The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-19
STAT MENT OF THE MESSENGERS:
REPLY. OF COL, SIBLEH.
White Prisoners IN the Hands
of the Indians.
Projected Indian Attack ON St
Peter and MankatO.
Letters from Missionaries,
&c. &c. &c.
DISPATCH FROM COL. SIBLEY.
HEADQUARTERS IN CAMP,
Near Fort Ridgley, Sept. s, lS62. }

HEADQUARTERS IN CAMP,
Near Fort Ridgley, Sept s, lS62.I
Adjutant Gen. o. MALMRos, ST. Paul:
S1R:--I received dispatches from officers
at New UIm, Winnebago Agency, and
from Col. Flandrau at South Bend, last
evening, representing everything to be quiet
in that quarter. On the 9th, l dispatched
Capt. McLarty's company of the 7th regi.
ment to New Ulm, at the earnest request
of the people there and in the vicinity, who
represented that the settlers had been seized
with fresh panic, and would leave unless
more troops were sent.
With view to obtain some knowledge
of the condition of the prisoners, by indus
cling Little Crow to send me some half
breed with whom 1 could communicate on
the subject, left communication for him,
attached to stake, near the spot where
inferred our men killed in the attack upon
Major Browns camp, couched liz these
terms:
"If Little Crow has any propositions to
make to me let him send halfb breed to me,
and he shall be protected in and out of my
camp.
"Col Com. Mil. Ex.'
Last evening mule and buggy came into
view from the camp. l Immediately dis
patched the officer of the day to escort the
occupant or occupants in safety to my tent,
white flag having been conspicuously dis
PLAYED from tie vehicle. He returned ac-
companied by Thomas Robertson, son of
the late superintendent of farming and teach
ers among the Sioux, (one-eighth bloody
and Thomas Robertson, a half breed, son of
a quondam trader of that name. They
brought me response to my note to Little
Crow, of which the following is verbatim
"Yeilow Medicine, Sept. 7th 1862"
DR. Sir,
for what reason we have commenced
this war | will tell you, it is on account of Maj
Galbrat, we made treaty with the Govern
ment beg for what little we do get and then
can't get it till our children was dieng with
hunger-it was with the traders that commence
Mr. A. j Myrick told the Indians that they
would eat grass or their own dung. Then Mr.
Forbes told the lower Sioux that were not men
then Robert he was making with his friends
how to defraud US of our money, if the young
braves have push the white man l have done
this myself So want you to let the governor
Ramsey know this. have great many pris.
-
the Winnebagoes was in the engagement two
of them was killed. want you to give me
answer by the barer all at present
yours truly
Friend LITTLE ID CROW
mark
Addressed to "Gov H. H. Sibley Esqr'.
fort Ridgley"
| have questioned the two men very
closely with reference to the prisoners,
their number and condition, the loca-
tion of the Indian camp, the intention
of the leaders, and state concisely the sub
stance of their replies: They say the white
women and children number 100 or more,
that no violence has been offered the for
mer, that they are as we'll taken care of by
tuc ldTIutC luUldUS dS ClTCuulSCdUCCS Will
permit, that they are allowed full liberty
during the day, but are guarded at night,
that only one half-breed, L. Sabathe, was
killed, and he would not have been had he
not resisted. The other half-breeds are kept
as prisoners, although unguarded. 1t is
announced to them that if they attempt to
escape, they and their families will be killed.
They have in many instances been forced
to participate in the fights that have oc-
Cured under penalty of being killed. They
say many of the Sioux, indeed all of the
lower bands, were in favor of giving up
the white prisoners, but one upper Indian
objected, which brought on general wran-
gle among them.
To-day 1 send back the bearer OF the
truce flag with note in these words:
"L1TTLE Crow You have murdered many
of our people without any sufficient cause.
Return me the prisoners under flag OF truce
and will talk with you like man.
"H. II. SHELLEY,
"Col. Com. Mil. Exp'n."
| am very anxious to secure the safety
of the many prisoners before attacking the
camp, as they will doubtless be placed in
the most exposed situation. The plumber
of fighting men among the lower bands is
5l7, according to actual enumeration, OF
Wakpet0ns about 25O, and that they have
been reinforced by 600 men from the Yank