, 1861-07-09
RA1tlc Between the Sioux aud Chip
as..-Eleyen Indians Killed and
AeFeoAl Wounded.

from the St. Paul Pioneer, Jn1y3l
We are indebted to James M'Fetridge, Esq,
late United States Collector at Pembina, for
the particulars Of the bloody fight between the
Sioux and Chippewas, Of which he was an eye
witness, at st. Joseph, on the Pembina River,
on the 10th Of June last
Last summer, while the Hon Charles Grant
was encamped with c party Of hunters on the
Mouse River, twelve horses we're stolen from
him by party Of Yankton Sioux Nothing
was heard Of the horses until the 10Th of June
last, when a party Of thirty-si Sioux warriors,
accompanied by two EquaWB, arrived at St.
Joseph with the stolen property, for the pur-
pose Of returning it, Ia pursuance Of recent
Treaty made between the Pembina half breed
hunters and the Yankton Sioux The delega-
ton with the stolen horses arrived oppos1ts
ct. Joseph about o'clock In the afternoon :;
cee1sd to the residence Of Gov. Nilkie, IA
member Of the last Territorial Legislature. !
Unfortunately q large party Of Chippewas fred
on the Sioux while they were in the act OF
entering Gov. Wilkes house. The Sioux
took possession Of the house. aud, renoy-
ing tie chinking'' from between the logs.
returned the fire with effect From this tine
until Hidnight constant firing was kept up
between the Indians. Six Chippewas, three
Sioux. and two Assiniboines were killed du.
ring the struggle. Gov, Wilkes daughter, In
passing within range of the combatants, was
severely wounded in the thigh by an arrow.
MI. MFctridge describes the scene as terribly
exciting, and relates instances of great in1i.
vidual bravery. One Chippewa, g son of the
Chief, Red Bear, was shot three times in an
endearor to enter the house d: each shot be
fell to the ground, but raised himself aud
pushed forward his progress was stopped at
The Threshold by one Of the Sioux chewing
lis heao through to the chin with an axe,
The house occupied by the Sioux is about
Two hundred feet from the river, The Chip
peWas surrounded 1t, and, to make their e.
cape, the Sioux were compelled to run that
distance, and wade the river to the south bank,
in the face OF constant fire from their enc.
mics. This they did, aided by the darkness
OF the night, with the loss Of one warrior, who
was found dead by the Chippewas In the morn
ing, Oh the south bank Of the stream. The
Sioux lett behind them two horses lin addl-
tion to the twelve stolen ones}, and the dead
bodies of three Of their warriors,
Mr. N'Fetridge states that the residence Of
Gov. Wilkie reEemb1ed slaughter hause on
the morning after the conflict. Five Chippe-
WAS and two Sioux were lying dead on the
floor, which WAS covered with their blood.
The Sioux did not scalp the dead Chippewas
N the honse, nor mutilate their bodies. The
ChlppeWas were more brutal; they cut up
the bodies Of their foes, and burned them
Although the half-breeds at st. Joseph re-
trained from taking any part in the fight, they
are apprehenelye Of IN attack from body Of
Sioux, now e1camped at DEVILS Lake. Tue
Sleux promised to return and settle accounts
W1th tie ChlppeWas In numbers like the mos
auitoes-avery fercible aimile in that locality.