The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-02
THE MOUNTED RANGERS.
Report Of Col. Samuel IMcphail.

HrApoUAETEgs FIRST REGIMENT MINI. NJ. r.,
In CAMP ON THE PLAINS, August s, 1868. s
Briga6ier General n. II. tII:rfY Commanding Ec-
7'editionG,y Forces:
GENERAL: On the 21st Of July. 1863, pursuant to
your order to recover the body of DR. j. S. Weiser
Surgeon of tue First Minnesota Mounted Rangers,
murdered by the Indians prOcee1ed to the hills in
the rear of Camp SiOlcy, with Companies and d of
my regiment. When some five hundred yards from
camp, We were fired upon by the indians occupying
the summit of the hill. | Immediately ordered Com
pany A, under Capt. 4. NJ. Wilson, to advance and
nre upon the enemy, which was done in good style
Inc ground being rocky and broken, Companies A,
and q We're ordered to dismount and skirmish the
hil Companies B and +, under Majo Hays and
GSmpany l. under Capt Davy, were to support them.
In lfst battalion under Major Parke, cleared the
MIL and drove the Indians some two miles followed
by Companies and 4, mounted Here met Lieu
tenant Colonel W. r. Marshall of the Seventh
Minnesota Volunteers, and requested Rim to protect
my right flank, which he did in gallant style Major
Parker was then ordered to rally the Companies of
his battalion, and prepare to engage the enemy
mounted. then moved forward of the skirmishers
with Companies and f, and ordered charge upon
the enemy, posted on the highest peak If the range
known as the Big Hills. This order as promptly
obeyed the Indians were dislodged from their posi-
ton and driven towards the plains west of the hills
While descending the hill, ordered another CHARGE
by Company B. unoer Capt Austin. While in the
act of carrying out this order, was instantly
killed by lgh ming, and others seriously injured
This Occasioned a momentary confusion Order
was, however soon restored, anu we pushed the
enemy from their positions the hills and in the
ravnes on our front to the plains below hen Or
dered rally. Companies A, l. Il and L assembled
and we pushed forward upon the Indians who had
taken refuge behind few rude and hastily con-
structed entertainments in their encampment from
which they were quickly dislodged and a running
fight commenced At this juncture, Lieut. John
Whipple of the Third Minnesota Battery, reached
us with one six-pounder, his horses entirely given
out in consequence of which he could only give the
flying en- my two Shots which apparently threw them
into still greater confusion. | then again ordered
the charge which was kept up until we had reached
at east fifteen miles from the irst point of attack
and during which we drove them from their conceal
ment in the rushes and wild rice of Dead Buffalo
Lake by ldirC cted voley from the deadly car
bines and ran int their lines five times continuing
the fight till nearly dark, when Companies H. D and
u arrived, and l received your order to return to
Camp Sibley at the Big Hills. Some time having
been consumed in collecting our wounde6@ and pro-
yiding transportation for them, attempted to re-
turn, and only succeeded in reaching camp A. M.
on the morning of the 25th having in the darkness,
been unable to preserve our co rse and having been
in the saddle twenty -four hours, without guide, pro-
visions, or water. The number Of Indians engaged
could not have been less than one thousand and
would doubtless reach one thousand five hundred
warriors The losses of my regiment including
skirmish on Sunday evening the 26th, at Dead
Buffalo Lake. are as follows: