Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-08-25
From the Thirtieth REGIMENT

Fort Rsagey-What !! consisted o1-Th<
-Harch-Gezseral Appearance Of tie Country
incidents by tbs Way, ETC., etc.
Correspondence of the State journal.
GARRISON FOR Fort WADswoRTH, D. IT,
Camp on Kettle Lake, Aug. ID, 1864.
In compliance with previous promise, en-
brace this opportunity Of acquainting your
readers of the departure and progress of our
expedition for the wilds of the great North
west, under command of Major John Clowney,
OF the Both Wisconsin volunteers
Pursuant to orders, the 9Th of July wit
messed our departure from Fort Ridgely The
expedition comprised companies B, E, and
K, Both Wis. Vol. Inf company VI, I'd Min
nesota cavalry, and three guns of Jones' bat
terry, Sd Minnesota Light Artillery. The ac-
companying train reached . miles. Twelve
miles march brought US to Camp Hope, on
the Lower Sioux Agency, overlooking the
Minnesota river. This agency, once the
pride of the white man, now lies complete
ruin on the summit Of the overhanging banks
OF the deep waters of the beautiful St.
Peters
July love resumed our march, and Is
miles brought US to Redwood Lake, where
we went into camp. Our resting place for
the night was in full view of the defence
thrown up by Captain Pope in 1862. Graves
OF whites and Indians encompassed US on all
sides. The remains Of the whites had been
exhumed, and funeral rites gone through with
by relatives, friends and acquaintance. Thus
has the unfortunate been cared for who fell
by the savage hand of the red man in their
furious onset August 18th, 1862; while on
the other hand the ravens of the air have
preyed upon the dingy carcasses Of the red
men till nothing remains to mark their rest
ing place but hollow graves and Wondering
bones.
July ll.-At 5:15 p. m. we left Redwood
Lake, and after marching till fifteen minutes
Of 9, camped on the open prairie three miles
from water, but within ragne of timber, and
went to bed supperless. This day We march
ed miles.
July l2.-At 9 a. m. we left and marched
five miles, and coming to water halted for
the day. Our camping ground was in full
view of the former residence of the notorious
Joe Brown, the husband of so many Indian
women, the father of a multitude of half
breeds, and the possessor of an estate
of 5000 acres. Joe was captured by the In
dians in 1862, and his scalp saved from the
scalping knife through the intercession of
his "better-halves." At present Joe is the
leading scout of Gen. Sully, and is said to be
one of the best in the Northwest.
July 13.-At about $50 A. NJ, we broke
camp, passing on the Wood Lake route,
where desperate battle between whites and
Indians was fought. In the engagement the
Indians are said to have numbered 5000 and
the whites 1900. The loss sustained by the
whites was Is killed, that of the Indians I'M
TNl,1rx
ing. At 10 A. NJ. we crossed the Yellow
Medicine at the Upper Sioux Agency. This
place retains every indication of once fur
ishing place. Natural advantages for manu-
featuring are abundant. Climbing to the
summit Of the hills on the western side of
Yellow Medicine, a sad and desolating spec
tacle Sreets the eye. Stretching for miles
lies fertile plain, once subservient to the
hand Of the husbandman, now assuming a
harsh and primitive state. Once beautiful
buildings of brick now stand bereft of roofs
sections of walls etc. Household furniture
lies rotting, while miles of fences are torn
down, burned and strewed around Years of
hard toll have been ruthessly DESTROYED by
savage fends, men and women butchered.
and children tortured to death. We marched
twelve miles this day, camped on an eleva-
ton of ground, close by good water, with
abundance Of pasturage.
Before proceeding further, will say that
the Upper Sioux Agency, on the Yellow Med
icine, is the last place where signs of civiliza-
ton will greet US. Henceforth we are to en-
counter the wilds of Minnesota and Dakotah.
A more beautiful section Of country than the
Upper Sioux Agency is very seldom met with.
Wood and water are abundant. Materials
for building purposes are convenient. Brick
of the first class can be manufa ctured, in
proof of which stands kiln already burned,
awaiting use. / understand the Sioux reser-
walton lands are to be appraised by three
commissioners, (already appointed) and sold
for the benefit of the United States. The
lands comprise 10000 acres, lying on the
south and west banks of the Minnesota river,
in strip from nine to twelve miles long,
running from Fort Ridgely to Big Stone Lake.
have been creditably informed that the dav
is not far distant when this country will have
the advantage Of being penetrated by two
railroads-one extending from Winona, the
other from Minneapolis, running due west to
the foot of Big Stone Lake. hold that the
security of this country from all Indian dep
relations is complete and emigrants seeking
a home in the far West can here repose in
safety.
July l4.-At 5! o'clock A. NJ, broke camp
and marched till o'clock ?. NJ, making 20
miles. The day was exceedingly warm men
and animals suffered much from dust and the
lack of water; several oxen fell by the way.
Sloughs the most filthy were explored for wa
ter, and finally an article unfit for man or
beast was found, and devoured as if the best
This days march was over a continuous plain,
no tree or shrub to relieve the eye from mo-
notony. Our route led US past Camp Relief
u-bn -, h. plS +to, A.
1900, comprising women, children and $50
to the keeping Of Brig Gen. Sibley. We
camped on an eminence overlooking the
peaceful waters Of the Minnesota. At this
point of the stream wild fruits are plentiful
July l5.-At precisely the hour of the day
previous We packed tents, but owing to the
fatigue Of the l4th we made but eight miles
march Coming in full view of Lac qui Pare
| river, which is bounded on both sides by
broken hills, the ravines thickly wooded by
ordinarily sized trees and dense growth of
underbrush, Company being in front, the
lst platoon was "deployed in line" and Skin
mished the passage for the redskins" the
I'd platoon following after, and each alternate
company doing likewise; but "redskins !"
were scarce in this vicinity, and many of the
boys evinced their confidence by taking to
picking wild gooseberries, and did not make
good their appearance till the western hills
of the Lac qui Parle had been reached by the
entire expedition. The utility of having the
rear company skirmish the passage after the
entire train had passed did not appear evil
dent to me, and failed to see the military
necessity" of it on that occasion. All things
being satisfactory, high hill was chosen
as our camping ground, giving US a COM
handing view Of the immediate country for
miles. This day was as hot as The previous
one, and the atmosphere more Oppressive.