Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-09-16
IMPORTANT FROM wAsHINGTON.

W ARLINGTON, sept. II.
The following dispatches have been re-
eeived at the Headquarters of the Army:
HEADQUARTERS FoRT RDGELY, Mimi,
August 26th 7
To GENERAL HALLEcK, Commander-in-
Chief:-I have the honor TO report that
this post was assaulted by-a large force of
Sioux Indians on the Goth inst. A small
remnant of Company B, 9Th Regiment
Minnesota volunteers, and the Boonville
Rangers, company just organized for one
Of the regiments of this State, were the
only troops | had under my command for
its defense, and nObly did they do their
duty.
Finding that they could not effect a lodg-
ment, which was prevented in great
measure by the superior fire of artillery,
under the immediate charge of Ordnance
Sergeant ]. Jones, United States Army,
which compelled them to evacuate the ra-
vines by which this post is surrounded.
They withdrew their forces and the gallant
little garrison rested on their arms, ready
for any attack. During the night several
people, remnants of once thriving fami-
lies, arrived at the post in the most miser-
able condition, some wounded and sorely
burned, having made their escape from
their dwellings which had been fred by
Indians.
The people in the immediate vicinity fed
to this post and were organized and armed
as far as practicable, to aid in its defense
On the 22d inst, the Indians returned with
a much larger force and attacked us on all
sides, but the mostdetermined attacks were
an fha ct and g IL r.
which are in the vicinity of ravines. The
west corner was also covered by stables and
log buildings, which afforded the Indians
great protection, and in order to protect
the garrison, ordered them to be destroy.
ed. Some Of them were destroyed by ar
tillery, and the balance by the RenviIe
Rangers under command of First Lieu
tenant S. German, to whom, and the men
under his command, great credit is due for
their gallant conduct.
The balls fell thick over and through
the wooden building erected for the Off
GERS quarters. Still the men maintained
their ground. The Indians then prepared
to carry the post by storm, but the gallant
conduct of the men at the guns. paraIyzed
them, and compelled them to withdraw, af-
ter one Of the most determined attacks
made by Indians on a military post The
men of companies and c, 9th regiment
Minnesota volunteers, aided by citizens,
done great execution, and deserve the
highest praise for their heroic conduct.
z Mr.. Wykoff, of the Indian Department,
with many other citizens, rendered eff
cient service. Our small arm ammunition
nearly failed. On consultation with Ord
nance Sergeant Jones, ordered the balls
to be removed from some of the spherical
case shot, and many of the balls fired by
the Indians were collected and recast.
Ammunition was prepared by party Of
men and ladies organized for the purpose,
who worked night and day, until q good
supply was obtained. The buildings COM
posing the garrison proper are still up
but they are very much wrecked. All the
outbuildings, except the guard house and
magazines were entirely destroyed. Most
of the mules and oxen belonging to the
Quartermaster's Department were taken by
the Indians, and we are left with a scanty
supply of transportation.
adopted every possible means in my
power for defense, by erecting barricades
and covering storehouse with earth, to
guard against fire from the arrows, which
were thrown witha determination to make
complete sacrifice of everything, but the
mems quarters and storehouse, which were
stone buildings, were saved. also en-
close list of killed and wounded three
killed and thirteen wounded.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
----5 FL. SHUMAN,
1st Lieutenant, Co. C, 9th Regt Minneso-
ia Volunteers, Commanding Post.