The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-11-25
CAMP slBLEy, LOWER Sioux AGENCY J,

LEAR GUARDIAN Away up in the
land OF the Dacotahs, campad among the
charred and blackened ruins of their
former trading post, high up above the
turbld waters of the Minnesota. which
flow as calm and peaceable at our feet as
II 1t had never been startled by the saw
age yell Of the Indian and the shrieks of
the wounded and dying here we are all
camped at last, after a trip which has
partaken more of the romance and pleas
ure, than the harpsbip and privation, of a
soldiers life.
This is beautiful and lovely morning.
The wind which for the last "a hours has
ragged as it only can rage on the high
prairies of Minnesota, has died away, and
a walk in the cool bracing air of a No
vember sunrise, is quite luxury.
Around US are scattered the white
tents OF the soldiery. To the left, beyond
what was once the stony store house of
the Agency, and grouped around the ru-
ms of a beautiful church, stands hun
dreds of Indian teepees, with their 1900
women and children swarming in and
out like so many bees after June show
err and just before us the long, low,
rough shed in which are confined some
400 warriors, prisoners who have already
undergone their trial, and are now await
ing the punishment due their crimes.
Let us follow the never ending train OF
squaws and pappooses that are vending
their way to the prison to bid good bye
TO their lords and masters-for this is a
farewell day with them, tomorrow they
must separate, the warriors below to meet
their fate, and the women and children
l know not whittier.
Scores of loaded muskets are stacke d
around the entrance, while the guard
liStlessly sit or stand near by, making
free and not very complimentary remarks
upon the dusky fair ones that crowd to
the entrance.
In the doorway stands two soldiers with,
bayonets crossed to bar intrusion. "Can
we pass to see the prisoners 20
Yes, sir, in moment. We are rather
crowded this morning, and this searching
business takes some time"
In few moments we are admitted,
and now you see what this searching
business means. Every woman and
child is thoroughly examined, to be sure
that no knives, daggers or other offensive
weapons are concealed about their per-
sons, and in the present case it is done
with rather more freedom than delicacy.
But let us have a look at the prisoners.
What are these miserable, dirty, un-
washed beings the famed Sioux warriors,
who have wrought SO much mischief,
and caused SO much terror throughout
Northern Minnesota, and even called a
famed General from his post upon the
Potomac, TO suppress their acts of wick
edness
Can they be the lineal descendants OF
that nation whose name, once so famous
IN song and story, was safeguard for
friends and terror to enemies "Icha-
bod, tiny glory hath departed"
Sitting In chains, amidst the stale
fumes of tobacco, wrapped in foul blank
els, some doing, some lingering packs
of greasy cards, some eating, or with
unmeaning grunts receiving food from
the hands of their squaws, with listless
eyes and countenances devoid OF express
ion /; tell me, does the poetry and romance
OF the Indian still linger with you, or has
it, like mine, departed
Their eyes may flash, and their coun-
tsnances light up in the expression OF
battle, but they are arrant towards, as
witness the battles Of Fort Ridgely and
Birch Coolie, where mere handful OF
men, with no Notifications, not even an
earth work, were more than match for
from TO 600 Indian Jravess
But see, they are taking leave of one
another. Wives and husbands, fathers
and children, perhaps forever. Not a
sigh, not tear, moi even caress for the
babe at its mothers back in perfect ST.
lsnce they shake hands, and so depart.
There are some griefs too deep for words,
but can it be possible that beneath this
seeming indifference there are breaking
hearts and passionate woe Who can
tell
Let us pass out. We can breathe free
here, and the bright sun and pure air
seem doublv dear altar tho noixoma pris-