Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1863-04-18
DAKOTA CORREsPONpENC OF
THE REGlST ER...No. ~.
d--Indidns-.D Dakota Cdralry-The
Eapedition-S Settlements, DC, dc.

$3.50
be plucked from the Rocky Mountains
without labor. The gold fever is spreading
with alarming contagian, and to the many
hundreds who are preparing their outfit
for an overland trip to Wind River, I
would utter this warning: Remember that
sloth, intemperance and dissipation will
make a man poor even in garden of
gold; while labor, frugality and diligence
will hammer fortune from the sparkling
grain Of a mountain rock. A company of
miners intend starting for the mines, |
am told, about the middle Of May, by the
overland route from the Mouth Of the
Running Water. They expect to reach
the gold fields in about thirty days, with
OK teams; and portion of them will re.
turn in the Fall for winter supplies.
The opening of this short thoroug hfare
to the northern mines will serve as gate
way through which will be poured an i'm
mense trade into Southern Dakota and
Northern Iowa. This trade and travel, at
present, all passes by the circoitous route
of Salt Lake City round to the Missouri
With the approach Of Spring aud the
appearance of grass, our settlers begin to
fear the knife of the redman. Some Of
the James river farmers were in town yes-
terday, considerably frightened, and re.
ported the discovery of six lodges of In.
dams encamped on Clay Creek, about
eleven miles from this place. A number
OF ponies were seen feeding around the
encampment. A squad of horscmen have
this morning left town in search of them.
| am of opinion, however, that they are a
band of friendly Ianktons, with their
families, on a fishing excursion, for the
reason that a small war party never goes
encountered with tepas.
Several scouts sent out by Maj Burleigh
have returned, and report large encamp.
ment Of the Minnesota murierers, at Sioux
Falls, within sixty miles of the Territorial
Capital, and eighty miles from the Brig.
Generals Head Quarters.
l understand that Gen Cook has dis.
patched an order to Fort Randall for
CAPT Miners Cavalry to proceed immedi-
a,ely with guides aud Interpreters to the
Indians encampment and demand them to
surrender or fight They will not accede
to the first request, but will probabfy fight
or flee before the cavalry are within a
days march Of them.
Sioux Falls is like Millions mes. of
hell hounds" and unless cleaned out and
guarded with soldiers, it will always be a
thorn in the side of the Territory, mas
much as it is a safe and iavorite retreat
for nurderous bands Of Santees, who have
been accustomed to annually assemble
there to fish and hunt and to gather pipe.
stone from the great red quarry which by
the bride path, is only few hours ride
from the Falls.
We are encouraged to learn from your
last issue that Gen. Cook intends to guard
the settlements with an Pile force against
the lnroaus of the savAges, while his main
body invades the redman's country. In
my former letter | stated that FIVE comra,
MES OF cavalry or ten of infantry could
protect the entire Territory. Two compan.
les should be stationed at Sioux Falls to
hold that place and guard the mail route
to the Missouri. One company at Yank.
ton and James River ferries. One Com.
pany at Nermilion and Clay Creek one
at Brnle Creek and Sioux Point; one at
Bon Homme and Choeau Creek, and the
rest at the Agency and Fort Randall,
making ten companies of infantry.
l presume all the cavalry will be needed
with the expedition, but at least ten horse.
men should be left at each of the above
points to act as scouts and picket guards.
This may be considered an extravagant
and needless protection, but will stake
my right arm, that if there is any fighting
with the Indians in Dakota this summer,
it will take place at Sioux Falls or James
river instead Of on the northern plains.
There are only two places in the Ter
rltory where our cavalry and citizens we're
attacked last season. A, tie former place
one Indian was killed and three wounded
by Capt. Miner men aud two citizens
we're shot dead in the field; while on
James river eleven horses were stolen
during the summer and one Of the owners
shot at while standing in the door of his
own cabin. This same war party, on the
next day, attacked squad of cavalry from
fankton and exchanged some thirty shots
but without effect.
The long, deep and rugged valleys of the
Sioux and James rivers afford hidden
passage through which the red warriors
can sku1k and pounce in upon the settle.
ments almost unperceived until they stand
at our very doors. Gen. Cook, YOU assure