The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-08-27

son OF Ink-padnta was killed on the Yellow
Medicine river by q part OF this same COM
pany. under Lieut. Murray and squad Of
volunteers, which was the only punishment
ever inflicted upon Ink-paduta's band.
The question is frequently asked why
this massacre was. allowed to pass unno-
ticed. can answer that question fully
Col. Alexander, Of the Tenth, and myself
Il then had charge of the Sioux planned
an attack upon Ink-paduta's band, which
we were to execute with five companies Of
regulars as soon as we heard from my ex-
petition, which had been sent out to rescue
the women, as we dared not attack until
assured Of their safety. Just at the moment
the expedition returned, an order arrived
for the whole garrison Of the fort to start
Immediately for Fort Bridger, in Utah, to
take part in putting down the threatened
Mormon rebellion, and the boat that brought
the order carried off the troops. The affair
was soon forgotten, as all such matters are
IN very new country. Had it not been
LOT THIS unexpected turn in affairs, we would
Laost undoubtedly have destroyed Jnk-pa-
duta and all his followers. -.
"Quiet prevailed at the fort until 1862.
when, on the 18th of August Of that year,
the Sioux rebellion broke out, and every
body that could reach the fort fed to it for
safety. It contained small garrison, which
was augmented by refugees and others who
got there before it was attacked, On the
day Of the outbreak the garrison was de-
pleted by the loss Of Capt. Marsh, its COM
manding officer, and -twenty-three Of his
men, who were ambushed and killed at the
Redwood ferry. This loss was soon made
up, however, by the arrival Of Lieut.. T. j.
Sheehan and fifty-one men Of Company G.
Fifth Minnesota infantry, who, on receiving
a dispatch announcing the peril Of the fort;
made forced march Of forty-two miles in
the shortest time recorded in history, and
on his arrival he took command Of the gar
rison and conducted the fight to the end.
ION the Goth. Of August the first attack
was made upon the fort by the Indians, and
1t remained in state Of practical siege
until the 9th, during which time it with
stood several determined attacks, but was
finally relieved by Gen. Sibley with large
force. After the most vigorous assault made
on the fort, which occurred on the 22d Of
August, the Indians in a body attacked
New Ulm, about eighteen miles down the
repulsed. These two defeats put them on
the retreat and Gen. Sibley's command
kept them going until they were driven
across the Missouri river.
1.-THE logical conclusion to draw from the
results of the battles Of Fort Ridgely and
New Ulm is that they saved the State Of
Minnesota. As an old Indian expressed it,
in speaking of their effect upon his people,
the door was closed against them, and
we have adopted this sentence as the
legend for our Fort Ridgely medal: "Tiyopa,
na-ta -ka-pi, they shut the door. The state
fully recognizing the historical Importance
of the victory won at the fort, to commem-
monument which we dedicate to-day. As
1t speaks to the world with it's tongue Of
bronze, it Is In memory Of the fallen; In
recognition of the living and for the emul-
alton of future generations.' The commit
tee, to which was entrusted it's design and
erection, has completed it's labors, and now,
sir, through you, we deliver it to- the state,
to remain for all time as an evidence that
Minnesota appreciates and will reward the
gallantry Of her sons, who live for her
honor and who die in her Defense"
Other Exercises.
Gen. Nuremberg made most betting re-
ply. The principal speech was by Capt. ].
cannon during the battles. He was followed
by Col. Sheehan and Capt. Culver, each of
whom gave interesting sketches of the dark
days of 1862. The exercises were inter-
spersed with musical selections by the New
Ulm and Fairfax bands and by a vocal
quartet and by recitation by Mrs. Steiner
of New Ulm.
THE monument is a splendid structure. It
is forty-two feet in height, of granite and
brcnZe, contains appropriate inscriptions
and a handsome medallion Of Lieut.. T. j.
Sheehan, the commander, as he looked at
twenty-three years of age. Altogether the
monument is believed to be the best of the
kind in the Northwest. It was, built by the
Peterson Granite Company of st. Paul.
Great credit is due Capt. Charles II. Hop
kins of Fairfax for his superintendent Of
the monument erection and for the excellent
arrangements which made it's dedication so
complete a success The defense Of Fort
Ridgely was perhaps the most notable event
in the history Of Minnesota, and the people
are to be congratulated on the monument
which so appropriately commentaries it.
A most interesting feature was the pres
entation on behalf Of the state by Gen.
Nuremberg Of bronze medals to the actual
defenders of the fort, about forty of whom
were present. The medals were specially
designed by the commission and are not
only artistic but appropriate. They bear
a wreath of the moccasin flower instead Of
the traditional laurel, and the motto is In
the Sioux language in words meaning ''They
kept the door shut"