The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-10-03
From Fort Abercrombie.
R endorsements Arrived.
NnTN AnTOU nEnUTD nHnnT n
GREATJOY OFTHEPEOPLE
II III E L A ST FIG II L
Two Killed and Three Wounded
STATEMENT OF W. P. HILL.

Mr.. W. p Hill, who has heretofore made
two successful trips from Fort Abercrom-
bic to St. Paul, arrived Monday after
noon, making a third successful trip since
the investment of the Fort by the Indians.
Mr.. Hill left Fort Abercrombie on
Thursday night last at eleven O'Clock, in
company with Sergeant J. Shepley of St.
Cloud, and ]. Caswell. The party brought
dispatches from the Commander of the
Fort to the Governor.
When about twenty-five miles from the
Fort they found the country lighted up
with signal fires, showing that Indians were
in the neighborhood and had discovered
them; but owing to the darkness success
full pursuit was impossible, and. when day
light appeared there were no Indians in
sight. They kept off the main road, tax
ing the old Or more southerly trail, over
the prairie. They saw signs of Indians at
different points on the route until they
| IettCilcu kotuk .S0iltIe, Dul uin not OncOQI-
ter any.
1t will be remembered that Mr. Hill left
here some two weeks ago as a guide to the
soldiers who were advancing to the relief
of the Fort.
He had gone forward with Capt Bar
ret's company, but received orders to fall
back to Sank Centre, and join Capt. Der.
ger, who had charge OF a company of the
Third Minnesota, and Capt. Sherlnan's
Saint Cloud cavalry. The company left
Sank Centre on the 10Th, and joined Capt.
Barret's company at Fairfield Station.
On Sunday, the 21st, they found the body
of Andrew Austin at Evansville, who was
probably killed two weeks previously by
the Indians. His body was horribly mu-
tilated. On the 22d they saw large
body OF Indians at place called Stony
Creek. The cavalry pursued, but owing
to the impossibility of getting through the
brush the pursuit was soon given up.
The whole force arrived at the Fort on
the 23d, and were received with the great
est demonstrations of Joy.
When within eight miles Of the Fort
the soldiers saw great smoke, and sup
posed the Fort was being destroyed, but
they soon found out the Indians had set
fire to the prairie, in the hope to prevent
the further progress of the soldiers.
At the Fort they had received no news
for two weeks, and supposed that Mr.. Hill
had been killed, as he was so much longer
away than he expected to be.
Mr.. Hill states that the escort that had
come out with Tarbell and Thompson (who
arrived here on Saturday night, and whose
account we published on Sunday morning),
were attacked when about two miles from
the Fort. The escort consisted of forty
men, fifteen of whom had remained at the
Ferry. The twenty-five remaining had to
retreat and fight their way back, which
they succeeded in doing, with the loss of
two men, and the wounding of three of
their number. They were attacked on all
sides by squads Of Indians, and it is great
wonder that their loss was not greater.
Edward Wright, son Of Mr.. Wright of Day.
ton, and soldier Of the Fifth Regiment
were killed Mr.. Wright was shot through
the head. The soldier was shot through
the leg, and was afterwards bayoneted
by the Indians, who used his own bayonet
for the purpose.
The wounded were G. Y. P. Lnll, shot
through the calf Of the leg, and - Bing-
ham, shot in the leg; and another, name
unknown to Mr.. Hill.
The achievements arrived about four
hours after this fight had taken place. The
Indians made no attack on the Fort, and
kept at great distance from the reinforce
ments.
After Captain Berger's arrival, Captain
Vanderhock turned over the command of
the post to him, and Captain Berger i'm
mediately set about entrenching the fort,
and making good defences. He retained
the teams sent along with the reinforce
ments, and will not send them back until
the defences are complete, when he will
send the women and children and citizens
who have taken refuge there to St. Cloud,
with sufficient guard for protection.
The commander has made requisition
for more ammunition. Mr.. Hill saws the
general impression is that the same body
Of Indians who made the attack on the
fort are still in the vicinity, and that they
are waiting for reinforcements before max
ing another demonstration in BODY.