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

left Col. Baker and all but one company
(Oapt. Edgertons) of the Tenth, in charge
Of the camp, and advanced to plan the pur-
suit. But it was so much scattered
as to be well nigh beyond his control.
Colonel Marshall had left the cavalry
and artillery in the lursh, and with five
companies was pressing on at double Quick,
driving the Indians, to the number Of 900
or 1000, from ridge to ridge for nearly
five miles. On the right, Major Bradley,
with Gil6llan's and Stevens companies OF
the Seventh, and Captain Anderson and
Taylors company, flanked the Indians
after having driven them back with grand
success. The Sixth Regiment, which had
been deployed about the left of the camp,
advanced in skirmish line for five or six
miles, and then returned, as ordered The
cavalry at length took the lead, after the
Seventh had driven the enemy over the
third or summit range, and the artillery
was ordered forward to their support.
Still on went the Seventh at double-quick,
although tagged out by the previous long
march Of the day, and not having had any
thing to eat or drink for nearly twelve
hours, pressing close upon the cavalry.
As the cavalry took the lead, Col. Mar
shall left his line, which did not then re-
quire his presence, and, in accordance with
the desire and permission of Col. cPhail,
led the right of the third battalion of cav
airy. At length the gallant Colonel saw a
chance to make dash and cut off the re-
treat OF party of Indians He called to
the cavalry to follow him. Some followed,
and he got almost within pistol-shot of .
considerable body of Indians. Col. Nc
Phail had led down a ravine to the left,
and had now the entire battalion following
him, properly obeying his order. Col. N.
found himself without support, and was
obliged to retrace his steps from rather
close quarters. He then resumed COM
mand Of his own line. By this time the
artillery came up, and for ten miles the
chase was continued across the prairie.
The Seventh at length halted, and were
bivouacking for the night with the inten-
ton of renewing the pursuit in the morn
ing, when Col. McPhail and the cavalry
returned, in accordance with an order from
the General. Col. Marshall desired to re-
main upon the ground at all events, and
so did Capt. Jones, with the battery,
but Col. McPhail was the ranking officer,
and he considered it best that all should
return, although it seemed unfortunate
indeed to be obliged to lose so much
ground after having reached the rear of
the Indian train and killed a number of
their men. In fact it seemed as though
complete success was fairly at hand. Had
blankets and provisions been sent forward,
so that the men could have remained on
the ground and resumed the pursuit in the
moDning, there is but little doubt that the
entire train could have been overhauled,
and the whole captured. But the General
knew well that his large train must not be
exposed to too much risk, and further,
was at so great distance from the ad-
vancing forces that he was unable after
nightfall, and without information as to
the exact location of the Indian train, to
give decisive orders. Although the chance
Of full success was thus lost, yet there are
many things to be considered before indis-
eliminate judgments are heaped upon Gen.
Sibley. Certain it is that the men and
horses were too completely used up to
have advanced much further the night Of
the pursuit. The coming up with the In
dlans so handsomely, driving such large
number of warriors from hill to hill, was
in itself grand success. Then routing
them from their camps in such haste that
they were obliged to throw away great
amount of their property, and better yet,
killing and wounding number in their
train, altogether formed a successful ter
mination to the first days work
| Tho 49, ho E,hx
were greater than of any other. Be-
sides DR.. Weiser and Lieut.. Freeman
Gan account of whose death is given else
where), privates Stark and Murphy of the
Rangers were killed, and private Hezlep
wounded.
| THE RETURN.
Whatever else may pass from the NOM
cries of the men OF the regiment, | am
qrite sure they can never lose the recol-
lection of the closing experience of that
nights march. With nothing to eat and
mud to drink, they marched almost con-
stantly and much of the time alta double
quick, from Friday morning to Saturday
morning at daylight, making distance Of
over sffty miles, throwing up entrench-
ments and fighting the enemy meantime.
But the hardest of all was the way home
ward, spending good portion of the
night in wandering over the ridges, and
that, too, through the dense darkness
The cavalry became separated, the artil-
lery was not heard from soon after the
start, and the Seventh was in state Of
considerable confusion by reason of wan
derng from the guidance of their Colonel
In the early morning the men saw what
they supposed to be rocket sent up from
camp, and they at once followed on in
that direction, and at daylight all hands
returned to the camp, as worn out and
lame as men could well be. Upon inquiry
it was matter OF surprise to all to learn
that no rocket had been sent up from
camp, 50 that it n.ust have been a me-
teor or falling star which GUIDED the
homeward course SO successfully. At all
events it was lucky star tor the Seventh.
! But each man can himself tell the story
as no pen can describe it. 1t was surely
a night of extreme suffering. In their
morning We buried our dead, and after a
useless attempt at a scare on the part of
the Indians, moved on to another camp
and had short rest.
BOLD DASH AT BUFFALO LAKE.
On Sunday the line of march and pur-
suit was resumed, and before the close of