The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-10-03
COL. SIBLEYS EXPEDITION
Battle with the Indians.
Near the Yellow Medicine.
CAMP ATTACKED BY 300
INDIANS.
The Indians Defeated.
Thirty Indians Killed and a
Large Number Wounded.
-FOUR WHITES KILLED AND BETWEEN
THIRTY And FORTY WOUNDED.
MAI. WEIGH WOUNDED
Depression in the Indian Camp.
BRAVERY OF OUR SOLDIERS. &c. &c.
REPORT OF COL. SIBLEY.

Or SOL. L.
WooD LAKE, NEAR YELLOW MEDICINE,l
September %. 1862.
His EXcellency, ALEX. RAMSEY, st. Paul:
SIR left the camp at Fort Ridgley on
the 18th inst. with my command, and
reached this point early in the afternoon
of the 22d. There have been small parties
OF Indians each day in plain sight, evil
IDENTIFY acting as scouts for the main body
This morning l had determined to cross
the Yellow Medicine river, about three
miles distant, and there await the arrival
OF Capt. Rogers company Of the 18th reg
iment, which was ordered by me from New
Ulm, to join lie by forced march, the
presence Of the company there being rem
dered unnecessary by the arrival there of
another company a few days previous.
About 7 O'Clock this morning the camp
was attacked by about 900 indians, who
suddenly made their appearance and dashed
down towards Us, whooping and yelling in
their usual style and firing with great "a
pidity.
The Renville Guards, under Lieutenant
German, were sent by he to check them,
and Major Welch Of the Third Regiment
was instantly in line with his command.
with his skirmi>hers in the advance, by
whom the >fvages were CALAMITY met, and
after a conflict OF :; serious nature, repul-
sed. Meanwhile another portion of the In
dian force passed down ravine on the
right, witha view to ouihank the Third
Regiment, and ] ordered Lieut. Colonel
Marshall, with the five companies of the
Seventh Regiment who was ably seconded
by Major Bradley, to advance to its sup
port, with one six-pountler under the COM
mand of Captain Hendricks, and l also or
dered two companies Of the Sixth Regi-
ment to reinforce him. Lieut.. Col. Mar
shall advanced at a double quick, amidst
a shower of balls from the enemy, which
fortunately did little damage 10 his COM
mand, and after few voleys, he led his
men to a charge, and cleared the ravine
of the savages.
Major McLaren, with Capt Wilson's
company, took position on the extreme left
of the camp, where he kept at bay party
Of the enemy, who were endeavoring to
gain the rear of the camp and finally drove
them back.
The battle ragged for about two hours
the six-pounder and mountain howitzer
being used with great effect, when the IN
dams, repulsed at all points, with great
loss, retired with precipitation. regret
to state that many casualties occurred on
our side The gallant Major WEIGH was
badly wounded in the leg, and Captain
Wilson of the 9th regiment was severely
bruised by nearly spent ball in the slloul-
der Four of our men were killed, and
between thirty aud forty wounded, most of
them, am rejoiced to say, not seriously.
The loss of the enemy, according to the
statement of a half-breed, named Joseph
Campbell, who visited the camp under a
flag of truce, was thirty killed, and large
number wounded. We found and buried
fourteen of the bodies, and as the habit OF
the Indians is to carry off the bodies OF
their slain, it is not probable that the sum
total given by Campbell was exaggerated.
The severe chastisement inflicted upon
! them has so far subdued their ardOr that
they sent flag of truce into the camp, to
express the sentiment of the Wak-pa-tons,
composing part of the attacking force,
and to state that they were not strong
enough to fight us, and desired peace,
with permission to- take away their dead
and wounded. To this / replied, that
| when the prisoners were delivered up,
there would be time enough to talk Of
peace-that would not grant them per-
mission either to take their dead or wound
ed ..# s~
= I am assured by Campbell that there is
serious depression in the Indian camp
many having been opposed to the war, but