of TWO others.
During The whole battle the high bank
which overlooked the bottom across the
river, near Mayor Murphy's house, was
liped with spectators - indeed. "the
whole town" might be said to have been
there watching the fight. and seemed en-.
joyed the unusual spectacle of two nations
of barbarians, numbering, mangling, mu-
tilating each other, in full sight of a city
of Christians. its churches, court houses
and institutions of learning. Barbarism
and its brutal spectacles in contrast with
enlightenment and It's blessings.