Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-01-15
TO be rorv with the blood of babes.

to be CORY with the blood of babes
Oh, treachery, thy name is Dakota.
Father Ravoux spent 1.-The whole
night among the doomed ones, talking
with them concerning their fate, and
cndeavoring to impress upon them a
serious view of the subject. He
met with some success, and during
the night several were baptized, and
received the communion of the church.
THE FATAL FRIDAY.
At daylight. we were again there.
That good man, Father Ravoux, was
atill with them, also Rev. DR.. Will
hanson and whenever either of these
worthy men addressed them, they
we're listened to with marked atten-
ton. The doomed ones wished it to
be known among their friends, and
particularly their wives and children
how cheerful and happy they all had
died, exhibiting no fear Of this dread
event. To us it appeared not as an
evidence of Christian faith, but a
steadfast adherence to their heather
supcrstitions.
They shook hands with the officers
who came in among them, bidding
them goodbye, as If they were going
on long and pleasant journey. They
had added some fresh streaks Of YER
million and ultratAarine to their coun-
tenanccs, as their fancy suggested,
evidently intending to fix themselves
off as gay as possible for the coming
exhibition. They commenced singing
their death-song, Ta-zoo leading, and
nearly all joining. We had never
heard this song, and could not now
tell it from the war song but it was
wonderfully exciting.
At half past seven all persons were
excluded from the room, except those
necessary to help prepare the prison
ers for their doom. Under the super
intendence of Major Brown and Capt.
Redfeld, their irons were knocked
of, and one by one were tied by cords
their elbows being pinioned behind
/. and the wrists in front, but about six
inches apart. This operation occu-
pied till about nine o'clock. In the
meantime the scene was much emil.
vened by their songs and converse
tion, keeping up the most cheerful up
pearancc.
As they were being pinioncd, they
went around the room shaking hands
with the soldiers and reporters. bid
ding them goodbye &c. Whit
Dog requested not to be tied, an,
said that he could keep his hand
down but of course this reques
could not be complied with. He sai'
that Little Grow, Young Six and BIZ
Eagles brother got them into thi
war. and now he and others are t,
die for it. After they were all prop
crly fastened, they stood up in row
around the room, and another exciting
death song was Sung. They then ga
down very quietly, and commenced
smoking agaiN Father Ravoux cam.
in and after addressing them few
moments, knelt in prayer, reading
from o prayer-book in the Dakota
language, which portion of the con.
demned repeated after him. During
this ceremony, nearly all paid the
most strict attention, and several
were affected even to tears. He then
addressed them again, FIRST in Dakots
and then in French which was inter
preted by Baptiste Campbell, one o
Che condemned half-breeds.
The caps we're then put on thei
heads. These. werc made of whit'
muslin taken from the Indians whei
their camps were captured, and which
had formed part of the spoils the,
had taken from the murdered traders
They were made long and looked Ills,
meal sack, but being rolled up only
came down to the forehead, and allow
ed their painted faces yet to be seen.
They received these evidences o
their near approach to death will
evident dislike. When it had beer
adjusted on one or two, they looked
around on the others who had not YET
received it. with an appearance ol
shame. Chains and cords had moi
moved them-their wear was not con
sidered dishonorablc-bu this cover.
ing of the head with white cap, was
hnmiliating. There was no more
singing and but little conversation
and smoking now. All sat around
the room most of them in crouched
position awaiting their doom. in 81
leDce, or listening to the remarks o
Father Ravoux, who still addressed
them. Once in while they brough
their small looking-glasses befor'
their faces, to see that their counte
nances yet preserved the proper modi
cum of paint. The three half-breed,
were the most of all affected, ant
their detection of countenancc wal
truly pitifal to behold.
At precisely 10 o'clock the con
demned were marshalcd in process
sion. and headed by Capt Rediield
marched out into the street, and di
rectly across through files Of soldiers
to the scaffold which had been erected
in froHt, and were delivered to the Of
ficer Of the day. Capt. Burt. The,
went eagerly and cheerfully ever
crowding and jostling each other to b
ahead. Just like a lot Of hungry board
ere rushing to dinner in hotel. Tn
soldiers who were on guard in thei
quarters stacked arms and followet
them, and they in turn were followe.
by the clergy, reporters, &c.
As they commenced the ascent o
the scaffold. the death song was again
started, aud when they had all got VI
the noise they made was truly hideoui
II seemed as If all pandemonium haf
broken loose. It had wonderful eff
feet in keeping up their courage. One
Young fellow. who had been given Q
cigar by one of the reporters, just be-
fore marching from their quarters.
was smoking it on the stand, putting
away very coolly during the intervals
of the hideons Hi-yi-yi," Hi-yi-yi,"
and even after the cap was drawn
over his face, he managed to get it up
~>~nr HE rno.Ah a,,d ~vrcl,n sscHhn.