The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-22


cavalry force is sadly needed here now
for scouting purposes. There is no doubt
in my mind that large cavalry force at
the present time, properly distributed,
might arrest many of those poor wretched
beings, and quietly slip them off unbe-
known to the citizens, to some place of
safety, where after a time they will no
doubt be turned loose, to re-unite with
their kindred allies in avenging the deaths
of their persecuted friends at Mankato.
Col. Peteler, the commander of this
fort, will leave here in few days, with
two companies, for the purpose OF scour-
ing the country between here and the
Cheyenne, James, and Wild Rice rivers,
and have no fears of having to pay taxes
for the transportation of any Sioux to a
place Of safety that he may meet with on
the route. Reserving Sioux prisoners is
played out with Minnesota soldiers, and
our Colonel in particular and hope he
may meet with many ofthe dear creatures,
and that I may have the pleasure Of being
his judge advocate on the occasion.
The steamboat International is safely
moored under the protection of the guns
of this fort, and splendid boat she is
larger than the Jeanette Roberts, nicely
fitted up, we'll painted, and in perfect run
ming order, andin every respect does credit
to its enterprising prOprietOrs, the Messrs.
J. G. e. H. G. Burbank, and Captain
Painter and his craft is second to none of
the Minnesota river packets.
He states that, not being able to keep
up with the train, and wishing to keep his
furs dry Git was raining nearly all day.,
he camped at the old crossing, and started
next morning at daylight After travelling
ten miles, he found the bodies of the SOL
dier and citizen, and, becoming alarmed,
he left his cart, furs. and one gun, and
started for Pomme de Terre on horseback {;
and Oh nearing Stony Creek his dogs
stopped and began to bark, when the saw
ages raised up and commenced firing upon
him, and chased him about half mile,
when he took refuge at this post. p.
FoRr ABERCRoMBIE d. T., May 8, 1868.
Three half-breeds by the name OF Savoy
ard, Resoenbleau and Mason, arrived here
last night from St. Joseph. They report
that they met eight Sioux about thirty-tive
miles below here on Red River, who made
friendly demonstrations to them, and after
wards smoked with them. The Sioux told
them to keep at distance from the river,
as they might be ambushed and fired upon
by other parties.
James Mickey, well known citizen of
Fort Garry was accidently shot and Sc
verely wounded here on Friday morning
last. He was standing on trunk when
his gun slipt, and the lock striking on the
edge on the trunk exploded, the charge
carrying away his thumb and lodging in
his body. He is now under the care Of
Doctor Braun, the post surgeon, and is
considered out of immediate danger.
Yours, SQUIRE.
May 9TH, II p. NJ.
POSTSCRIPT Since writing the enclosed,
Mr. Adams has arrived here. His escape
| is almost miraculous, having been fired at
6 or times at short distance, by four In
dans that he saw.
They also told them that at Mini Wakon,
known as Devils Lake, there were two
hundred lodges, and on the east side of
the grand plateau Du Coteau, commence
ing at Bald Hillock Greek, there was
eight hundred lodges of Sioux; each
lodge containing from one to five war
riors. Bald Hillock Greek is about four
days or one hundred miles from Fort Alb
ercrombie.
They are now hunting aud curing Buff
falo and preparing to encamp on Devils
Lake, at a place known as Thunder Hills,
intending to fight any force that may be
sent against them. They also inform
ed the half breeds that at Thunder Hills
they cannot be approached even by Red
River carts, owing to marshes and steep
bluffs. Their statement Is believed to be
pretty reliable
Lieut.. Col. Peteler, commanding this
Fort, is using all the precautionary meas
ures within his power against a sudden
surprise here. (You would think so your
self if you knew how often he appointed
me officer of the guard.) The most dan
ger to be apprehended is to small parties
travelling without sufficient escort.
Lieutenant Beauliew and escort of COM
pany G, 9th Regiment, who left here on
Wednesday, with the St. Paul mail, re-
turned to night. He saw no Indians and
brought no mail. He went as far as
Pomme de Terre, and fully confirms the
statements in my last letter, respecting
the murders at that place. Probably, ere
this you have heard that Captain Rock
wood of the Marshall Guards, at Alexan-
dria, met with serious accident by the
accidental discharge of his gun, the ball
passing through his right foot.
The health of this garrison is moderately
good, but Doctor Braun, Post Surgeon,
(whO by the way, was formerly citizen
of st. PauD informs me that he is entirely
out of many of the most essential medi-
cines, although he has made repeated ef-
forts to procure the same.
Yours, SQUIRE.