Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1882-03-02
Old Time Soldering on Tie Frontier.

Interview with Gen. James Watson Webb
Lapsing again into reflective mood
Gen, Webb went back to his early life, and
the "Reminiscences of his career as & soldier.
II spent" he said, "rina years in the
aEmy, thirty four years as editor OF tbs
Courier nRd Enquirer, and nine years in
the DIP jona1lc servlc9. j entered the army
at II, and al is commanded Fort Greshert,
on Lake Huron, with 10000 Indians under
me-. At that time Detroit had 1900 inhab-
itante.
Continuing his "reminiscences, Gen Webb
told the reporter how in January, 1922, he
volunteered to save the garrison at SIT.
Peters, the Falls CT st. Anthony. by going
from Chicago to Rock Island for the pur-
pose of warning them and having them
send word up the river to Sc. Petels. The
Potto~atonaies had invited The Sioux to
Join with them and surprise the fort,
and the indian agent at Chicago
was informed of the scheme by 6
friendly attowatomie. The commander Of .
to 60 on the periIous journey. but called
for volunteers, ana Gen. Webb volun.
teerea He started with a soldier and an
Indian guide. and made his way TO o French
fur traders shanty OF the Rockairef with.
the intention Of procuring 9 Winnebago
Indian to guide him TO Rock Island. He
was secreted iii an upper room until after
dark aaG had the pleasure OF listening to-
an Indian war dance in the room below.
After ii got quiet his host crept cautiously
to his loft and asked him what he wanted.
He told him he wanted q Winnehago guide
to Rock Island. The trader Informed hlnl
that the racket he had just listened to
was o war dance between the PottoWat-
emies and the Winnebagos, who were in
league to cut OF the garrison Of St. Peters,
nd Of course, he could not furnish him
with a guide. He advised him to make all
would not only disgrace him, but H#onld
leave the unprotected garrison to me
mercy Of The sayageB. So no resolved
to push on, starting at 2 o'clock ID
the morning., getting safely through,
and ayerted the impending calamity at ST
Peters. That = said Gen. Webb in CON.
clusion, was the kind OF service the army
had to perform in those days. But, ir
looking back over my long and eveIfu
life, have come to the cLnclusion that
| left scenes of peace and quiet Tor those o.
strife and warfare when { resigned froIn
| the army and entered the field OF journal,
| ism. Ihad a very lively time OF it indeed
while + remained in active life, and do q
great deal of pen work yet. can write air
! most as we'll as ever I could, and seidonl
| find it necessary to revise or change WllaS
4 have written. But you really must excuse.
/ me- from talking more to- day. as ] expect
all Of my children here to-day TO dinner
and must save little strength Tor their
/ entertainment. I hive ten chill drsn and o
great many grandehild ren, and expect q
great deal Of pleasure from the expected
family reunion this afternoon. Yes, my
health is good, though / am weak and easily
i fatigued, and my appetite is - good as ~
ever was. have always been very arnbi-
1 tious, and have got through life SO far OF
\ two meals q day, and meat but once.
Ferdinand Danger the professional in
ventor Of popular games, has Just aied y