Newbern weekly progress., 1862-09-20
The Indian War.
Gallant Defence of Fort RidgeIy.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-THE following des
path has been received at the Head quarters OF
the Army:
HEAD QUARTERS FoRT RiDGELY, MlSN, Aug.
81. Gee eral IL haYo the honor to report that
this post was assaulted By u large force OF Sioux
lndmns on the Goth inst. The small remnant
Of Company b, Filth Regiment Minnesota Vol
unteers, and the RenvIle Rangers, a company
just organized for one of the regiments Of this
State, were the only troops had under my
command for its defence, and nobly did they
do their duty.
The engagement lasted until dark, when the
Indians finding that they could not effect
lodgnent, which was prevented in great
measure by the superior lire Of our artillery
under The immediate charge of 0rdnance-Sur
geant j. Jones, United States Army. which
compelled them TO evacuate the rayines BY
which this post is surrounded, they withdrew
their forces, and the gallant Little gai r on rested
on their arms ready for All attack During the
night several people, remnants Of once thriving
families, arrived al the post in most miserable
| condition, SOME wounded and severely burnt,
baynG made their escape from their dwellings,
which were burnt by the Indians. The people
inthe Immediate vicinity acd 10 the post, and
were organized aGd aimed as lar as practicable
in the defence.
| On the 22d they returned with much lar,
ger force aud attacked us on all sides, but
the most determined was on the cast and
west corners or the fort, wh hich are in the
immediate vicinity Of the favines, The
west corner was also covered by stables and
t In, h,1 bipl, ofl,,,II tl,, Ipf
protection, and in order to protect the garrison
| ordercd'them TO be Destroyed. Some were
fired by the artillery, and the balance by the
Reilville Rangers, under the command OF First
| Lieutenant 5. German, to whom and tho men
under his command, great credit Is due tor
their gallant conduct The balls fell thick all
over and through the wooden building erected
Tor oliic, r. quarters, still the men ma alntd
their ground. The lda0s prepared 10 storm,
bat the gallant conduct Of the men at the guns
parayzed tie NEST determined attacks ever
made by Indians on military post.
| 1'he men Of Companies B and L, Fifth Rcgu.
| lar Minpts,a Nolln'eo aided ~ Il liens,
did good execution, and deserve the highest
praise for their heroic conduct,
| beg leave to bring to your notice Dr. Mul.
er the Acting Assistant Surgeon Of the post,
wh,, assisted by lis excellent lady, attended
the wounded promptly, and am happy to say
that under his careful treatment most all Of
then are prospecting fayora6ly. Mr., Wykolf
and party, OF the lndan Department, with many
ttAsrctizlns, rendc'e eiii' Isn't sew ces.
unf suali arm ammun ton nearly failing, on
consultation with Orderly Sergeant J. JONES' |
ordered the balls to bercmovtd from some Of
the spheric case shot, which, with the balls
fred by the Indians, mary of which were col.
lrctcd, recGst, and ammunition ss,ared by a
fparty Of men and ladies, organized for the pur.
pose, who worked night and day until a good
supply was obtained
The buildings composing the garrison pre-.
per are still sp, but they are very much
sSrecked; all OF the out buildings, except the
4 guard house and the magazines, are entirely
destroyed most of the mules and oxen be.
longing TO the Quartermaster Department
were taken by the lndans, and We are lef
with scanty supplies Of transpor atien,
adopted every possible means in my power
for the defence, by erecting barrcades, cover
ing the storchousts with earth To guard against
Eve arrows, several Of which were thrown
determined TO sacrifice all but the mems quar-
ters aud storehouses, which are stone build
ings.
! also herewith enclose a list Of killed ant
wounded. Three killed and thirteen wounded
Respectfully, your obedie.t servant,
(Signed) 4. j. SHEEHAN,
lst Lieut.. Go. c, Fifth Reg. Minn. Vols,
Commanding Post