The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-08-12
PUSHES, Is well IS the smooth grass inside,

about 400 yards of the camp when they were
hailed and asked who they were and what they
wanted at that time of night. They replied
they were Sioux and wished to come to our
camp. They were told that no one could be ss
allowed to come to the camp at night, and If
they continued to approach they would be
Up to this time nothing unusual had been
seen on the hill north of and nearest to the
camp but when the horsemen stated In loud
voice that they had been threatened to be fired
upon if they continue to approach the camp,
in an instant, and as If by magic, the hill was
covered by horsemen.
This sight was for from agreeable as there
were in view over two hundred mounted In
dams, prepared, as we supposed, to make de.
termined attempt to take tue camp.
converse Ion now ensued, when we were
told that there were already many Indians pre-
sent, and that these would soon be joined by
large numbers from beyond the lake, and we
would then learn who thev were and what they
to the camp ct night without being fired upon,
let their numbers be great or small.
About this time the five horsemen again be-
gan to advance upon the camp. Large num-
beers were seen descending the hill. and the In.
dians' war whoop came from all directions.
Satisfied that rush upon the camp was in
tended and would be made in few minutes,
IL uCClSlVC hCtsSuiCo WCIC uOG uuOPeCOs L uO
termined to act promptly, let the consequences
be what they might. ..f.-..I ~
knew they were presuming upon our mum.
bers, and that they expected to take
us without loss, and with but lit
tie trouble. And knew, also, that
If they were hostile Yanctonias, their
plans would be disconcel ted by a few shots at
horsemen (whO had continued to advance slow
ly) that it they advanced any nearer would
certainly fire upon them. The response was
the war whoop closely followed by an order
to fire, and the report of every carbine, the
scouts firing about the same time with COM
mendable rapidity. Our fire was returned by
the Indians for short time in good style al
though at long range-some of their balls
going over US, but most of them falling short.
One ball only struck our rifle pits. In an in
creditable short time after the first gun was
fired the fiat was clear of Indians. and we had
the satisfaction 10 learn, by seeing them de-
part. that some fifty or sixty mounted Indians
had been stationed within five hundred yards
of camp, ready to rush in as soon as the signal
should be given They did not move as care
fully and secretly in returning from as they had
in getting on toi it, .,la'.s a1
As the Indians withdrew we ceased firing,
and just then the advance of q large body of
men on h)rseback along the south side of the
lake became perez ctible. They advanced with
yells. but the war whoOp was seldom heard
among them. As this party approached the
east end of the lase near the hill they were
urged by the other Indians to keep up north
and not go near the camp, as the people there
are foes. They have fired upon us, and will
fire upon you if you go near them. .r
Another talk was inaugurated. The Indians
asked who we were, where we came from and
where We were going. They were informed,
and they then told us they were Yanktous and
friends of the whites, that many of them were
in the employ of Gen. Sully, and that they had
some troops and Interpreters in their camp by
his order, and they were surprised they should
have been fired upon by Americans. They
were told they were not following the
orders and instructions of General Sully
when attempting to get into my camp at night,
and that when they acted toward me as bad
as bad Indians. That if they had white men
with them. to send one of them to my camp
and would receive him but that no Indians
could come even after saying they were in the
employ of Gen. Sully.
1t was now daylight. and In a short time an
iDter prefer, named Louis Agar, approached
and was permitted to enter the camp. He
and told him to call forward the Chiefs who
had papers from Gen Sully who stood at a
short distance with white flag and severa
came to camp, the body of Indians who at.
tempted to follow them being kept at a dis
lance until after the papers had been examined.
With but little subsequent negotiations peace.
full relations were established and friendship
reigned.
There were abont 425 lodges. say 500 men,
many of them armed with Springfield rifles,
which accounts for the balls passing over us
at the long range at which they fired. They
said they mistOOk US for Missouri Indians come
to steal horses, but as the discovery of our
trail by some Young men who had been out
hun,iDg in the afternoon was the first intima-
ton they had of our being in the country. 1
cannOt credit them with such mistake, Mis-
souri, Indians would moi come to steal horses
with wagons and carts in their train.
The TACT is as l figure it: they knew we
were whites, and although they did not intend
nything serious in regard to u.s. they intend
ed to surprise and capture Us, and thereby 90.
tain such articles as they desired from
our supplies. This idea is sustained by their
dividing ut the foot of the lake. those
passing up the south side being intend
ell to represent another camp. In their
first conversation they said nothing about being
enplo! ed by the government, or having any
connection with it. A few Burnside cartridges
brought that iacL 10 their minds
During their stay in camp, which was but
short, Us wished to move forward and did not
wish them in calrp wnile I was loading and
were polite in their requests for caps, watches,
&C., and oh, dent when told not to approach
nor touch any article. T.ey &C ed very differ
emily from The usual habits of the prairie In
dams. When they departed they appe ,red TO
be somewhat in doubt as 10 the object rs well
as the result at their nocturnal expedition.
Although affairs ut one lime looked serious,
and the prospect of Il ght with large mum
her OF Indians SO clear rs to be rat her sagree-
able to contemplate the result afforded much
satisfaction hy demonstrating the sterling
metal of The men had with me. At the most
tying moment when called apOD to open fire
upon host OF Indi.n We oil deemed b 'stile.
and the firing of u ball supposed to open fight
the result Of wi ich might BIZ the death of every
member of our little party, there was no
WaverlGg Every MN appeared cool aud col
lected, waiting for and OOeying orders like vet.
erin troops long subject TO military discipline.
Ihey hat conf ience 10 our pO>iti IN. in the
8 reng'h Of our d, fences in the arms they had
ana IN their ab lily to keep at a respectful dia.
lance the poorly armed prairie Indians We were
about to eiigage They look no note of the dis
parity u Numbers IN The c nlest. They had
ia o"* - no thought hut how to kill ~
~ 'E5 Iva ut a blow Poo, ..,aaiaq.,jai
With such men it Is safe travel. 01o. 10 aio
g'..go>' .a;s.l The Crops, ai ~.