St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-06-11

: = ~. p II Z ~ EH = ft' "
cry quarter section. This district IS prih-
cipai!y settled by Canadian French 81 !
Passing this, Six Mile Prairie is soon
rea,-hed, and il, short time the flag of
Fo;t Ripley, still some three miles in ad-
vaice, is seen waving above the surround
trees, and isgrcetcd with "a cheer for
OH. banner" -
As we. near the river and drive up to
the ferry--the Fort being in the west
sias--a half dozen Indians are seen
cronched among the bushes, watching the
movements Of the party. Always hide
oussl looking creatures, they seemed more
repnlsiye than ever before, as their greasy
facss and matted hair appeared among the
green leaves. The contrast was too strik-
ing-the purity Of Nature and the filth
of-Man ?Sano-the animal !, kingdom,
Crossing toRthe other side we were soon
in the Fort, and welcomed by Lieut.. Col.
Rogers, commandantsof the post, and Capt.
Doan, whose guests We were during our
stay. "a. ~ ID !: \. -. = !, p ,...:.. + !.
Hhe Port is built .oa the north, south
ana west, thcaeast facing the river. En-.
terog the gate e-way on the north side,
you find yourself in a portion built this
spriog, the enclosure containing about two
acres. On the west side are new quarters
! capable Of accommodating four companies.
The palisades of this portion arc Nor
va Pine logs, averaging from fifteen ia:
cbss to two feet in diameter, placed up
right, four feet being sunk in The ground
ana about twelve feet remaining above
These defanses were commenced qBy" Cot
Thomas and continued by Lieut.. Colonel
R'.sers. =, They will be. completed in few
days to the rivers edge. Passing across
t';ss, about twenty-five rods from the en-,
~ 1870 r. ;shet .h a
Fort, before the Indian difficulties COM
menccd. Here palisades stretch horizon
tally from the river to the west side.-
Within is larade ground Of about one
acre, On the north and south Of which
are the officers quarters, and Oh the west
quarters for two companies Of men. These
were built in lS49 by Ca pt (now Maj.
GEN. Dana, and the officers quarters are
furnished off in style equal to many fine
residences. Outside the palisades, to the
southwest, are stables for the horses, be-
ing protected by a block-house. There are
in all four OF these block-houses, placed so
as to command all approaches to the Fort,
and arranged for artillery and rifemen
The entire space occupied and inclosed is
abeut six acres.
The garrison at present consists of one
company Of infantry, Co. G, 9Th Regt ,
Capt. Folsom, of Saltwater, and detach-
ment Of Co. G, LIST NJ. NJ. r., Capt. Hen
derson. -
There are also: four pieces of artillery,
under charge Of Lieut.. nillier.
Most of the men of Capt. Folsom's S com.
pany, have their families at the Fort, and
from this it is called "Stillwater No. g."
There are said to be but three unmarried
men at the post, and they are "wecping
and refuse to be comforted because they
are not" Capt. Geo. p. Doan, @. NJ, is
stationed at the Fort.
AT about ten clock on the evening of
our arrival while walking across the pa
rade ground to Capt: Doan's quarters, the
dull, monstonous sound Of the Indian
drum, Yves borne; to our ears from the
camp down the river, giving evidence
that a.dance Of some kind was in progress.
Heard in the distance, there is a strange
fascina alton in the steady: unchanging
beat that marks the time to the dance.
G The next forenoon the party, accompa-
MED by a number of ladies and gentlemen
from the Fort and Grow Wing, started to
|Spring Lake, about four miles distant, for
a sail and picnic. This lake is about two
miles long and one mile wide. The sail
boat was got in; trim and managed admi-
rably by Commodore Morgan, an old salt
who has .cruised for dozen years in the
Mediterranean. The whole party, eight
cen in all, being safely shipped, the Com
modore ''tacked 'taround in various direc-
tious for two or three hours, and then set
sail for the cast side Of lake. When
nearing the shore we came upon conple
of Indians seated ip canoe. ,fsking.-
Both seemed 1T subjects for any one in