The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-01
LETTER FROM PEMBINA.
One Thousand Indians in the midst
Of the Red River Settlement.
Gov. Dallas tells them they Cannot
Remain.
THE INDIANS ACTUALLY STARV-
ING.
From our Regular Correspondent.

PEMBINA, D. T., Dec. II, 1868.
To the Editor Of the Pioneer:
Within the last few days we have had several
arrivals from Fort Garry. From the various
reports received apprehend that they will
have some difficulty with the Sioux Indians
over in British North America.
There are about two hundred braves, or near
ly one thousand Indians all told, encamped in
the very midst of the Red River Settlement.
The people have always made a practice of
feeding them when they have favored them
with visit, but no doubt it has been tax
that they have submitted to, but that they were
anxious to throw off, and our arrival at this
place gives them feeling of security, so much
so that they have no hesitation in refusing them
admittance to their houses, or to give them
any provisions.
The Indians will not starve as long as there
is plenty to eat within their reach, and they
have already commenced their depredations by
killing cattle. This will very soon lead to dis
turbances that must inevitably end in war be-
tween the half breeds and the Sioux.
Most assuredly we wish these British subjects
no harm, but if they will allow this band of
murderers to come within their lines for pro-
lection against United States soldiers, they
must take the consequences, be they what they
may.
The people are heartily tired of the wretches,
and express themselves as being willing that
Major Hatch, should come down and either
take the villains prisoners or destroy them,
but the authorities, I believe, as yet say moth
ing, and unless they do, suppose we would
have to remain here, close on the boundary
line, and let the Sioux come up and boot at
us from the other side. One thing that makes
it more aggravating to us is that, Gall reports
have agreed in this particularly Little Six"
has three children, captives-one boy and two
girls. The boy is about seven years old; one
OF the girls is about seven, and the other four
teen years of age. The youngest is said to be
a very bright little girl, with blue eyes and
brown hair. She says her mother was killed
last year. Little Six has offered them for sale,
and it is to be hoped that he will find pur-
chaser, or they deliverer.
This renowned chieftain reports himself AZ
being GOOD Indian" He saws there are
only ten braves in his band that were concern
ed in the massacres of 1862 3-Q much doubt
there being that number that were not,) and
that if a full pardon can be granted him and
his followers, he will give up the ten to Mai.
Hatch. That is all very well as far as it goes.
but it will hardly win.
James McFetridge has just arrived from be-
low a that ittlo Siv unit Of IL:
braves were, when he left, holding council
with Gov. Dallas-he says he was present for
an hour himself-that the Sioux were told that
they could not remain in the settlement, that
provisions were scarce and they could not feed
them. Little Six then asked permission to 90
with his band and winter at Lake Winnipeg.
The Governor told him that his people were
depending upon the fisheries there for subsis-
tence themselves, that he would not allow
them to go to the lake, or to remain in the
settlement. Then We may as well die here
as any where" sal the chief, ''for if we 90
back, the soldiers will destroy US.
Mr.. McFetridge left before the council broke
up;-he says they are in a pitiable condition; ..
that they are absolutely starving and have
nothing except their capuves) to exchange for
food. They are reaping q just reward for the
crimes they have committed, and their suffer-
ings should not be alleviated; but am sure
Hatch's Battalion would put some of them out
of misery il they would venture over this side
of the line.
We have been favored with a slight snow
storm. 1t was very acceptable to us, for the
roads were very slippery, making it difficult
for our animals to travel. A train of OK sleds,
forty in number, has arrived, bringing in about
fifty tons of Quartermaster and Commissary
stores for this command. Another train, of
about the same number, is few days behind.
This, it is expected. will bring up all that was
left at Georgetown
Truly yours, X.