New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1896-08-26

country west Of The 1isslssip ppi,and were
a very formidable and warlike people.
Z In 1851 two treaties were made with
the Sioux, one at Mendota and one ct;
Traverse des Sioux. through which all
their lands in Minnesota were purchased,
and they were located upon small res
ervation on the upper waters Of the Min
nesota River, consisting Of strip Of
land ten miles wide on each side of the
River, the southern extremity Of which
was only a. few miles below the point
where we now stand. In 184S the gov
ernment had erected fort on the upper
Mississippi River, in the Chippewa
country, called Fort Gaines, the name Of
which was afterwards in 1850 changed
to Fort Ripley.
In the years 1852 and 1858, immigra-
ton into the Territory was rapid ,and the
United States decided to build a fort in
the Sioux country for the protection of
the settlers, which resulted in the erec-
ton of Fort Rldgely on the Minnesota.
Ridgely was commenced in 1853. and
soon after completed, and was named
after Major Randolph Rldgely, one of
the heroes of the Mexican War who fell
al the battle of Monterey. These were
the first forts erected west or north of
old Fort Smelling. Rldgely was in no
sense fort; it was not walled or forti-
fed, but was simply collection of build
ings, some of stone and some Of wood.
Fort Ridgely was never called upon
for any serious Indian service until the
year 1857 when vagabond band ofSioux,
under Ink paduta, murdered settle
ment of about forty two people in north
western Iowa and south western Mime
sofa, and carried into captivity four
white women. Company GAP, of the
Tenth United States Infantry, under
Captain Barnard II. Bee and Lieut.. Muir
ray, then stationed at Ridgely. made a
terrible winter march from the Fort to
the locality Of the troubles, but did not
succeed IN Furnishing the Indians. Two
of the captive women were subsequently
rescued, and a son of Ink paduta was
killed on the Yellow Medicine River by
a part of this same company, ,under Lieat.
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. 1 can answer that question fully.
Col. Alexander, of the 10th. and myself,
q 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 Inv
expedition which had been sent, olt to
rescue the women, as we dared net at
tack until assured OF their safety. Just
at the moment the expedition returned.
an Older arrived for the whole garrison
Of the Fort 10 start immediately for
Fort Bridge, in Utah, to take part in
putting down the threatened Mormon re-
bellion,and the boat that brought the or
der carried off the troops. The affair was
soon forgotten, as all such matters are In
a very new country. Had it not been
fol this unexpected turn III affairs, we
would most undoubtedly have destroyed
Ink paduta and all his followers,
Quiet prevailed at the Fort until 1862,
when, on the 9th of August of that
year. the Sioux rebellion broke out, and
everybody that could reach the Fort fled
to it for sa:ety. It contained il small
garrison, which was augmented by refu-
gees and others who got there before it
was attacked. On the day@of the OUT
break the garrison was depleted by the
loss of Capt. Marsh, It's commanding Of
ficer, and twenty three of lis men who
were ambushed and killed at the Red
wood Ferry. This loss was soon made
up, however, by the arrival OF Lient. I.
j. Sheehan and fifty one men of Compa-
ny G, 9th Minnesota Infantry, who, on
receiving a dispatch announcing thesper-
il of the Fort, made a forced march of
forty-two miles In the shortest time re-
corded IN history, and on his arrival lie
took command of the garrison and cons
Quoted the fight to the end. #St1
On the Goth Of August the first attack
was made upon the Fort by the Indians,
and it remained in state of PRACTICAL
siege until the 9th, during.Which time
it withstood several determined attacks,
but Twas finally relieved by General Sib-.
ley with 4 large force. {
After the most vigorous assault made
on the Fort, which occurred on the 22nd.