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

menced furious musketry fire. The
garrison returned the fire with equal
vigor and with great effect on the yell
ing demons, who at first hoped by
force of numbers to effect quick en-
trance and had exposed themselves
by bold advance. This was soon
checked, but from the cover of the
slopes their fire was unceasing, while
the very prairie seemed alive with
those whose heads were clothed with
turbans made of grass to conceal their
movements. Little Crows plan in
this attack, in case the first dash from
all sides proved unsuccessful, was to
pour heavy continuous fire into the
fort from every direction, exhausting
the garrison as much as possible, and
to carry the fort later by assault upon
the southwest corner. To this end
he collected the greater portion Of his
forces in that quarter, and, taking
possession of the government stables
and suffers store, the fire literally rid
died the buildings at that angle. 1t
was found necessary to shell these
buildings to dislodge the foe, resulting
in their complete destruction by fire.
Attempts were made to fire the fort
by means of burning arrows but the
roofs being damp from recent rains,
all efforts 70 this end were futile.
Still in pursuance of the plan of bat
tie, the hail of bullets, the whizzing Of
arrows, and the blood-curdling war
whoop were incessant From the ray
inc to the northeast came an especially
heavy attack, the object being to d.
vert as far as practible the defense to
this side, and here was some gallant
and effective service again performed.
Whipple from the northeast corner,
protected in every discharge by the
hot musketry fire of Ceres detach-
ment and the men of Company g to
the left, swept the very grass to its
roots all along the crest Of the slope,
while McGrew, improving the oppor-
tunity, with most conspicuous bravery
ran his howitzer out from the north
west corner to the very edge of the
ravine and delivered several enfilad-
ing volleys of canister down along the
hillside, practically sweeping the
savages from their position.
Now began the conveyance to the
southwest, the Indians passing from
the opposite side in either direction
In moving around the northwest cor
ner wide detour was necessary to
avoid McGrew's range, but the open
prairie rendered the movement plainly
apparent. Divining its object, Nc
Grew hastily reported to Jones what
was transporting, and was authorized
to bring out the twenty-four FOUNDER,
still in park, with which McGrew went
into position on the west line of the
fort and at the south end of the COM
missary building. Meanwhile the fire
in front of Jones' gun had become SO
hot aud accurate as to splinter almost
every lineal foot Of timber along the
top of his barbados, but he still re-
turned shells at shortest possible
range, himself and his gunners most
gallantly exposing themselves in this
service. During the interval in the
fusilade Little Grow was heard urging.
in the imprisoned oratory of battle,
the assault on the position. Jones
double charged his piece with canister
and reserved his fire; meanwhile Nc
Grew had fired one shot from the
twenty-four FOUNDER at the party pass
ing around the northeast, and, train
ing his gun westerly, dropped his
second shell at the point where this
party had by this time joined the re-
serve of squaws, ponies and dogs west
of the main body. A great stampede
resulted; the gun was swung to the
left, bringing it's line of fire between
the two bodies of Indians. Its pom
derous reverberations echoed up the
valley as though twenty guns hae
opened, while the frightful explosion
of it's shells struck terror to the say
ages and effectually prevented con
solidation of the forces. At thi!
juncture Jones depressed his piece
and fred close to the ground, killing
and wounding seventeen savages O
the party who had nerved themselves
to the final assault. Completely de-
mOraliZed by this UNEXPECTED slaught