New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1891-08-26
new uLM'S DEFENDERS.
from first page

since then the old defenders have met
here, have renewed old acquaintance
and refreshed their memery on incidents
that happened 1T that time. To-day it
is the dedication of q monument erect
ed by the state in commemoration of
those days of danger that have brouhht
us together. Since the beginning of
history, we find that people have erect
ed monuments to mark great events or
in memory of great men in order to
carry their names down to posterity Al
though it has taken the state years to
do that which, under the circumstances
is simply an act of justice, we console
ourselves with the proverb, better late
Than never. No doubt, some of the old
defenders expected something more i'm
posing, especially, considering the i'm
portance to the state of those events
and the state s well.known munitcence
in other matters, but the erection of ev-
en- this monument is ample proof that
our deeds are recognized, and the know
ledge of this together with the feeling
in every mans breast of having done
his duty is fully satisfactory to US all.
That there are errors in the inscription
Of the monument is much to be regret
ted, but may New Ulm prosper till in
the near future the buildings
around the monument are so large that
they overshadow it, till the traffic in her
streets is so large that the monument is
in the way; then it will the more re-
mind the people of the deeds which it
was erected to commemorate.
AS to the causes of the outbreak of
the Sioux, I will make no remarks but
simply express my honest conviction
that as long as there are sufficient
number of able-bodied Indians within
the territory OF this grandest of Repub-
lies and as long as they shall be treated
as they have been treated by the U. S.
government and that part of the white
population with whom they come in con.
tact, so long will we have repetitions
of the horrors of '62, IA, and'9O. The
patience of the red man becomes exhaus-
ted, he retaliates under the injustice of
civilized man and innocent and guilty
alike fall under the blow of his toma-
hawk.
AS regards the battles of New Ulm
you must allow me to give short
sketch for the benefit of those of you
who were not participants. The settlers
of the town and surrounding country
lived in friendly communication with
their Indian neighbors. None of our
settlers of those days had the remotest
idea that they would ever harm any of
US. The first news of the revolt and of
the deeds of horror at the Lower Agen-
cy arrived here little after ~ o'clock,
noon, on Monday, the 18th of August.
A Frenchman- came galloping along
Minnesota ST. on pony covered with
foam, stopped at the socalled French
store (uow Baarsches building) and
told the clerks in that store what had
happened at the Lower Agency. The
news spread rapidly among the few
business men along the street, but very
little credence was given the report.
The Indians hypocrisy was incredible.
A very short time after the remnants of
recruiting party, that had gone out in
the morning through the town of Mil
ford to get recruits in obedience to
call from Pres. Lincoln for more forces
10 suppress the rebellion, came back to
town with several of the party dead
and number wounded. This, of
course, left no doubt as to the intentions
of our red neighbors. The then sheriff
of Brown Co., Mr.. c. Roos, Immediately
issued call to all able-bodied men to
organize, AMI appointed MIR. Jacob Nix
commandant of the place.
According to Capt. Nix's own state
ment there were only from 60 to 70
men in the various companies and some
of them aimed with nothing but pitch
forks, clubs etc. But no case is known
where one of those present failed to do
his duty. The afternoon and night of
the 18th passed without any disturbance
and some most primitive Notifications
were erected. A little after 2 o'clock
on the l9ththe sayages appeared and
made an attack on the town. and sue
ceeded in firing seven buildings in the
northwestern part of town, but onl
men fought gallantly and when the first
help from outsiders arrived, the com bat
was decided in our favor and the last
Indians were fast retreating if they
were not already gone. [ give this
sketch of the fight on the 10Th only be-
cause seueral historians as we'll as pub
lie speakers have either ignored thi,
first engagement or made it appear a;
if we had been saved from the first en-
gagement OF. onslougt of the Wild herds
of Indians by outside assistance. l dc
not in the least wish to cast a doub
upon the bravery of our friends from
Mankato, st. Feter and LIE Sueur, fol
we all know that without their gallan
assistance we could never have resist
ed the second, more violent and better
planned attack that followed on Satur-
day the Esd. The old residents Of New
Ulm as well as those of to day will new
er forget what we owe them. Without
their help New Ulm would have beer
reduced to a pile of ashes and all of III
would have found our graves beneath it
THE GREATNESS OF 1T.