The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-30


neither by firing nor by whooping, stam-
pede could be effected, and discovered that
the wagons and horses were so arranged
around the camp that they could not
storm it without exposing themselves to
the fire of our troops while they were
climbing into camp, they concluded the
attempt would be too hazardous, and re-
tired to the timber.
Major BRowN-according to the state
ment made to us a few days after by an
intelligent participation in the affair."
on his feet at the first fire, and instantly
comprehended all the dangers of the posi-
ton of his command. His first step was
to urge the guard and others, as they seiz-
ed their arms, to return the fire of the In
dams with rapidity. ''Boys, don't let
them approach give the red devils hell ="
was his admonition, as he moved from one
part of the camp to another, to assure
himself that the horses were safe, and o
stampede improbable. 'sFor a short time,
perhaps minute Or two, the firing was
all on the side of the Indians, writes the
Adjutant General. This was during the
attempt to stampede the horses, and con-
fuse our forces but they failed in both,
and the promptness and rapidity with
which their fire was returned, taught them
that prudence was the better part of valor,
and induced them to withdraw to the
woods
Twice during the heavy firing from the
Indians, Major Brown was saved by horses,
and at one and the same time man was
shot on each side of him, and horse in
his front; yet he continued to watch the
operations of the men, and was engaged
in placing a portion of Captain GRANTS
company in greater safety, and where
their fire could be more effective, when he
was struck By ball in the back part of
the neck, which touched the spine, and
brought him to the ground senseless. He
was then removed to the hospital tent by
Lieuts. SWAN and PATCH, where he re-
manned few minutes, until consciousness
was restored. AS soon as he was himself.
he returned, and superintendent the con-
struction Of rifle pits, which the withdrawal
OF the Indians rendered practicable. Of
these pits the Adjutant General writes:
Shortly after sunrise, the troops commenced
the excavation of rile-pits Immediately inside
of the line of dead horses. But small sup
ply OF mtrenching tools were to he had as
there were but one pick and three spades in the
camp. The men. however, worked with will
using bayonets, knives, and tin pans, in lieu of
better implements. The ground was hard and
difficult of excavation; but, Notwithstanding
this, and the necessity of retaining their per
sons in such positions as afforded the least pos
slble exposure to the view of the savages
thereby greatly impairing the effectiveness of
their labor they soon had constructed an
available line of pits, Of an aggregate length of
two hundred feet.
Here, again, are the services of Major
BRowN ignored. These pits were the sug-
gestion of the Majors experience in Indian
warfare, and were constructed under his
Immediate supervision; and, when com
pleted, made his position capable of re ist-
ing the assault Of thousand Indians
Major Brown was in the rihe-pits from
the time they were commenced until the
command was relieved by Col. SIBLEy,
constantly urging the men, and watching
the operations of the Indians, who con-
tinued to fire upon the camp, though with
out doing other damage than killing the
horses
Can Adjutant General MALMEos give
any reason for the violation of military
courtesy displayed in his narrative of the
battle Of Birch Coolie? Major BROWN
was in command Of the expedition, and
did all that could be done in carrying out
the objects for which it was sent forward
He had made a close examination during
the day of the country lately occupied by
the Indians, and had every reason TO- be-
lieve that they had all left. He was cor
rect at the time of his Reconnaissance as
there were no Indians then encamped be-
tween Grow Village and Yellow Medicine.
The force that surprised him were bound
to different section of the country. They
discovered his camp by accident, and de-
termined to attack it the next morning.
The vigilance and precautions Of Major
Brown prevented them from succeeding
in their designs, while his courage and
self-control enabled him to get his COM
mand almost instantly in position of de-
fence; and in short time afterwards, the
savages being repulsed, were compelled
to withdraw to the cover of the timber.
The defence of his camp was complete,
although his men suffered severely,
during the first few minutes of the
attack. Colonel SIBLEY openly attributed
to the GOODNESS, courage, and pre-
cautions of Major BROWN, the saving OF
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