The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-08-20

Grew wheeled his howitzer rapidly to
the northwest corner of the fort and
went into position on the west side of
the most westerley building in the row.
All these forces we're at once engaged
in hard fight at short range.
The infantry, advantageously locat-
ed around Whipple, kept up hot
fire, enabling him to work his gun to
good advantage, and some admirable
work was here performed. The men
of Company G similarly covered Nc
Crews operations. McGrew first
trained his gun to bear northeasterly
on the most northerly point at which
the enemy appeared, and from which
heavy fire was coming; but his fuse
had been cut for range of quarter
of mile and the first shell, though
passing close to the grass, exploded
over the ravine. Running his piece
quickly behind the building, McGrew
cut his next fuse to it's shortest limit.
reloaded, ran the howitzer out amidst
shower of bullets, and exploded his
second she'll in the very midst of this
extremely troublesome party, wholly
dislodging the savages from their
position. The converging fire of these
two howitzers, with their musketry
supports, soon drove the Indians from
the buildings they had reached and
forced them back to the line of the
ravine. The plan to capture the fort
in the first rush had been frustrated.
Meanwhile, upon the attack at the
east, the pickets in other directions,
in accordance with their instructions,
had rallied on the fort, and Little
Grow quickly closed in with the bal
ance of his force on the west and
south to divert, as far as possible, the
defense from his main attack. Ord
nance Sergeant Jones, with his six
FOUNDER feld-piece, took position at
the opening at the southweat angle of
the square, supported by Lieuts. Cul-
yer and German, while the remaining
men we're posted in and around the
various buildings and sheds in the
most advantageous positions obtain
able. Jones' position was particular
ly exposed by reason of the short ra-
vine before described, up which the
savages swarmed to easy musket
range in large numbers, compelling
him to deliver his fire under the most
trying circumstances.
1t becoming soon apparent that the
Indians we're in large enough force
to maintain a continuous siege if SO
disposed, and that all the artillery
ammunition was likely to be required
it was decided to move at once into
the stone buildings, from the maya
zine, the ammunition remaining there
consisting principally of the supply
for the extra field-pieces. The maya.
zine stood on the open prairie to the
northwest and distant some two hun.
dred yards, the one quarter from
which the Indians could not approach
under cover, McGrew now took posi-
ton so as to command any locality
from which men detailed for this du
ty could be reached by the enemy
and the ammunition was all safely
brought in. Little Crows origna
plan having met with such vigorous
repulse on the northeast, the attack
ing force was distributed to all quar-
ters, and the battle became general
For five hours an incessant fire wa!
kept up on the fort. The men in thu
garrison were directed to waste NJ
ammunition and fired only when con
fdent their shots would be effective
but found sufficient opportunity t.
maintain a steady return of the enc
my's fire. The artillery did most eff
ficient service mall directions through
out the entire engagement. At darl
firing ceased, but each remained wher'
night found him, all in almost nom
entary expectation of further attacl
by the willy foe. Little Grow had
however, withdrawn his forces to tn
lower agency. Rain commenced falel
ing at midnight and continued
throughout most of the following day
Thursday passed without an engage
ment, and the day was improved b.
the construction of barbados, mad
of everything available, for the bette
protection of the gunners, especial,
at the southwest corner where Jone