The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-07-23
Terrible Battle between the Sioux and
Chippewa Indians.
ON the st. Paul Pioneer, July 3.

From the st. Paul Pioneer, July 3.
We are indebted to James M'Fetridge,
Esq, late United States Collector at Penn
binaw, for the particulars of the bloody
fight between the Sioux and Chippewas,
of which he was an eyewitness, at St.
Joseph, on the Pembna River, on the
10th of June last.
Last summer, while the Hon. Charles
Grant was encamped with a party of
hunters on Mouse River, twelve horses
were stolen from him by party of Yank
ton Sioux. Nothing was heard Of the
horses until the 10th of June last, when
party of thirty-six Sioux warriors, ac.
companied by two sqaws, arrived at St.
Joseph with the stolen property, for the
purpose of returning it, in pursuance OF
a recent treaty made between the Penn
binaw and Yankton Sioux. The delega-
ton with the stolen horses arrived oppo.
site the st. Joseph about 9 O'Clock in the
afternoon they Immediately crossed the
river, and proceeded to the residence of
Gov. Wilkie, a member Of the last Ter
ritorial Legislature.) Unfortunately a
large party of Chippewas fired on the
Sioux while they were in the act of en-
lering Gov. Wilkes house. The Sioux
took possession of the house, and, remov-
ing the "chinking from between the
logs, returned the fire with effect. From
this time until midnight constant ii
ring was kept up between the Indians.
Six Chippeway, three Sioux, and two AS
siniboines were killed during the strug-
gle. Gov. Wilkes daughter, on passing
within range Of the combatanls, was Sc
yerely wounded in the thigh with an ar,
row. Mr. NJ Feuidge describes the
scene as terribly exciting, and relates in
cidents of great individual bravery. One
Chippewa, a son Of the chief Red Bear,
was shot three times in an endeavor to
enter the house at each Shot he fell to
The ground, but raised himselfa and push
ed forward his progress was stopped at
Tie threshold by one of the Sioux cleav
ing his head through 10 the chin, with
an axe,
The house occupied by tie Sioux is
about two hundred feet from the river.
The Chippewas surrounded it, and, to
make their escape the Sioux We're com
PEELED TO run that distance and wade the
river TO the south bank in the face of a
constant fire from their enemies. This
they did, aided by the darkness Of the
night with the loss of one warrior, who
was found dead by the Chippewa in the
morning on the south bank OF the stream
The Sioux left behind them thirty two
horses { in addition TO the twelve stolen
ones and the dead bodies of three OF
their warriors.
Mr.. MFetridge states tha! the resi-.
dence Of Gov, Wilkie resembled a slaugh.
ter house on the morning after the con
flict. Five Chippewas and two Sioux
were lying dead on the floor, which was
covered with their blood. The Sioux
did not scalp the dead Chippewas in the
house nor mutilate their bodies. The
Chippewas were more brutal they cut
up the bodies of their foes, and burned
them.
Although the half-breeds in ST Joseph
refrained from taking any part IT. the
fight, they are apprehensive OF an attack
from body of Sioux. now encamped at
Devils Lake. The Sioux promised to
return and settle accounts with the Chip
pewas in numbers like the musquitoes-
very forcble simile in that locality.
Congress appropriated, year or more
ago, $685. 900 Tor the erection OF fort on
Pembinaw River 10 prevent such outra-
ges as this. We submit the occurrence
here related indicates the necessity OF
immediate action on the part OF the Fed
eral Government. There should be a
permanent military post located at ST.
Joseph, or in that vicinity. Immediately