The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-07
CAPT. FISk'S EXPEDITION.
His Party Attacked by Indians.
Rear Guard Overpowered and Slain
Sully Sends a Force to His Assist
ance.-.Lfst of Casualties.

As the letter of our own correspondent
has been delayed, we print below the &C
count given by the Press correspondent
of the misfortunes which have overtaken
the expedition of Capt. FISK:
NORTHWESTERN INDIAN ExpEDITIoN,(
= -a Fort RICE, Sept. 10, 1864.
On arriving here, we learn that Captain
Fisk, A. Q. NJ, in charge of the Idaho
train, had been attacked by large body
of Indians about $50 miles west from
here, and that he had been obliged to halt,
and had sent for troops to save his train
from destruction. / have tried to give the
facts, knowing that many of your readers
will be- anxious to hear. l will give them
as related to me by ithe messenger, sent
back by Capt. Fisk. About three weeks
since he left here, taking General Sully's
trail. He was escorted to the east side
of the river from Fort Ridgely by Go. l,
I'd Minnesota Cavalry. He crossed the
river and made demand upon Col. Dill,
3Oth Wis. Vol, commanding Fort Rice,
for an escort. Col. Dill said he had not
the troops to send, and tried to persuade
Capt. Fisk not to 60 west until he heard
from Gen. Sully. Capt. Fisk said he could
get through without troops, but some of
the emigrants were anxious to have few
so as to quiet the "old ladies among his
party" The Colonel, finding he was bound
to go, gave him fifty mounted men from
the number left by General Sully. With
this force he started, followed Gen. Sully's
trail for five days, and then struck west
towards the mouth of Big Horn river.
He had marched twelve days, when
suddenly party of ninety Indians at
tackled his rear guard, which was a mile
from the main train. Two wagons were
Immediately in front of the guard, and in
these wagons were some guns and 400
rounds of ammunition. The Indians made
such sudden dash, and the guard not be-
ing on the alert, both wagons were cap
tured, and both teamsters and all the guard
but one were killed. Capt. Fisk closed
his train and kept on bis march until he
found water and went into camp. He
should have remained, but next morning
he resumed his march and was attacked by
an increased force. He kept on his course
and again camped. Sunday morning he
left camp and had not marched but few
miles before the hills on every side were
covered with Indians. The country was
rough, and soon he had to halt. Capt.
Fisk corralled the train, and the men threw
up intrenchments. The Indian force was
hourly receiving reinforcements, and it was
wise that he halted, but it would have been
wiser still if he had corralled where there
was water and wood, and before he had
left camp.
Capt. Fisk called for volunteers to come
back to Fort Rice for helps Lieut.. Smith
and fourteen soldiers undertook the dam
ger0us trip, and came out that night dur
ing rain storm, and after riding three
days and three nights, reached the Fort.
Capt. Fisk said he could hold out twenty
days, but must have help. Lieut.. Smith
did not learn the names of the killed, but
says quite number of the emigrants
were wounded during Fridays and Satur:
days fight. The Indians were using the
long range guns taken from the rear
guard.
Gen. Sully Immediately ordered force
out for bio relief. Col. Dill, of the 3Oth
Wisconsin, with 400 infantry, 800 cavalry
and two howitzers leave thi evening.
They will reach Rainy Butte, where he is
encamped, in abont five days, and Colonel
Dill has orders to bring the emigrants
back.
The returned soldiers say the men had
dug well within their entertainments.
They had no wood nor forage, and were
feeding the cattle -four. / trust the force
sent to relieve them will find them safe,
ana BRING them back to Fort Rice, where
they must winter.
Yours, TREROR