The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-10-21
-rHE INDIAN WAR IN MINNESOTA.


TIE Yankee Commissioner has an Interrieso
soih the Chippepas.
The special correspondent of the Philadelphia
Inquirer, writing from St. Paul. Minnesota, under
date October 5, gives the following description of
an interview between the Yankee Commissioner
Dole, and the Chief of the Chippewas:
Wednesday morning word came from Commits
sioner Dole for all to be in readiness for start to
Crow Wing, where he expected to meet Hole-in
the DAY. At 8 A. VI. we were in the saddle and
off, reaching the rendezvous in two-and-a half
hours. Soon the Indians were discovered cross
ing the river in large numbers; the agreement
being that only the Chiefs and head men unarmed
should come over. But, to establishment,
fully three hundred painted warriors could be ce-
serted approaching g, armed with guns, clubs and
tomahawks
Suddenly about one hundred of the number de-
tached themselves from the main body, and before
we understood their design, the rascals had passed
behind the village and were slowly filing into line
across the road 10 our rear. The remainder form
ed the bank of the river on our left.
The bushes the hillside to our right swarmed
with them, while the chiefs, led by Hole-in-t the
Day, cooIly seated themselves in a semi circle, in
an open space in the front. All this passed so
| quickly that few minutes elapsed ere our eyes
were opened to the fact that completely
surrounded, aud at the mercy of the In
dians. notwithstanding the odds, every man
seemed eager to open the ball
! Our captain had gone to the Agency, and Lieu
tenant w b. Morehead took command of the
troops. The infantry, under Captain Libby, were
| drawn up in a triangular position all ready for
work. Lieutenant Morehead dismounted his men,
and formed them around the Commissioner.
Mr. Dole, accompanied by Messrs White and
Nlcolay, several officers and the interpreter, adj
vaEced and seated themselves before the Indians
The "Body Guard" closed up behind and the
council began.
| l noticed that every Indian had his gun lying
across his lap ready to be grasped at moments
| notice, and made up my mind that if there was
a fight, al olein the Day" should receive the COM
pliments Of my bullets. As l gazed upon the di-
abolica mugs" Of those before me, and glancing>
along the hill, saw each bush surmounted by
head, and turning viewed the dark line of savayes
behind me, the fact is things looked dark
The Council commenced by Mr.. Dole recapit-
| ulating all that the Indians HAD done; how by
their lawless acts and cowardly attacks they had
almost deropulated that section of the country
and had driven.their Agent Mr. Walker, to in
sanity and suicide He called upon them to re-
turn to their reservation and promised, in the
name of the "Great Father at Washington, that
all would be forgiven them, if they would disband
and swear eternal peace towards the Whites other
wise, would be declared, aud they would be
swept from the face Of the earth. Hc sat down,
in the midst of gloomy silence. Every mans
hand instinctiVely frightened around his weapon,
for the next sound might be war whoop and
voey.
"Hole the Day." with scowl Of i'll concealed
anger, arose and made long and incoherent har-
rangue. He complained that soldiers had been
sent to arrest him without a cause; that they had
fired on him; that the Government Agent had
been engaged for many years in swindling the
Indians. He demanded large present in money
and goods, then his young men would go to their
| wgwams, the Ratchet would be buried, and they
would smoke the pipe of peace.
Mr. Dole replied that the Indian was the child
of the government; and that it i'll accorded with
the dignity of the representative of the "Great
Father to listen to complaints or tender gifts to
rebellous cldldren when they assumed such an
aggressive attitude at present. He asked why
so many armed warriors were assembled
"Hole-in the-day" answered, that his young
men feared some treachery to their chief, and
would come along; that he did not wish to fight
the whites, but that if the commissioner would
meet him in the next day he would try and have
the difficulty settled. The commissioner appoint
ed an hour. The Indians slowly and silently
moved away, while We, breathing freely, re-
turned to the fort.
| The next day We started for the place of meet
ing prepared for brush. One hundred infantry
had marched up during the night. Two brass
hovitzers loaded with grape preceded u.s. When
we arrived at Crow Wing, the cavalry secured
the bushes and woods behind the town in squads
so as to prevent repetition of the previous days
surprise. Cavalry pickets were thrown out all
around the town, up and down the river bank,
and at regular intervals down to the fort, and yet
| not an Indian was to be seen.
| The Commissioner sent messenger up to the
agency on business. The Indians, surrounding
him, made him dismount, took his horse, aud sent
the poor fellow back afoot Offended at this con-
duct, Mr.. Dole sent letter to 'Hole-in-the-day,
demanding instant restoration of the horse and
that he should meet him in council within one
hour or he would return to Washington add leave
the matter with the military authorities.
The answer come back that the young man
would not do it, and the Commissioner and uard
turned their backs on Crow Wing for the last time
The next morning we saldled our horses, bid
adieu to Indians and started for St. Paul. The
trip down was accomplished in three days, with
nothing of note except some very hard riding.
L l. -