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

Mr.. John B. Fish, of this city, who is
well known here as reliable gentleman
arrived in this city yesterday. He has, for
the last two months, been On surveying
expedition from Medaia west to Sioux
Falls, and has had unusual opportunities for
observation OF the Indians From him we
CLEAN the following interesting items:
Mr.. Fish arrived with his party of twelve
men at Medaia, sixteen miles south of New
Ulm, on Tuesday at II NJ, the 10Th inst /;
be found the settlers greatly larmed-some
packing to leave and others leaving every
thing behind and fleeing the country. Mr..
Fish succeeded in gathering eight or ten
families together and commenced certifying
the place as best they could. On Wednes.
day some seventy men had collected and re-
solved to defend their lives and property.
They mustered together about forty guns,
and sent Immediately to New Ulm for am.
munitioD. Up to the time of bis leaving
there had been no attack by the Indians,
although they were continually proving
around in small parties.
He says the country bordering on the
two Cottonwood Rivers has been entirely
run over by the Indians crops destroyed
and buildings burned.
4 settlement at Lake Shetek, sixty miles
southwest of New Ului, numbering forty.
five families, have all, but two persons, been
killed by the savages.
Another settlement on the Dee Mc,nes
river was notified of the approach of the
savages and at once began the work of pro-
lection. This settlement numbers 40 or so
families. Six of Mr.. Fish's men went out
from Me9alia as a scouting party. A few
miles cut they discovered two Indians com-
ing directly towards them. They concealed
themselves until they came near, when upon
inquiry, they found them to be Winneba
goes, who said they were out hunting duck
they were asked what their guns were load.
ed with, and they SAID shot. One of the
party said they would take charge of their
guns, and upon dischargipg them found they
were loaded with bullets and sugs MIR.
Fish has no doubt but small parties oil the
Winnebagoes are in league with the Sioux,
bus thinks the majority Of them are still
friendly, although they seemed quite upon
the point OF an outbreak, and thinks if the
Sioux succeed IN convincing them of their
ultimate success in oyerpowelpg the whites
they will at ouce unite their forces with the
Sioux.
Alter conversing and minglng with the
half-breeds at st. Peter for two days, ard
eliciting all the facts possible, MIR. F. is
satisfied that this is an uprising OF the Wild
Sioux, IN conjunction with the annuity I'M
dians. and that it is preconcerted and de-
termined movement. An old chief remark
ed that the white people were fighting
among themselves, and that none bat the
women, children and old men were left in
the country, and now was the time for them
to rise and kill all the inhabitants and take
possession of the land
He says the Belgian guns sent up to st.
Peter have proved entirely worthless. Out
OF one hundres of them tried on Sunday,
only about 20 would fire at all, and only
TWO out of the 100 bit a board eight feet
long and II inches wide. at distance of 80
r DIS.
There were in st. Peter, on Monday,
1900 cavalry and infantry intending to leave
early on Tuesday morning. for Fort Ridg.
ley. ,.-.
MIR. Fish states that on Sunday night
Antoine Premier and another Half Breed
scout went out from st. Peter towards
Ridgley, and when about seven miles out,
were fred on by the Indians. and were
compelled to return to st. Peter.
j. R. Brown had not heard from his fam
lily on Monday evening.
Mr.. Fish says that the number already
killed is estimated from 600 to 1000.
Mr.. Carruthers, who was delegate TO
the Owatonna Republican Convention,
learned on biz. return that his family had
been killed.
Mr.. White, who was absent, on his re.
turn, learned that his wife and daughter
were captured, and his two young sons
Killed. One son escaped.
Mr.. Earl lost his wife, daughter, and one
son.
All the people around Swan Lake, Is
miles west of st. Peter, have been MUIR
dered.-Daily, Aug. 20.