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

ahead, and the camp was quiet during the
oay' Inc pest news the mail messengers
Drought to the brigade was with regard to
the safety of Mr.. Bracket. He Sent rs
the history OF his sufferings and expe-
perlenceS IN escaping from the enemy.
ana they were quite equal to old
legends OF romance and adventure
After laying in the grass where the In
dian scouts had left him, for several
hours, he at length started forth and wan
dered ten days before reaching the James
river, ten miles distant After this he
struck our trail and managed to sustain
himself till he reach Camp Atcheson on
the |th day of his .journeyings. He was
SO completely exhausted that he was oblig-
ed TO throw away his gun before reaching
camp. We received the news of his fafetV
with enthusiastic cheers. A more detail
ed account of his wanderings will he
worthy of print.
| CAPTURE OF LITTLE CROWS son.
Soon after the expedition left Camp
Atchenson, small force was sent ont nm.
der Capt. Burt to reconnoiter about Dew
IFS Lake. This party succeeded in finding
the Oldest son of Little Grow. He stated
that he had been to the settlements with
his father, and that after his father was kill:
ed he had sought to return to the Indian
camp which he supposed to be near
Devils Lake. He had followed u the
trail OF our train, supporting himself by
the remains left by us from camp to camp.
Little Grow, Jr., was taken prisoner and
escorted to Camp Atcheson, where he is
now rejoicing in confinement. His CAP
ture makes certain the reported death of
his father.
FUTURE MOVEMENTS OF THE EXPEDITION.
1t is not probable that the entire expe-
dition will return home at once. Several
plans are proposed. One is to have the
cavalry left at Fort Abercrombie while
their horses recruit, and meanwhile be in
readiness to pursue any struggling party
of Indians which may venture back from
the Missouri. Abortion of the force may
return as far as Fort Ridgely, and there
await further orders Some, however,
will doubtless return to Fort Smelling,
which place will not be reached much be-
fore the first of October.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
1t is fair that the people of Minnesota
should duly credit the work accomplished
by the expedition in the face of so many
discOuragements. Everything that could
be said against it, was freely uttered. Not
one man in hundred thought we should
see an Indian. Now look at the record.
The whole region of Decotah has been
thoroughly secured, and the banded tribes
of the Sioux, who thought themselves i'm
pregnable among the Missouri hills, have
been overtaken. defeated, and driven in
confusion across the Missouri river It is
not likely they will ever venture back in
any considerable numbers. There may be
few stragglers, but fear will soon drive
these from the frontier, and once settled
elsewhere there will be little danger of their
ever returning to live permanently in
their old resorts. l for one did not ex-
pect that one half would be accomplished
that is now on record.
WHO HAS DONE IT.
A true reporter gives praise where praise
is due, and especially in war reports. The
General, assisted by his staff, Major Brown,
and the faithful scouts, the Colonies, and
in fact all the officers, have done their duty
well and constantly. Too much praise
cannot be bestowed upon Capt Olir, of the
staff. Col. Marshall, all will admit, has
written another bright page for himself in
the history of the Indian war. Capt Davy,
of the Rangers, has shown himself brave
and venturous soldier on several occasions.
Scion Stevens, of the scouts, has made a
goodly reputation for himself. Capt. Jones
has man9uvered his battery with great
success. At the second fight, COL Crooks
led the van right valiantly, as did Col.
Baker at the third. The cavalry have
done most of the killing, and thus bear
home the more trophies Of the campaign.
Both the cavalry and the Sixth advanced
CALAMITY through the suspicious timber
upon arriving at the Missouri. But all
have done finely, and must not say more
in detail. l will, however, remark upon
the skill with which Capt Craig has man
aged tie great transportation of the expe-
dition, and the perfect success with which
Bottineau has guided us day after day
through this almost unknown region.
There have been no laggards, and no cow
ards. Minnesota has no regiment in the
field which she may not depend upon
DEATH OF oHAsKA.
| have to report, before closing this
somewhat desultory letter the sudden
death Of Chaska, one of our Chief Indian
scouts. He died last night after sick
ness of only few minut He has done
noble work for the expedition, and will
long be remember for his faithfulness, sa-
gacity, and loyalty to the whites. 1t was
Chaska, it will be remembered, who saved
the life Of George Spencer during the
troubles of last fall
PAGES AND PICTURES.
| have filled my portfolios with notes
and sketches of the expedition in all its
movements From them l hope to COM
pile sketh-book which may remind many
of the varied experiences of the summer,
as well as of the men and objects of
interest in Minnesota and Dacotah. In
this l shall hope to do credit more
in detail to all who have acted
a part in this tedious journey. For the
present, will add but few lines. |
came from locality in Old Massachusetts,
where the First Minnesota and 18th Mas
sachusetts regiments are always linked
together in anything that is said or writ
ten Of the latter The 18th would hardly
fight beside any other regiment than the
first Minnesota. We are all proud of it.
| have now found that tboro ORC others of