The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-12-12
The Trouble at Mankato.
THE OUTBREAK OF CITIZENS.
ATTEMPT TO GET AT THE INDIANS.
THE WHOLE CROWD ARRESTED
A Big FiZzle and Nobody Hurt.

From the Mankato Record of Saturday.
Our town, on Thursday night and Fri
day, was the scene of an unusual excite
ment among the military, caused by re-
port that the citizens contemplated attack
ing with view of massacring the Indian
prisoners. AS near as we can get at the
facts connected with this excitement, they
are as follows
On Thursday morning report was
quite currently circulated at st. Peter that
the people of Mankato intended attacking
the Indians that night, and that assistance
was expected and desired from the adjoin-
ing towns The report spread rapidly,
was publicly discussed, and caused much
excitement in that city. The first intima-
ton of the report reached Colonel Miller's
camp, near this place, about noon, through
half-breed squaw from st. Peter, who
communicated it to the Indians. 1t was
subsequently confirmed by dispatches from
the military authorities of st. Peter and
New Ulm. Believing an attack was really
contemplated, knowing the exasperated
state of the public mind in consequence of
the rumors that the President would par
don the prisoners, and thinking that the
plan was extensive, extending throughout
the entire Valley, Colonel Miller immedi-
ately prepared for vigorous and deter
mined defence. Couriers were dispatched
to St. Peter, the Agency, Judson and 9th
er points, for assistance.
The first intimatiOn that an attack was
contemplated, was not known to our citi-
zens until towards evening, when it was
generally disbelieved and discouraged.
About this time number Of teams, bring
ing from sixty to eighty persons, arrived
from st. Peter. Believing the report, they
came to take hand in the affair. Sym
pathizers in the movement in our town,
rang the bell, and called a meeting in Ma
sonic Hall. The room, we understand,
was well filled. Many persons were pre-
sent from mere curiosity. No regular Or
ganization was effected, but speeches were
made in English and German. The crowd
was much excited, and it was plainly evil
dent that the whole thing was spontaneous,
devoid of plan, and without head or lead
er. The tenor of the speeches was that
the Indians must be killed, and though
parties present attempted to dissuade the
crowd, their efforts were without avail
The assemblage finally adjourned, for the
purpose of meeting an armed force of two
hundred men reported on the road from
New Ulm, and expected to arrive at mid
night.
About II o'clock, the crowd numbering
not more than one hundred and fifty per-
sons, commenced moving in small squads
towards the camp. a few had clubs, one
or two hatchets, some knives, but large
majority were apparently unarmed.
A company Of cavalry and several of in
fantry had reached the camp before the
crowd commenced moving. The men
were under arms, the officers on the alert,
and strong guards posted around the camp,
at La Huillieur bridge, and along the road
leading thereto No person was allowed
to pass Thus communication between
the crowd on this side and the force ex-
pected from New Ulm was cut off.
The crowd from this direction, still dis
organized and without any definite inten-
ton, advanced within sight of the camp,
where they halted While talking and
cheering, cavalry company from the
camp approached silently, surrounded the
crowd and took them all prisoners. The
cavalry and the crowd cheered each other,
and the latter were moved towards the
camp. \ few of the most conspicuous
were taken to Col Miller's tent, where
they were Intercepted as to their inten-
tons. Some had come to view the ''nOble
red men of the forest" after midnight, and
others were on their way to visit some
friends on the opposite side Of the river
They were finally released upon condition
that they would return quietly to their
homes, and select more seasonable hours
for their future visits to the camp and to
their friends. Several weapons were taken
from prisoners. All were then escorted to
the town by cavalry.
The expected force from New Ulm did
not arrive. We have since understood
that several hundred armed men had start
ed from that place, but before reaching
the Little Cottonwood, they learned that
Col. Miller had been notified of their in
tentions, whereupon they turned back-a
most fortunate circumstance. Had they
come, collision with the troops would
undoubtedly have occurred, and the result
of which cannot be foretold.
The whole movement was rashly, fool
ishly conceived and conducted, and, to say
the least, unjustifable at the present time.
Many persons accompanied the crowd to
camp from mere curiosity, and without
any intention to take part in the contem
plated attack No one seemed to have
confidence in the movement, which was
demonstrated by the apparent willingness
with which they allowed themselves to be
surrounded and captured by a greatly in
ferior torce.s
As near as we can trace the origin OF
Thursday nights demonstration, it is attri-
butable to a rumor that the Indians were
to be taken to Fort Smelling, and that
they were to be removed after night. The
manner in which the Winnebagoes were
released gave credence to this report.
EXTENSIVE PREPARATIONS.
On Thursday evening, as soon as Col.
Miller received intelligence OF the threat
ened attack upon the Indians-not know
ing the extent of the movement dis
Iol 70 L.. nor Iy,