The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-05
Terrible Battle between the Sioux and
Chippewas at st. Joseph.
ELEVEN INDIANS KILLED AND SEVERAL
WOUNDED.


We are indebted to JAMES M'FErR1DaE,
Esq, late United States Collector at Penn
bina, for the particulars of bloody fight
between the Sioux and Chippewas, of which
he was an eye witness, at st. Joseph, on
the Pembina river, on the tenth of June
last.
Last summer, while the Hon. CHARLES
GRANT, was encamped with party of
hunters, on Mouse river, twelve horses were
stolen from him by party of Yankton
Sioux. Nothing was heard of the horses
until the 10th of June last, when party
of thirty-two Sioux warriors, accompanied
by two squaws, arrived at st. Joseph with
the stol len property, for the purpose of re.
turning it, in pursuance of recent treaty
made between the Pembina half-breed hum
tiers and the Yankton Sioux. The delega-
tion with the stolen horses arrived opposite
st. Joseph about two o'clock in the after
noon they Immediately crossed the river
and procee ded to the residence of Governor
WILKIE IA member OF the last Territorial
Legislature). Unfortunately large party
of Chippewas, aud also parties of Assini-
BONES and Crees were encamped at st. 10.
seph ; and the Chippewas fired on the
Sioux, while they were in the act of enter
ing Gov. WILKES house. The Sioux took
possession of the house, and removing the
"chinking" from between the logs, returned
the fire with effect. From this time, until
midnight, a constant firing was kept up be.
tween the Indians. Six Chippewas, three
Sioux. and two Assiniboines, were killed
during the struggle. Gov. WILKES daugh-
ter, in passing within range of the combat-
ants, was severely wounded in the thigh by
an arrow: Mr.. M'FETR1DGE describes the
scene as terribly exciting, and relates in.
stances of great individual bravery. One
Chippewa, a son of the Chief, RED BEAR,
was shot three times in an endeavor to en-.
ter the house at each shot be fell to the
ground, but raised himself, and pushed for.
ward 1; bis progress was stopped at the
threshold, by One of the Sioux cleaving his
head through to the chin with an axe.
The house occupied by the Sioux is about
two hundred feet from the river. The
Chippewas surrounded it, and to make
their escape, the Sioux were compelled to
run that distance, and wade the river to
the south bank, in the face of constant fire
from their enemies. This they did, aided
by the darkness of the night, with but the
loss of one warrior, who was found dead by
the Chippewas in the morning, on the south
bank of the stream. The Sioux left behind
them thirty-two horses lin addition to the
twelve stolen ones) and the dead bodies of
three of their warriors.
Mr.MCFETR1DGE states that the residence
of Gov. WMKIE resembled a slaughter
house, on the morning after the conflict.
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 dead
foes, and burned them.
Although the half breeds at st. Joseph
refrained from taking any part in 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 Chippewas, in
numbers like the musqnitoes-a very fore.
ible smile in that locality.
Congress appropriated, year or more
ago, $50 900 for the erection of fort on
Pembina river, to prevent such outrages as
this. We submit that the occurrence here
related, indicates the necessity Of immediate
action on the part of the Federal Govern
ment. There should be permanent mil.
tary post located at St. Joseph, or in that
vicinity, Immediately.