Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-08-20
From the Ninth Wisconsin Battery.
Correspondence of the State Journal.
CAMP OF THE 9TH Wis. BATTERY,)
Near Council Grove, Kan,
Thursday, Aug 4th, IS641

Correspondence of the State Journal.
CAMP OF THE 9TH WIS. BATrERY,)
Near Council Grove, Kan,
Thursday, Aug. 4tb, Is64.)
For TIE past two weeks we have had quite
exciting times. Four nations of Indians,
viz: the Cheyennes, ArrapahOes, Kihawas
and Utes, have been committing depreda-
tiOns along the Santa Fe route west of this
place, upon the stages and teamsters, and
have killed some twenty-five persons, and
driven off some six or seven hundred head of
mules and horses. In one instance, at the
crossing of Cow Greek, they attacked train
of fifty government teams. The wagon mas
ter had corralled his teams, that is, formed
his wagons in two lines some thirty feet
apart, so as to use them as a protection
against the arrows. About eight hundred
Indians made an attack on the train about
daylight ON the morning of the 23d of July.
They came up apparently friendly enough,
and were allowed to come into the corral
They shook hands, and commenced shooting
their arrows at the same time. Had it not
been for the timely aid of squad of the 18th
Kansas Cavalry, numbering thirty -four. every
man would have been murdered, and the
train gObbled up. As it was, fifteen men
were killed and wounded, all the mules driv-
en- off, and three wagon loads of -four taken.
Two men that were supposed by the Indians
to be dead, we're scalped. They afterwards
revived, and are now in Fort Larned still
alive. One of them is a boy only thirteen
years old. The poor Little fellow was wound
ed thirteen times with arrows, and his head
afterwards completely skinned all over, not
one hair left The surgeon SAYS he has some
little hopes of his recovery.
The following / clip from the Council
Grove Press:
On last Saturday night, the Esd inst, the
news came to this place that the Indians had
made a raid into Cottonwood Crossing, about
forty-fve miles west of here, killing num-
Der of teamsters, and capturing some seven
or eight hundred head of horses and mules
belonging to freighters and the stage compa-
ny, and threatening a descent upon the set
Elements. Also, news that government
train was surrounded by the Indians at the
crossing of Cow Greek, lis miles west of this
place. All communication being cut off be-
tween this and Fort Larned, and the Indians
being in great force in that vicinity, fears
were entertained of the utter humiliation of
the garrison. On the same evening, Capt.
Dodge, commanding at this post, received Or
ders from Gen. Curtiss to dispatch one Sec
ton of the 9th Wis. Battery, and as many of
the cavalry as were armed and mounted from
the company stationed at this place, to re-
port at Salina on Sunday evening, which was
promptly responded to by Capt. Dodge, and
the little expedition left Sunday morning un-
der command of Lieut.. Ellington, of the 9th
Wis. battery.
1.-THE citizens taking into consideration the
suffering condition of the besieged train,
were, as they ever are when they can do any
thing for suffering humanity, taking active
measures to raise a volunteer force to COOP
crate with Capt. Dodge, with the remaining
section of his battery, in opening the road
and if possible relieve the besieged train at
Cow Greek. All necessary preparations were
made, and the order to march was given
about midnight. The officers of both the
militia and enlisted men stationed here are
highly commendable for their zeal and eff
cient measures taken by them"
The centre section of the battery returned
to camp on the 30th, having been out as far
as the Little Arkansas. They saw no Indians
on or near the road. If they had they might
have had some fun, for Capt. Dodge gave or
ders to fire on the first Indians they saw after
they got ont on the plains. The right Sec
ton, under Lieut.. Ellington, has not yet re-
turned, though they are daily expected
They went up to Fort Larned
Capt Dodge mas received orders to build a
block-house as defense against the Indians
at Cottonwood Springs. This morning the
right detachment of the centre section, to-
gether with company G of the 7th Iowa cav
airy, left camp for that place.
There has been great excitement at Coun-
ell Grove. On the 26th inst the citizens
we're informed that the Utes were coming in
on the old Klaus trail, which was between the
roads that the two sections of the battery had
taken. The most intense excitement prevail
ed Stores were closed and all business sus-
pended. Twenty-Five men only were left in
camp. 1t would have done you good to see
how the Copperheads did love "Lincoln's
hirelings" when they thought the Indians
were coming to destroy their town. Why a
soldier was as good as a citizen then.
Yesterday Lieut.. Heliwell's lady was at the
river washing some clothes, when a Klaus
came along and took them from her. She
told the Indian there was some soldiers down
the river. He dropped the clothes and went
and saw it was only some little boys at play,
when he returned, took them and started of.