Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-10-09
The Indian War in Minnesota.
REPORT OF COL. SHELLEY.
WOOD LAKE, NEAR YELLOW MEDICINE,
1890


SIR 81 left the camp at Fort Ridg-
ley on the 10Th inst. with my COM
mand, and reached this point early in
the afternoon of the 22d. There have
been small parties of Indians each
day in plain sight, evidently acting as
scouts for the main body. This morn
ing had determined to cross the Yel-
low Medicine river, about three miles
distant, and there await the arrival
of Captain Rogers company Of the
Seventh Regiment, which was order.
cd by me from New Ulm, to join me
by forced march, the presence of
the company there being rendered
unnecessary by the arrival there of
another company a few days previous.
About seven o'clock this morning
the camp was attacked by about 800
Indians, who suddenly made their APP
pearance and dashed down toward us,
whooping and yelling in their usual
style, and firing with great rapidity.
The Renville Guards, under Lieu.
tenant German, were sent by me to
check them, and Major Wclch, of the
Third Regiment, was instantly in line
with his command, with his skirmish-
ers in the advance, 10y whom the saw
ages were gallantly met, and, after a
conflict of serious nature, repulsed.
Meanwhile another portion of the In.
dian force passed down a ravine on
the right, with view to outfank the
Third Regiment, and | ordered Lieu.
tenant Colonel Marshal, with the five
companies of the Seventh Regiment,
who was ably seconded by Major
Bradley, to advance to its support,
with one 6poundcr under the com.
mand of Captain Hendricks, and al
so ordered two companies of the Sixth
| Regiment to reinforce him. Lieuten.
ant Colonel Marshall advanced at a
doublc-quick, amidst a shower of balls
from the enemy, which, fortunately,
did little damage to his command, and
after few volleys, he led his men to
a charge, and cleared the ravine OF
the savages.
Major McLaren, with Captain Will
sons company, took position on the
extreme left Of the camp, where he
kept at bay party of the enemy
who were endeavoring to gain the rear
of the camp, and finally drove then
back.
The battle ragged for about two
hours, the 6-pounder and mountain
howitzcr being used with great effect
when the Indians, repulsed at al
points, with great loss, retired will
precipitation. regret to state that
many casualties occurred on our side
The gallant Major Welch was badly
wounded in the leg, and Captain Viii.
son, of the Sixth Regiment was bad
ly bruised by nearly spent ball il
the shoulder. Four of our men were
killed, aud between thirty and forty
wounded, most of them, l am rejoicet
to say, not seriously.
The loss of the enemy, according
to the statement of half.breed
named Joseph Campbell, who visited
the camp under flag of truce, was
thirty killed and large number
wounded. We found buried fourteen
of the bodies, and as the habit Of the
Indians is to carry off the bodies o.
their slain, it is not probable that the
sum total given by Campbell was ex
aggerated. The severe chastisemen,
inflicted upon them has SO far subdued
their ardor that they sent a flag OF
truce into the camp, to express the
sentiment of the Wak-pa-tons, com
posing part Of the attacking force
and to state that they were not strong
enough to fight us, and desired peace
with permission TO take away theii
dead and wounded. To this | replied
that when the prisoners were deliver
ed up, there would be time enough to
talk of peacc--that | would not gran,
them permission either to take THEN
dead or wounded.
lam assured by Campbell there is
serious depression in the Indian camp
many having been opposed to the
war, but were driven into the field
by the more violent. He further sta.
ted that 500 Indians were assembled
at the Yellow Medicine, within two
miles of the camp, but that the great.
er number took no part in the fight
The intention of Little Crow was to
attack us last night, but he was over.
ruled by others, who told bin if he
was brave man he ought to fight
the white man by daylight. am full
ly prepared against night attack,
should it be attempted, although l
think the lesson received by them to-
day will make them very cautious for
the future
| have already adverted to the
courage and skill of Lieutenant Colo
mel Marshall, and Majors WEIGH and
Bradley, to which beg leave to add
those of the officers and men of their
respective commands. Lieutenant
Colonel Averhill and Major McLaren
were equally prompt in their move
ments in preparing the Sixth Regi-
ment for action, and were both under
fire for some time. Captains Grant
and Bromley shared the dangers of
the field with Lieutenant Colonel Mar
shall's command, while Captain Will
son and his command rendered eff
cient service. The other companies
of the Sixth Regiment were not en-
gagged, having been in position to de-
fend the rear of the camp, but it was
difficult to restrain their ardor, SO
anxious were officers and men to
share with their comrades the perils
Of the field.
! am very much in want Of bread
rations, 6-pounder ammunition and
shell for the howitzers, and unless
soon supplied, shall be compelled to-
fall back, which, under present cir
cumstances. would be calamity,
as it would afford time for the
escape of the Indians, with their
captives.
| hope large body of cavalry is
before this on their way to join me.
If had been provided With five hun
dred of this description of force, to-
day | yentura the assertion that