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

A SEVERE ENGAGEMENT.
REPULsE OF THE sAvA0Es.
"a LITTLE MORE GRAPE FROM
SERGEANT JONES.

FORT RIDaLEY, Aug. rs, 1862.
To the Editors Of the Pioneer and Democrat.
l believe but one messenger has left the
post since my last communication, and be
so suddenly, that no opportunity was offered
for writing up the events of the preceding
day.
After closing my last on the morning of
the 2lst, the enemy appeared in consider
able force, and opened sharp fire on the
garrison. They were successfully repulsed,
and after rambling fire of three quarters
of an hour, retired. About o'clock in the
evening, the enemy re-appeared, evidently TO
ascertain the strength of our force and
the plan of our delenses. They were
warmly received by our gunners and
infantry, and at the going down
of the sun all demonstrations ceased. This
was night of much anxiety, as all antici-
pa,ed a night attack. Aside from a few
alarms, however, nothing occurred to dis
turb the quiet of the night. Every man
about the garrison was at bis post, and but
little rest was enjoyed by any. Here is one
of the many difficulties surrounding our sit
uation. The post was never designed as
place of defence o., if it was, the author
of the design could never have made more
egregious or objectionable blunder. Even
Fort Smelling, with which your home read
ers are all familiar, could be more effectu-
ally and more easily defended by fifty men
than this post could be with five hundred,
The result is, that with our present force.
every man is compelled to be on constant
duty. Do our military and civil authors
ties at the Capital know how long men can
stand the labors and dangers that we have
now faced for seven days without rest, only
as we get it sleeping upon our arms! 1t
would seem that they are endeavoring to
solve the problem, as we have not yet been
reinforced by a man, or encouraged by a
single word from headquarters.
THE BATTLE ON FRIDAY.
In anticipation Of desperate attack by
the enemy in strong force, Lieut.. Sheehan
commenced on Frida, morning to strengthen
his position by throwing up breastworks
around the garrison for the protection OF bis
men. This work was but partially cons
pleted when, at one o'clock p. NJ, the enemy
was seen advancing at distance OF two
miles in great numbers aud all mounted.
Taking cover in the innumerable ravines
surrounding and com pleteIy impaling the
garrison, seemingly designed by Nature to
favor al attacking party, they dismounted,
and at two o'clock made their approach and
attack simultaneously from three different
points. Under their cover, cur shells i'm
peded their progress but little. All OF cur
previous engagements were as boys play in
comparison with this 1t was evidently eX
pected to be the last Oh the part of the
enemy. ter they confidently designed a charge
and a capture. The first volley discharged
from the woods, the high weeds and out
buildings surrounding the barracks, was
perfectly terrific. 1t seemed that all the
incarnate fends of hell were concentrated
and let loose upon this little band, with all
the ferceness Of infuriated demons, crazed
for blood and plunder. The fire was re-
ceived with GOODNESS by our men, and re-
turned in the same spirit. Their little shell.
ter afforded some protection, while the
forces we're SO admirably distributed that
little change of position became necessary.
The officers and gunners were most exposed,
yet but enc man was killed, and three or
four slightly wounded.
Lieutenants Sheehan and Culver were
around with their men, and to their caution
and prudence we are indebted for the few
casualties. They directed their men to re-.
serve their fire until fair view of the enc
my was obtained, and then to bring down
an Indian every time. This GOODNESS SEEM
ed to a noy and embOlden the enemy, and
every time they presented themselves, Ser
geants Jones, Wbipple and McGrew would
send a voIley of shells into them. From
two until halfpast six o'clock this incessant
fire was kept up. Volley after volley was
poured upon US, yet our men did not waver
Once the enemy rallied in force at a given
point to make a desperate charge with war
clubs and tomahawks, after drawing the fire
of one of our guns in their front. Their
game was understood by Sergeant Jones,
and be directed Sergeant McGrew to give
them shell, reserving his own. This done
they arose for the charge, when case of
grape from Sergeant Jones' gun scattered
and confused them The enemy evidently
felt that they had received the worst of it
The rapidity and volume of their fire per
ceptibly slackened, and before sundown they
commenced moving off with their dead aud
wounded.
Early in the engagement they opened the
government stables and cut loose all the
mules and horses. The huge barn afforded
them shelter, and by direction was fred by
one of cur shells soon after the commence
ment of the engagement. The suffers store,
with some old buildings, were likewise
fired.
After seeing themselves foiled in taking
the post, their next game was to burn the
barracks in which are the government
stores, the families of citizens seeking pro.
lection, &c. A number OF fre-arrows were
found on the roofs of these buildings, but
fortunately they failed in their mission.
Every preparation was made for q night
attack, but the severe lesson of the after
noon, or care for their plumber prevented.
About 6 o'clock Saturday moraipg this
body of demons were seen approaching by
the same route, but continuing along the
ravines, and under cover of bills and wood,