The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-21
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.

sent out Immediately to search for Mr.
Bracket, but, although the pursuit was so
long ard diligently continued, nothing
could be found of him save his supposed
tracks to the trail of the train. The body
of Lieut.. Freeman was found, and in the
Uorning it was brought into camp in an
ambulance. An arrow had pierced his
breast, and the tomahawk and scalping-
knife had left bloopy traces about his
head. Poor fellow! We buried him in
the common grave of DIR. Weiser and
privates Stark and Murphy, and at the
same time mourned for George Bracket
as really as though we were adding his
remains also to the soldiers grave. There
were some, however, who felt certain that
he had escaped, and that be would yet be
found alive upon our return to Camp
Atchison. Crhis expectation was fully
and happily realized before the Expedition
arrived at Camp Atchison. Mr. Brack-
ett's story is given elsewhere.)
ARRIVAL AT THE MISSOURI.
On Wednesday morning, the 22d, at
about half-past eleven O'Clock, the Expe-
dition halted just outside the timber that
lines, to the width of mile, the banks of
the Missouri near Apple Greek. Upon
our arrival we could easily see the fleeing
and frightened foe scrambling up the bluffs
opposite, and apparently in great numbers.
Of course no cautious or skillful COM
monder would advance his forces into
such q thicket, without first examining
for q concealed foe. So the line halt
ed, and the Sixth regiment advanced
through the brush towards the banks
of the Missouri river. CAPITA n Jones
having first shelled the woods, without
disclosing any Indians, however. As the
skirmishers pushed their way towards the
river, they were fred upon by concealed
Indians on the opposite shore, but no ono
was injured. The firing was returned
with liberal volleys which must have kill
ed and wounded a number. A great
amount OF the property of tae Sioux was
discovered scattered about in the bushes,
but the rascals themselves had all escaped.
The Sixth was ordered out of the woods
and the line of march was resumed, that
the men might be sheltered from the ter
rible sun Of the day, in camp. Wemoved
little way along the river to high
ground between the Missouri and Apple
Greek, and soon our tents were pitched
and the men seeking rest and comfort,
though all were little cross atfinding the
enemy escaped to the further side Of the
Missouri. As nearly as we could calculate
we encamped that night 100 miles above
Fort Pierre, and sixty miles below Fort
Clark.
DEATH OF LIEUT.. BEKvRR.
On Wednesday evening, about nine
O'Clock, inquiries began to be made for
Lieut.. r. j 81. Beever of the Generals staff,
who had been sent into the timber during
the afteroon with message to Col.
Crooks. It was soon found that he had
not been seen since delivering the errand
to Col. Crooks, and fears were entertained
| at once that he had been killed. There
beng a possibility of his having lost his
| way, cannon were fred and rockets sent
up, but of no avail. There was no distur-
bance that night, and on Thursday large
force was sent out for the several purposes
of seaching for Mr.. Beever, also for private
Merrill missing from the Sixth, and to
destroy what property might be r1Dain-
ing concealed in the bushes. The force
remained out till evening, and returned
with the remains of both the missing men.
Beever was found lying near his horse,
both having been shot by arrows. Two
broken arrows were still hanging from his
back. He was stripped of everything but
his under-clothing, and the side Of his
face was hacked with tomahawk. The
head of Merrill was scalped, but other
wise he was not mangled. Both Beever
and Merrill had evidently lost their way,
and were ambushed while wandering
about. The funeral ceremonies took place
on Friday, those of Bsever. being attended
with Masonic services. 1t was doubtless
the first Masonic funeral in Dakotah.
! Poor Beever! One who had learned in
few short weeks to look upon him with
more than common feelings of friendship,
claims the privilege of adding to these
facts about his death, few statements
with regard to his mysterious and some
what eccentric life.
spent his last hour in his company, and
was conversant with much of his inner
and unknown life. He was an Englishman,
of an aristocratic and wealthy family, now
residing in London. He received a most
complete education, taking high honors
at Oxford University. A sad disappoint-
ment crossed his path soon after leaving
Oxford, dashing the hopes and plans of
years. Since then he has led rowing
life, spending two years in travel upon the
continent, serving in various capacities
through the Crimean war, at one time
serving upon Lord Raglan's staff, and
travelling over every part of the United
States. He once owned yacht at New
York, in which he sailed to the West In
dies. Among other requirements he was
a very superior photographer, and had a
splendid apparatus which he intended to
have brought with the expedition. A
little more than year ago he came to
Wisconsin to hunt, and engaged with
Mr.. Robert Ireland, of Sparta, in his
favorite sports. Mr.. Ireland followed
his master on this expedition, and is
broken down with grief at the sad calamity
which has happened, as though it was his
own son. 1t is affecting indeed to witness
his sorrow, and to listen to his constant
exclamation that If old Ireland had been
there, his poor life might have been given
for the younger and more valuable"
Lieut.. Beever offered his services to Gen.
Sibley when he was arranging for the cam
paign, and place was assigned him upon