The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-10
THE SAM GATY BUTCHERY.
Terrible Guerilla DiabOlism.
SCENES OF MURDER AND PLUNDEI

On Monday we published short ac-
count by telegraph of the seizure of the
steamboat Sam Gatty at Sibley's Landing,
on the Missouri river, which was accom-
panied by outrages of the most barbarous
and inhuman character. We are indebted
to the Leavenworth Times for the sub
Joined details:
The steamer Sam Gatty, which arrived
at our levy on Sunday evening, reports
that she was stopped at Sibley, on Satur-
day morning last, by band of from forty
to sixty bushwhackers, supposed to be
portion of the gang under Todd or Guam
trell, though at the time of the outrage in
question, in command of a man named
Clifford. AS the boat was passing Slbley
the pilot was hailed and ordered to run
ashore, under penalty of shooting, and be-
ing within few yards of the landing he
had no other alternative but to obey.
As the boat touched the shore she was
almost Immediately boarded and taken
possession Of by the guerillas, who reused
the captain from his berth-it being then
about two O'Clock in the morning-and in
formed him that he was for the time being
a prisoner. About eighty contrabands be-
ing on the boat, they were ordered ashore,
the bushwackers being surprised to find so
small number, as they had been informed
that there were three hundred; and they
expected to find with them "ParsonFisher,
and threatened to burn the boat within
fifteen minutes unless he was produced;
but, being apparently satisfied with the
captains assurance that the ParsOn was
not on board, they did not execute the
threat. The captain informed them that
the contrabands were in charge Of pri-
vate soldier, who could not be found
When the negroes were marched ashore
the captain asked the guerilla leader what
he intended to do with them. He replied
elbow their brains QUIT" The captain re-
monstrated with him, and finally he con-
Guided to kill only the "bucks," and forth
with eight or ten were murdered-the rest
scattering and hiding in the darkness.
There were on board eight of the Missouri
militia of McFarren's regiment and
six of Pennick's. The guerillas paroled the
former, and killed two and wounded one of
the latter, three escaping. The bushwackers
hands. They then proceeded to throw
overheard some forty-eight wagon beds,
and from forty to seventy-tive sacks Of
flour and rice that belonged to the Govern
ment.
They robbed every man on board, and
the safe, which contained about 5000.
One gentleman had some 5000 or $500
taken from him. The boat had a very
large cargo, but it was not disturbed.
Mr.. Wilson, who had charge of the ne
gros, had narrow escape. Before they
came aboard, man told him to throw
overheard his coat, lay down and be COW
cred uhwith a lot of castings, which he
did. He is resident of Kansas. One of
Penick's men was taken for him and
killed.
The action of Captain McCloy is warmly
commended by passengers, and all are sat
isfied that he did the best he could under
the trying circumstances in which he was
placed The guerilla leader said he had
followed him from Napoleon; he expected
the boat would land there, but it did not !;
he had sure thing on him at Sibley. The
guerrillas compelled the Captain to leave
before daylight, being afraid he would take
the negroes on board again.
On reaching independence the Captain
made the fact known, and Col. Penick i'm
mediately gave his attention to the matter,
and so successfully that nearly all the con-
trabands will escape, as is telegraphed from
that port to Capt. Killen.
The following is the detail of the
Court for the trial of COL D'Utassy: Maj.
Gen. Hitchcock, Maj. Gen. Hartsuff,, Brig.
Gen. Barry, Brig. Gen. Hatch, Brig Gen.
Hupl-c Col Marshall 18th Now York