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

in the fort we're furnished to the men
who seemed most likely to handle
them to advantage, these men being
placed on duty with the soldiers, of
whom, besides the sick and hospital
attendants, only twenty-five were
available for active duty. At about
noon there arrived at the fort in charge
of G. G.. Wykoff, clerk of the Indian
superintendent, and his party of four,
long the expected annuity money ,S7l,-
600 in gold. Here this party was of
course halted. AS the day passed,
the frightened fugitives continued
to come in, until at nightfall more
than two hundred had arrived. In
telligence from Capt. Marsh so anx-
iously awaited came not. Pickets
we're posted in evey direction by Lieut..
Gere in person, instructed as this du-
ty required nearly every man in the
command, to rally promptly on the
fort in case of an attack in any quar-
ter. Shortly after dark, the two men
sent forward by Sergeant Bishop
reached the fort, bringing to the young
officer in command the direful news
of the slaughter of his comrades and
the death of his commander; tale
whose import, in view of the possible
result to the helpless and we'll nigh
unprotected mass of frightened hui
mainly now in his charge, was suffici-
ent to apall the stoutest heart. Know
ing, however, that new regiments we're
at this time forming at Fort Smelling,
the nearest military post, Lieut.. Gere,
without a moments delay, penned a
dispatch to the commanding officer of
that post, briefly detailing the situa-
ton and asking for immediate rein
forcement: also, requesting that off,
Ger to acquaint Gov. Ramsey with the
state of affairs. This dispatch was
written at $50 o'clock, and sent for
ward Immediately by Private William
j. Sturgis, mounted on the best horse
in the garrison. The messenger was
was also instructed to report the stu
alton to Lieut.. Culver and Agent
Galbraith at St. Peter, fastening if
possible, their return with the men in
their charge,
Pending the uncertainty concerning
the result of Capt. Marsh's expedition,
apprehension of an attack upon the
fort had not been grave, but when the
extent of the disaster to the greater
part of its usual garrison was fully
known, such contingency was indeed
imminent. Immediately upon the
dispatch of the courier, Lieut.. Gere
ordered the removal of all the women
and children, who were scattered in
the frame houses forming three sides
of the fort, to the stone building used
as soldiers quarters, which stood on
the north side of the square; but be.
fore this order could be executed, one
of the citizens on picket fired his gun
and came running in crying "Indians'
Panic beyond description seized the
refugees, who rushed frantically fol
the quarters, terror stricken men ever
breaking through the windows il
their haste for safety. The few sol
diers, true to their discipline, rallied
promptly to their designated positions
the alarm proved false, but good il
effect, as now all but the fighting mer
we're in the quarters; the pickets were
replaced and the first night of unceas
ing vigel wore away. The Indians
hilarious at the desolation they hac
wrought during the day, we're at the
agency, celebrating in mad orgies
their success, and neglected their op
portunity to capture what proved tt
be the barrier to the devastation O
the Minnesota Valley. Tuesday
morning dawned on mingled hope
and apprehension for the coming hours
and when the sunlight shone upon thu
prairies, every quarter was closely
scanned from the roof of the highest
building through the powerful tele
scope fortunately at hand. At abou
nine o'clock Indians began congregat
ing on the prairie some two miles ives
of the fort, mounted on foot and il
wagons, where in plain view from tn
fort council was held. This council
was addressed by Little Grow, ant
their movements for the day decided
upon. While this was in progress
cheers of welcome announced the ar