The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-24
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.
The Indian Attack on WatOnWan.


We learn that the Indians did not at
tack the stockade erected by the soldiers,
and that the soldier killed was sleeping in
a house some distance from it. One of
the men wounded was also at the house
with the one who was killed. The soldiers
under Lieut.. HARDY, went out to the re-
lief of the settlers, and one of the sold
iers was wounded while out, but his wounds
are not considered dangerous. 1t is be-
lieved the same party of Indians will not
venture to attack the military posts, but
the next news from them will be of
more murders in some of the distant set
Elements. Capt. MIX, with party Of
mounted men, is in pursuit of the Indians.
A detachment of cavalry was sent from
Fort Ridgley, up the Cottonwood,
few days previous, and it is hoped they will
find the Indians. We extract the follow
ing particulars of the Indian attack, from
the Mankato Record Of Saturday:
We learn that the man killed was shot
by arrows, two being found in his body.
The detachment on the south branch of
the Watonwan consisted Of twenty-one
men Of company E, Seventh regiment,
under command of Lieut.. Hardy.
Immediately upon receipt of the intelli-
gence, Col. Miller ordered the cavalry de-
tachment here, to proceed at once to the
settlement attacked, followed by two COM
panies of infantry, G, Capt Williston,
and X, Capt Carter, the whole under
command of Lieut. Col. Marshall and Mai.
Bradley.
A Surgeon was also ordered to Madelia,
to take charge of the wounded.
Since writing the above we have con-
versed with Mr.. E. W. Durand, the mes
senger who brought the above intelligence.
He says the news reached Madelia about
three O'Clock, when the garrison was inn
mediately aroused, and reinforcements un-
der Lieut.. White sent out. Mr.. D. left
Madeila about four o'clock reaching here
about seven.
The settlement attacked is situated on
the South branch of the Watonwan river,
detachment of company E. were engag-
ed in erecting a stockade, only half COM
pleted at the time of the attack. The at
tack was made about five O'Clock on
Thursday morning.
A Norwegian woman was wounded
receiving ball through her thigh.
Some of the soldiers were sent out, as
soon as the alarm was given, to collect the
settlers. One went to house and found
woman. While running with her to the
stockade, they were pursued by Indians,
who gained on them rapidly. The woman
could not run fast, and the Indians APP
preached so close that the soldier left her
to save herself. The woman was over
taken by the Indians, who beat her over
the head with their guns. She finally
succeeded in reaching the stockade.
A settler on the south branch had gone
out fishing the morning of the attack, and
as he had not returned when the messen-
ger left, it was supposed that he had been
Overtaken by the Indians and killed.
The Indians stole two horses belonging
to NOrwegians, and one owned by the
Government. These seemed to be the
only horses in the possession Of the In
dams, who were afoot Their number
was variously estimated-not less than
fifty, and varying as high as one hundred.
In consequence of the loss fall the hor-
ses in the settlement, the messengers were
compelled to walk to Madelia, which de-
layed the intelligence reaching that point
as early as it otherwise would have done.
At the time the messengers left the
south branch, the Indians had withdrawn,
having gone in westerly direction.
A soldier named Ole Erickson, Nor
wegian, was killed-shot with arrows.
Jas. Small, another soldier, was wounded
shot through the arm. A Norwegian
belonging to same company was a'so
wounded.
A boy aged about eight years old, was
killed. These were all the killed and
wounded at the time the messenger left
the south branch.
DIR. Smith, assistant surgeon Of the Sew
enth, was sent out to take charge Of the
wounded.