The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-05

finished, the interior woodwork having been
altogether of black walnut; the garden and
out buildings bore every evidence of thrift
and competence.
Near it were the remains of another
house, owned by Mr.. Bush, also reduced to
ashes. Both these buildings had been, l
think, used as hotels.
1t is singular fact that the Indians
burned but few houses. Great numbers
were left untouched. 1t is still more re-
markable that those burned were l under
stand, in every instance, hotels.
DEAD BODIES.
At the little town of West Newton, eight
miles from Fort Ridgley, we came upon the
first dead body.
1t lay across the road, not far from
small church, bIoated, discolored, and far
gone in decomposition. The back of the
head appeared to have been broken in, the
scalp was gone, and the skin wrinkled down
over the face so as to destroy all semblance
of human features. 1t was indeed a terri.
BILE sight. No clue has been obtained, or
perhaps ever will be, to the name of the IN
fortunate man. He will lie unknown in the
grave to which he was hurriedly consigned,
until the last judgment.
A rod or two beyond him on little
bridge lay bundle of female clothing. 1t
was probably dropped by some woman in
her hurried fight.
Still nearer to the fort, about mile and
q half from it, in the grass, close to the
road side, was found another body. 1t was
that of Felix Smith, formerly soldier in
the regular army, stationed at the fort, but
lately discharged, and residing four miles
from it. He had been scalped, and bis
throat cut.
FORT RIDGLEY.
l found Fort Ridgley most disadvantages
ously situated for place of defence.
1t is built upon projecting spur of the
bluff, almost completely encircIed by deep
and wooded ravines, the edges of which are
within stones throw OF the buildings. A
more unfortunate location could not have
been selected. The Indians are able at any
time to surround it, lying on the brow of the
ravines, or amid the trees and shrubbery, and
doing deadly execution against the garrison.
The plan of the fort is equally bad. There
is not single fire proof building in the
whole group. In the middle is long, two.
story stone building, with piazzas. At a
right angle with this, and forming with it a
letter L" is smaller stone building, one
story high. Around these are ranged, some.
what in the form of circle, number OF
log and frame buildings, used for different
purposes These constitute the fort. Be-
yond this circle, there were, before the fight
few detached buildings, at different dis
tances, such as the barn. the lime-house, the
suffers store, and Mr.. Randall's store.
1t was from these detached buildings that
the Indians fred on the garrison, and,it was
found necessary at an early stage to burn
them, which was done by skil!ully exploding
shells in them.
HISTORY OF THE OUTBREAK.
So far as can ascertain, by collating the
statements of different reliable persons, the
following is the history of events, in the Or
der in which they occurred.
On Sunday the 18th inst, five persons
were murdered in Acton, Meeker county.
This probably was one of those accidental
outrages at any time to be anticipated or
the remote frontier. 1t fell, however, like 9
spark of fire upon a mass of discomfort long
accumulated and ready for it.
On Monday morning, the 18th inst, at
o'clock, A. M the work of destruction COM
menced.
At this time there were in Fort Ridgley
about eighty soldiers of Company B, of the
5tb regiment, under command OF Captain
M,r,b This oonot;fptod tho onf,ro militia
ry force in charge of the post.
At 9 o'clock A. M. news came to the Fort
of the outbreak, and Captain Marsh, will
a force variously reported at forty>four OF
fifty one men, started for Redwood. 1 neec
not detail the particulars of the complete
and destructive ambuscade into which be
was led, and the disastrous results which
followed.
! At IL o'clock, NJ, of the same day the
party having in charge the money for the
Sioux annuity payment, to wit: Messrs
Wyckoff, Hatch, Ramsey, Van Worries ane
Daley, arrived at the Fort.
At dusk of the same day, La Croix, g
scout sent out from the fort, returned with
information of the attack on Capt. Marsh
the slaughter of the Captain and large
portion of bis command, and the escape o.
fifteen of the party, who were then close te
, the Fort and coming in.
During all this day and the next, fugi.
tives continued to pour into the fort, bring
ing from every quarter terrible tales o
slaughter and destruction, of burning houses
and murdered families.
On Tuesday, the 10Th instant, Lieutenant
Sheehan of Company G, of the 5th Regi
ment, arrived, with fifty men of his compa'
ny. He had been some time previously or
dered to attend the payment at Yellow Med
icine. Subsequently he had been ordered
from that point to accompany Commission
er Doe to the treaty with the Red River
Indians. He Yves, on Monday, about forty