The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-24
and the barbados were greatly
strengthened.
Shots Fired Near Fort RidgeIy.

Shots Fired Near Fort RdseIy.
In the afternoon, Wednesday, the
booming of guns could be heard in the
direction Of Fort Ridgely. 1t was Little
Crow and his braves making their
fiendish but Intellectual attacks upon
the post in the hopes Of capturing can
non and ammunition with which to
prosecute the campaign down the Min
nesota valley. OF the outcome of the
conflict the men and women of New
Ulm were at that time, of course, un-
certain. Nothing Of note occurred until
Saturday. Volunteers were continually
arriving, and the granting of each ad-
ditional hour put New Ulm in a posi-
ton for more effectual and success
full defense.
On Saturday morning clouds of
smoke were observed in the direction
of the Lafayette settlement, and Lieut..
Huey with seventy-fve men was sent
out to investigate. He was cut off by
the Indians and did not succeed in re-
turning to the beleaguered town, al
though small part of his force fought
their way into the lines of the Indians
and inflicted considerable damage.
After several unsuccessful attempts to
re-enter New Ulm Lieut.. Huey re-
treated toward st. Peter, and on the
way met force under command Of
Capt. E. ST. Julian Cox, the two parties
uniting for mutual protection.
Meanwhile the men Of New Ulm
We're preparing for the fiery ordeal
which was to come. 1t was about 9:30
a. m. when the coming of the Indians
was first noticed, but after that little
difficulty was experienced in following
the line Of their advance. Clouds Of
smoke from the burning farm houses
arose in every direction, and it soon
became evident that the Indians were
IN full
that there were between 800 and 700
engaged.
Toward noon the lookout on the end
house reported them at hand, and the
defenders were ordered to the barri-
cades. Forming in line of skirmishers
Capt. Flandreau and his men advanced
to the limits Of the town and there
matted to await an attack, and it was
not long coming.
From all directions the dusky warri-
ors came focking toward the il1-pro-
tected village. Conspicuous among
them was chieftain mounted upon a.
white horse, and it is believed that he
was none other than the notorious Lit
tie Crow himself. In response to his
orders his followers rapidly deployed
and rushed forward to the attack. The
first assault was prosecuted with vigor,
the savages exhibiting great bravery
and recklessnesS. Such was the force
OF their advance that the skirmishers
were thrown back in a state bordering
upon confusion, and it is now believed
that, had they followed up their advan-
tage they would have carried the
works. They evidently regarded the
sudden retreat as a ruse to draw them
among the buildings, however, and
While they heSitated momentarily, the
defenders rallied to their stations This
was the most threatening period to the
conflict, and by failing to take adj
vantage of it Little Crow lost his golden
opportunity.
Characteristically Savage Move.
The next move was Enthusiastically
savage. Stationing their main body on
the windward side Of the town, the
savages began setting fire to the build
lngs outside the breastworks. Before
the battle Capt. Nix had favored burn
Ing these structures and removing
them from the line of fire, but Capt,
Flandreau opposed the plan, not wish
Ing to destroy the houses unless abso-
lutely necessary. Now it became a
necessity. for the Indians, advancing
under cover of the clouds of smoke
approached within dangerous proxim-
ity to the 'barricade and began shoot
ing down the volunteers posted within.
Sallying from their defenses the latter
compelled the savages to flee and then
applied the torch to the buildings which
were affOrding shelter to the enemy
In this way Turner hall and the Catho-
lie church, with lat other buildings,
were destroyed. Throughout the aft
ernoon and during the entire night
there was no cessation in the fostili-
ties. Occupying the easements and
cellars of the buildings, and crowded
almost to the point or suffocation.
were the women and children, who bore
their sufferings with the utmost forti-
tude and resignation. In the basement
of the Erd house these fearless women
TOOK precautiOn which has few EQUALS
In the annals of history With the
opening of the attack a key of powder
was carried into the cellar and placed
In charge of Mrs. Schmitz. Had the
indians conquered, she stood ready to
apply the match and blow herself and
companions into eternity rather than
fall victims to their heartless torture.
A sortie made in the evening resulted
In the killing of Capt. Dodd and sew
eral of his men and from the time the
sun sank until it rose again the de-
renders were constantly on the alert.
Inc scene was one of fearful gran
deur. Rifle shots echoed and re-echoed
over the place, the shouts and yells Of
the combatantS were incessant and
over all was cast a deep, red glow from
the burning buildings. With the COM
Ing OF Sundays sun the Indians began
70 eV1noe a desire to raise the siege.
This Is attributed to the mounting Of