The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-08-12
From SibIey'. Command.

.1nsnEul
From Sibley'- Command.
ii Rable Esq. permits us to print the
following portion of letter just received
from his brother. Capt. Geo. S. Ruble of
the Minnesota Cavalry, attached to Gen.
Sibley's Command.
CAMP HAYS July 10, 1868.
We are cncamped on the big bend of the
Cheyenne river, 200 miles N. w. of Fl.
Ridgley and 1870 from Devils Lake. We
waited here week expecting train from
Fl. Abercrombie with provisions: it came
last night and we move at 8 in the Morn
ms We will hereafter march from 8 to 10
IN the afternoon, thus giving us time to in.
trench each day. We are well into the en-.
emies country although think there are
| but few Indians near here and those are
merely spies. But two have been seen in
this region: last night two of my men
went out to cut grass On wet piece of
ground, the uplands being all burnt off
by the drouth and the savages; one Of the
men, David CALVIN strolled off some dis.
lance and presently saw two objects which
he took to be buffalo, making toward the
river: he ran to head them off and the
first thing he knew he was within 40 rods
of two naked Indians armed with guns
his gun being left with the team he played
strategy; hating suddenly he turned his
head toward the direction he had come, and
shouted loudly for the ''Boys to como on
with the guns" although "the boys" were
mile OFF, The red skins ran like devils
for the woods, and Calvin came to the team
in as hasty manner as two legs usually
carry a man.
This is one of the great Buffalo ranges
they are scarce here now, owing doubtless
to the drouth. The uplands are all dried
up-the marshes and small streams are
nearly all in the same fix The Cheyenne
is usually large enough for a good sized
steamer, but now you can cross it in any
places without going over shoc-top. This
valley is beautiful but it lacks timber
There are Buffalo, Elk and Antelope, as
we'll az any amount of Beaver, Otter, Mink,
and other furred animals. Our boys have
killed several Buffalo and Elk, but the An
telope is rather too fast for them. Our
General has now forbidden the firing Of
guns except at the enemy, and this checks
hunting; it is good order, for the men
would shoot away all the ammunition before
they get where it may be essential to have
it, 49,.
Our prospects, Henry, are not fattering
First do not think the Indians will ever
stop to give US battle. Second, they are
burning all the grass they can to prevent US
from following them. On account Of the
drouth and because much Of this country
was not burnt last fall the fire runs aw.
fully end sweeps every thing before it
Such laads as would not burn last spring
on account Of water are now dry and they
are the only localities which promise much
feed at present and you will readily sup
pose that our immense train of over four
thousand animals require considerable for
rage. The prospect now is that we will
be left at Devils Lake a few months, pro-
vidcd we can get there.
The place we are now at is an old Indian |
Battle ground In 1886 the Sioux and the |
Mandans had severe fight h.re resulting |
in victory to the Sioux. There is also an
old fertilization two miles below but even |
the oldest Indians in this region are entire
ly ignorant Of when or by whom it was
built. 1t has very ingenious and well pann
ed earth works. the ditch is yet about |
feet wide and two deep. There must have
been quite village here at one time, but at
what time or what stock Of people inhabi-
ted it Is now left to the merest conjecture
y X
Gro s Ry-pIp