The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-14
THE INDIAN EXPEDITION.
LETTER FROM GEN. SIBLEY'S CAMP.
CAMP SHELLEY, RED WOOD AGENCY,l
November /, 1862.

To the Editor Of the Pioneer.
We have now the most comfortable
camping grounds that have fallen to our
lot during the campaign. We are located
on high prairie, close to the Minnesota
river, and wood and water are easily OBJ
tanned.
The ferry has been put in running order
and thereby furnishes an easy transit across
the river for foraging parties, and to those
going to Fort Ridgley- Whom wo came up
wo wcrc obliged to cross at the Fort,
which made the journey several miles Ion
ger. A number of buildings have been
left by the savages, and these are occu-
pied for various purposes Other buildings
have been constructed for hospital purpo-
ses and officers There is plenty of lum-
Der, and if more was wanting, there is
saw mill which could easily be put in
running order, and furnish a supply. Stoves
in abundance have been obtained and pro-
trude their blackened pipes from the tent
tops. For those who like fire places, con-
venient bricks are at hand, for their con-
struction. Col. Crooks has had one of these
constructed for his tent, and the blazing
brands remind one of home, and suggest
gay, hilarious times.
Men will make themselves comfortable
in camp. If logs are not to be found,
they build houses from sods, and dig holes
in the ground, as some of our men did at
Camp Relief.
We are still finding victims of the mas
sacre. A foraging party was out day before
yesterday on the other side of the river,
and twelve miles above here, found the
remains OF twelve persons. In one house
skull lay upon the bed, and in the same
room was dead hog, who had probably
been feeding on the remains. Around the
premises were couple of dogs. How hor-
rible the thought of these animals preying
on the bodies. This party went out again
to-day, and short distance above the
same place found the remains of thirteen
more bodies. One skeleton was evidently
that of avery strong, powerful man. His
skull was fractured into bits. Cattle were
running around almost as wild as the buff
alO.
An OK was lying on the ground writhing
in agony, and frothing at the mouth. The
men shot him, thinking that he had the
hydrophobia. Many of the dogs are said
to have gone mad Desolation reigned
supreme. 1t would not have been well for
'Lo" to have made his appearance on
that scene of their inhuman butchery.
If flag of truce had been raised, they
would have wrought into the flag, without
troubling its bearers with the burden.
Henceforth, for many a year, l have no
doubt that on our borders Indian hunters
will be found who will emulate those of
whom the early history Of our country
tells, bent on war to the death with the
savage tribes.
Men whose wives and children have
been brutally murdered and mutilated, and
homes desolated forever, will never rest
till blood has answered for blood-Gods
fierce avengers in the future. Success to
their unerring trities!
1t is supposed that there are many other
bodies still lying unburied above Beaver
Creek. Antoine Premier, on his way
down from Yellow Medicine to the Fort at
the commencement of the attack, while
the battle at the Fort was raging, saw
twenty-seven bodies, that he thinks have
not yet been buried.
He went into house to find match to
light his pipe. There he saw seven little
children, the eldest not over eight years
old-Germans. One of them, girl, was
wounded in the hand. They appeared to
be stupid and unconscious Of their condi-
ton. He asked one where her mother
was, and she pointed him in the direction
He went out of the house, and, passing
down a little path, found, closely grouped
together, twenty-seven dead bodies! The
only living creature there, was little child
on the breast of it's mother, vainly seeking
for nourishment Being alone, and beset
by savages, he had to leave to them their
fate-starvation.
The Indian camp, containing several
thousand souls, and composed principally
of women and children, is pitched close to
ours. Nearly in the centre of it stands the
blackened walls of church, which charita-
BILE and pious hands built for their edifica-
ton, but which they ruthlessly destroyed.
The only enemy that has threatened
Us here has been the prairie fire.
The other evening it came down upon
us, " like an army with banners" with
the rush of the storm. A regiment
was turned out to contend with it; but,
luckily, their efforts were not needed, as
convenient change in the wind carried it
off in another direction.