New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1892-04-06

with fury till sundoWn, when the In
dians drew off and went into camp at
i the foot Of the bluff, three-fourths ofsa
mile above the fort. Every body breathed
easier and the FIRST days experience had
inspired those that were despondent be
fore, with the belief that they coule con-
i tinue successful defence
Some old buildings on the edge of
! the wooded bluff in front of Whips
piece had been occupied by Indians, and
Il constant fusillade was kept up to the
great annoyance of the gunners and
guards on the east side. As dark set.
tied downsoyer the scene, Boesch set
them on fire and thus wiped out one Of
| their most favorable and secure points.
In the evening Jones sent up rockets
as evidence to those who chanced to see
them that our flag was still there. These
were seen at New Ulan, eighteen miles
distant. In the evening the Indian ha-
rangues were heard at the fort, and
some men Of the Rangers and myself
went to the bluff, west Of my still smok-
| ing house, where he could hear distinct-
| ly Little Grow, in forcible oratorY. pro-
claiming the feasibility and the advan-
tage that would result by Wiping out
the Fort the only barrier to the Missi-
Isippi river. They would seize all the
provisions and money in the fort and
would own the land where their fathers
had been buried that had been stolen
from them.L Loud responses ofssHo!Ho!''
signiied their acquescience in the ar
rangement. We also learned that the
force would be augmented indefinitely,
The intelligence thus gained was not
of the most cheering character. We
made it knownto Sergeant Jones and
were enjoined by him to keep it secret,
and keep every one hopeful and spirit
ed. One great distress of mind was
caused by the fear of fire. Everything.
was dry as tinder. The burning of my
dwelling and warehouse during the bat
tie had augmented it, and every pre-
caution was taken to the end that should
one occur, it might be smothered in its
inclpiency. Four scuttles led up
through the ceiling of the piazzas and
roof of the barracks and ladders from
these extended TO the ridge.
had buckets of water at one of these
scuttles next to the roof, and made fire.
quent trips up the ladder for. inspection
during the night, where the roof Of the
whole building could be seen. The In
dians had been firing arrows with light
ed punk to set fire to the roof
The night Of Wednesday wore slowly
away as others that preceded it without
rest or sleep. The men were on post
and by their guns in ceaseless vigil,
Towards morning clouds gathered,
darkness thickened, the muttering thun-
der and distant lightning grew nearer
and louder and fiercer. Heavens artil
lerY and batteries would have seemed
but mimlcry without rain. All had
been wishing and looking and praying
for rain. Soon the heavens opened
with copious showers, prayers had been
answered and all felt more than ever
that the God of battles was on. our side
and saved US from the torch and lighted
arrow Of the remorseless savage.
The morning Of Thursday dawned
upon a weary..anxious multitude. All
was activity. Breast works were built
and strengthened, barricades were con-
structed with cord wood, the commisary
roof was covered with earth, and new
and secure places for defence construct.
ed by the men. No military orders
were given or executed, but every man
knew that, to save himself, he must de-
fend the garrison.
Noon arrived and no enemy had been
seen. It was evident they were waiting
reinforcements. Shortly small parties
We're observed, some sitting in groups
on distant elevations and some were on
horseback galloping over the prairie.
Thus tho day passed, and as darkness
thickened, all were impressed with. a
certainty Of q night attack and massa-
ere before morning, or the attempt to
accomplish our destruction by firing
the buildings.
| Friday morning broke, and the scene
wassunchanged, Early in the day,
about a mile north. the prairie was
lswarming with Indians like a brigade
of cavalry at drill, but less inspiring to
US. Horses galloping and blankets fly
ingg-and soon all disappeared.
Shortly before u o'clock, without
premonition. like the explosion Of a
powder mill, a terrific crash Of musket-
~ opened up on three sides from sta