The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-08-29
TERRIBLE INDIAN RAID.
THE FRONTIER DESOLATED
THE INHABITANTS MURDERED.
SHOCKING BARBARITIEs.

From The Daily Pioneer of the I'D.
We can no longer shut our eyes to the
fact that the Sioux Indians have commenced
war upon the settlements on our own
frontier, and have massacred hundreds Of
men, women and children. The accounts
we publish below are conclusive, and show
that an Indian war has been inaugurated'
which sinks into insignifcance all the other
Indian wars which have occurred in this
country for thirty years. We have no
room for extended comments, but lay before
our readers the information which has been
received by our State authorities, from re-
liable sources:
LETTER FROM A. j. VAN WORRIES.
FORT RIDGLEY, Aug. 20, 1862, IL NJ.
Knowing the intense excitement that must
prevail throughout the State in consequence
of the Indian outbreaks and massacres of
the past two days, and with the hope that q
full knowledge of the facts will stimulate the
Government and citizens to prompt and de-
cisive action, l hasten to communicate such
items as the excitement of the hour, and the
exigencies ofaffairs as they appear to one on
the ground, will suggest.
1t is we'll known that dissatisfaction has
existed in the various tribes for some weeks
past, in consequence of the delay of the
Government 10 making the annual payment !;
but no one dreamed of we'll organized and
systematically.arranged outbreak embracing
tribes which have ever been hostile to each
other. This fact, in connection with cir.
cumstances which have come to my knowl-
edge within the past few days, convince me
that it is part of the plan of the great re-
bellion. The Government will be convinced
of this fact, should it prove that this is a
systemized raid all along the border, from
Pembina to the Missouri River.
The party attending Mr.. Wycoff, acting
Superintendent who was on bis way to the
Upper Sioux Agencies to the annual pay
ment, met messenger about six miias from
this place, on Monday morning, arnounc.
ing an outbreak at the Lower Sioux Agen-
cy, and the murder of all the whites in the
vicinity, except the few who had made their
escape. Upon our arrival here, we found
the statement confirmed. Upon learning
the facts Captain Marsh Immediately set
out for the Agency with forty-fve men of
bis communicating some twenty at the
the garrison. In the evening, seventeen
of his men returned. At the ferry oppo.
site the Agency, Captain Marsh enconn-
tered large body of warriors, who opened
fire upon him. After few volleys large
body of Indians ambushed in his rear, also
opened upon him, Immediately killing a
number of his men. A retreat was attempt
ed in which it was thought expedient to
make crossing of the river. While in the
water volley was fred upon Capt. Marsh
who Immediately went down. Beside the
Captain, three sergeants and four corporals
are known to be killed; and large num-
number of his command. Up to this time
but four additional soldiers have returned
three of them MORALLY wounded.
Monday night was night OF anxiety
and peril to the little band at this garrison.
Every man became soldier, and every pre-.
caution was taken to protect the fort.
Lieut.. Gere, of Company B, did all in his
power, whose efforts were seconded by every
civilian. The lights of burning buildings
and grain stacks lighted the entire horizon.
Escaped citizens came in during the night,
giving accounts of horrors TOO terrible for
the imagination to conceive or appreciate.
Mothers come 10 rags and baretooted, whose
husbands and children had been slaughtered
before their eyes. Children come, who wit.
messed the murder of their parents, or their
burning in their own houses. Every spe.
Gle of torture and barbarity the imagina
ton can picture, seems everywhere to have
been resorted to. l am no alarmist, and
would not excite the public mind but
these things are true, and unless met with
the most energetic and thorough resistance
by Government and people, God only knows
when the end will be. Our entire frontier
border will be sacrificed unless immediate
assistance is given.
On Monday morning messenger wal
dispatched for the company under Lieut.
Sheehan, of Company @, stationed at For
Ripley, who had been here some weeks with
command awaiting the payment, but who
had been ordered back to Ripley on Satur.
day. He was overtaken twelve miles from
this place. With commendable prompt
ness he Immediately turned back and ARR.