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

Fooled in their attack on New Ulm, by
the timely arrival of Judge Flandrau, the
Indians moved, during the morning of
"Wednesday, over the distance eighteen
miles, between the town and Fort Ridgley,
and at q quarter-past three o'clock P. NJ,
commenced their first attack on the Fort.
1t was surprise. The first announce
ment was yolley fired through one of the
openings or entrances into the parade.
ground of the Fort-dong at once deadly
execution.
The men were rallied to their posts. Ser
geant Jones. Ordnance Sergeant, attempted
to use his guns but, to his surprise, found
they would not work. A hOwitzer was
brought into play, and in the meantime the
Sergeant drew the charges from his pieces
and found that rags had been stuffed into
them.
This was the critical moment.
Had the courage of the Indians been
equal to the opportunity, the Fort would
have fallen. The garrison was alarmed, the
women and children screaming with nncon'
trollable panic, and the guns for time dis
abled. But the moment passed, never to
return.
The treachery OF rendering the guns use
less was laid 10 the charge OF some half.
breeds who soon after deserted. 1t is but
Just, however, too add, in this connection
that number OF other half-breeds who re-
r,ained, were through all the struggle most
faithful, and fought with remarkable cour.
age.
The attack lasted from 81 to 61a
O'Clock P. NJ. The Indians fired from the
high grass and behind out~houses, logs
and every other object that could afford
them shelter.
During the struggle the garrison lost
three killed and eight wounded.
THE SECOND ATTACK ON THE FORT.
On the following day, Thursday, second
attack was made on the Fort.
1t commenced about O'Clock, A NJ, and
lasted for about half an hour. The fire was
by nc means 80 spirited as on the previous
day, nor the attack so bold.
At about ten minutes before six O'Clock
P. NJ, the attack was renewed, and lasted
for another half hour.
1t is probable that dnring this dav par,
of th- band was engaged ranging over the
country, burning houses and numbering
those who had not yet fed
THE THIRD ATTACK.
On Friday at ten minutes before two
O'Clock, P. M, third attack was made.
The Indians had been repulsed in theil
attemps on New Ulm, and again in three
assaults Oh Fort Ridgley. They seemed
to have resolved upon one last, desperate
effort against the Fort.
The attack continued from ten minute!
before two until quarter before sever
o'clock-nearly five hours s-and was mos
determined, bitter and persistent the gum
sounding in one continuous rattle, and tb'
bullets fairly peppering the more exposed
buildings. In one room, thirty.two bullets
were afterwards picked up.
Sergeant Jones displayed, in this contest
remarkable coolness, courage and prompt
ness. He was ably assisted by Lieutenan
Whipple, OF Faribault, resoute and skill
full man, and by Sergeant McGrew, equally
brave and efficient.
There can be no question but that the
shells planted by these skillful gunners mus
have done terrible execution. The Indian!
seemed to stand in mortal fear of the cannon
At one time charging party we're placed
close to the fort, and the half-breeds coult
hear the chiefs shouting to the warriors te
charge into the fort and seize the caunon
but without avail; their courage was no
equal to the task.
During this fight but one man was killed
and several slightly wounded. This small
loss Is to be attributed to the preparation
previously made for the shelter of the men
On Saturday, at A. NJ. the entire forct
was seen to proceed in the direction of New
Ulm. They were accompanied by a Ions
train of wagons, horses and oxen, carry ne
the plunder they had secured.
THE SECOND ATTACK ON NEW ULM.
During Wednesday, Thursday and Fri.
day, while the force of Indians was con
centrated for an attack on the Fort, New
Ulm was left undisturbed. This time wa
occupied by the garrison in Strengthening
their position, in burying their dead, and il
sending out parties to scour the country
One of these brought in thirteen persons
who had secreted themselves in q slough t,
escape massacre.
As the Indians moved from the Fort t,
New Ulm, during Saturday morning, the,
fired great numbers of buildings on thei
route. These fires were seen by the garrison
at New Ulm, and were the first intimatior
of the approach of the savages.
At about ten o'clock the enemy wer
seen moving rapidly around the town, bu
out of range.
At halfcpast eleven the attack com
menced. The force of Indians was esti.
mated at between four and five hundred
The pickets were first driven in; they raj
lied; the garrison went out to their assist
ance; in turn they fell back into the town
The fight ragged from house to house
The Indians in few minutes had fifteer
houses in blaze. They hid behind empty