The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-08-27

on the site before the last vestige of
the old Fort disappeared.
Three o'clock was the hour set for
the opening OF the programme. Prior
to that time the immense throng OF
sight-seers roamed about at will, view
ing the monument, reading the in
scriptions. enjoying the beautiful
scenery lup and down the Minnesota
river, and renewing old acquaintance
some of whom had not met in 81
years-since the siege.
The dedication exercises we're held
in the ravine east of the site of the old
Fort. From up this ravine the In
dams came and made an attack on
the Fort from the east. The stage for
this occasion was constructed halfway
down the ravine. The background
was decorated with the National flag,
in the centre of which was an immense
painting of the Fort as it stood in
1862. The front Of the stage was dec
Grated with small flags. Up the ra-
vine were placed seats, so that the
whole was given the appearance of a
frst-class theatre. A special section
of the seats was reserved for the de-
tenders of Fort Ridgley, together
with their families. This section was
filled with people.
Badges were distributed among the
defenders, during which time the as
semblage on the platform was going
on. There was Judge Flandrau, Adj
iutant General Muehlberg, Werner
Boesch, A. j. Anderson, Maj. Hol-
combe, Maj. Powell, B. H. Randall,
Judge Egan, F. P. George, DIR. A. w.
Daniels, G. H. Hopkins, G. r. Woods,
n. X. Culver, Chas. Culver, Capt. j.
G.. McGrew, Col. VIM. Pfaender,
Judge Weber, Presiding Elder Hans
com, 10. Fourier, and other notables,
including the ladies heretofore men
toned.
The dedicatory services we're opened
by prayer by Presiding Elder Hans
com of this district, after which Judge
Flandrau delivered the speech of pre-
sentation to the State on behalf of the
commission. Judge Flandrau went
into history, going back to the time
when Minnesota was organized as a
State and coming up to the time when
the battles were fought-the accounts
of which we're given in the last issue
of this paper. He concluded with the
following remarks:
"The logical conclusion to draw from
the results of the battles of Fort
Ridgley 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 le-
gend for our Fort Ridgley 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 commemorate the
event has erected the stately monu-
ment which we dedicate to-day. AS
it speaks to the world with it's tongue
of bronze, it is In memory of the fall
en-; in recognition of the living and
for the emulation of future genera
TONS The committee, 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"
Gen. Muehlberg made a most befit-
ting reply.
On his acceptance Of the monument
the Artillery company fired salute
The principal speech was made by
: Capt. j. G. McGrew of Duluth, who
had charge of a 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
we're interspersed with musical selec-
tions by the New Ulm and Fairfax
bands and by vocal quartette and
by a recitation by Mrs. Steiner OF
New Ulm.
The monument is splendid struc,
ture. 1t is forty-two feet in height
of granite and bronze, contains appro