The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-26
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.
THE INDIAN WAR IN MINNESOTA
Official Report from Fort Ridgley.

WASHINGTON, September l4.-The fol.
lowing dispatches have been received at the
headquarters of the army:
HEADQUARTERS. Fort RIDGLHY, MINI,
August a6, 1862.
To General HALLECK:
l have the honor to report that this post
was assaulted by large party of Sioux In
dians On the Goth inst. a remnant of COM
pany B, 5th regiment Minnesota volunteers,
and the Renville Rangers, a company just
organized for one of the regiments from this
State, were the only troops had under my
command Tor its defence, and nobly did they
do their duty. Finding that they could not
effect lodgment, which was prevented in a
great measure by the superior fire of artil~
ery under the immediate charge Of Ord,
nance Sergeant j. Jones, y. S. A., which
compelled them to evacuate the ravnes by
which this pest is surrounded, they with
drew their forces, end the gallant little
garrison rested Oh their arms, ready for any
attack.
During the night, several people, rem.
nants of three thriving families, arrived at
the post in the most miserable condition,
some wounded and severely burned, having
made their escape from their dwellings,
which had been fred by the Indians.
The people in the immediate vicinity fled
TO this post, and were organized and armed
as far as practicable, to aid in its defence:
On the 22d instant the Indians returned
with much larger force and attacked us
on all sides, but the most determined at
tacks were on the east and west corners Of
the fort, which are in the vicinity of the ra-
vines. The west corner was also covered by
stables and log buildings, which afforded
the Indians great protection, aud in order
to protect the garrison | ordered them to be
destroyed. Some we're fired by artillery,
and the others by the Renville Rangers, unS
der command Of FIRST Lieutenant j. Cor
man, to whom and the men under his COM
maud, great credit is due for their gallant
| conduct.
The balls fell thick over and through the
wooden buildings erected for the officers
quarters; still the men maintained their
ground. The Indians then prepared to carry
the post by storm, but the gallant conduct
of the men at the guns paral yZed them, and
| compelled them to withdraw after one of the
most determined attacks made by the In
dams on a military post.
Ihe men Of Companies 3 and G, 5th
regiment Minnesota volunteers, aided by
citizens, did good execution, and deserve the
highest praise TOR their heroic conduct.
Mr.. Wykof, of the Indian Department,
with many other citizens, rendered efficient
service.
Our small arm ammunition nearly failed.
On consultation with Ordnance Sergeant
Jones, ! ordered the balls to be removed
from some OF the spheric case shot, and mas
ny of the balls fred by the Indians were
collected and re-cast. Ammunition was
prepared by party OF men and ladies, Or
ganizcd for the purpose, who worked night
and day until good supply was obtained,
The buildings composing the garrison pro-
per are still up, but they are much wrecked.
All the Out-buidings, except the guard
house and magazines, were entirely des-
troyed
Most of the mules and oxen belonging to
the Quartermasteg's Department were taken
by the Indians, and we are left with scan.
ty supply of transportation.
l adopted every possible means Of de-
Tense in my power by erecting barbados,
covering the storehouses with earth to
guard against fire from the arrows, which
were thrown with the determination to make
a complete sacrifice of everything but the
mems quarters and store.house, which were
stone buildings, were saved.
also enclose list OF killed and wounded
three killed and thirteen wounded.
n T. SHEEHAN
lst Lieut.. Co, c, 9Th MINI. Vol, commanding
ing post.